Cover Letters

Your cover letter is the unique place where you explain to the employer how your experiences, skills, and interests are a fit for the position you are applying for. The employer has written a job posting describing the work that needs to be and the skills they desire in candidates. Your cover letter addresses those needs to be done with examples of work you have done in the past and skills you possess.

Resume

Your one page document outlining your relevant experiences

Cover Letter

A unique document that explains exactly how your skills and experience are a fit for this position.

Job Posting

Organization's description of the work they need done and the skills they desire.

Creating Cover Letters with Impact

Job postings can provide you with a wealth of information about the skills that an employer deems essential for a well-qualified candidate. Once you identify key words that signal these skills, you can use your qualifications to provide specific and tailored examples to prove to an employer how your skills can meet their needs.

If a job posting is not available, use your knowledge of the industry, LinkedIn, or the organization's website to gather clues. Pursue an informational interview with an alumnus to learn more about the company and position. You can also make an appointment with a career coach for assistance.

Follow the steps below to write a cover letter that speaks directly to the needs of the position.

Use Organization Research to Address Culture and Fit.

Pursue an informational interview with someone in the organization or use the organization’s website to learn about what the organization values in its business and its people. Use that information in your opening paragraph to explain why you’re interested.

2. Identify Key Skills Areas Listed in the Job Posting.

Keywords can signal what an employer considers important or essential in hiring for a position. Look carefully for ”qualifications” or “required skills,” such as analytical skills, communication, teamwork, and computer skills. Highlight or underline these skills in the job description.

3. Prioritize Skills to Address in your Letter.

Choose to focus on 2-3 skills that either seem to be prevalent in the posting, organization information, and your conversations about the organization, or the ones that you have the best examples for.

4. Identify Proof of your Qualifications.

Next, prove that you have the key skills they are looking for in an ideal candidate. Examples can come from your part-time job, class projects, study abroad, volunteer, or extra-curricular experience. Unique examples can make you stand out as a candidate. You can create a chart like this one to help organize your thoughts.

Teamwork

Sorority fundraising committee
Supply chain case competition

Decision-Making, Problem-Solving

Choosing my major
Rearranging res hall tour guide schedules on a snow day

Planning, Organization, Prioritization

Working 20 hours per week + full credit load + volunteer tutoring
Organizing co-workers for the office move

Communication

MGMT 1001 book club project with a difficult team member
An internship supervisor who worked in another city

5. Tailor Your Letter to Each Position you are Applying for.

Use examples of your past experience, coursework, or memberships to highlight your interest in the position and field. Demonstrate that you have the key skills the organization desires, utilizing words similar to theirs. Provide specific evidence and outcome statements to demonstrate your qualifications.

Tip

An email may serve as your cover letter if you are applying to a smaller organization or to a position with no formal posting. Use the same cover letter concepts and format to write your email, and then attach your resume.

6. Proofread!

Your cover letter is a chance to demonstrate your writing and communication skills. Make sure that your grammar and spelling are error-free. Have someone else review your letter. Utilize peer career coach drop-ins and the U of M Writing Center for help.

General Cover Letter Outline

Goldy Gopher

321 19th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55455

gopher@umn.edu • 612-123-1234 • linkedin.com/in/gopher

(Use the same header formatting from your resume)

Date

Hiring Manager’s Name, if known

Organization

Street Address

City, State Zip Code

Salutation:

Introduction: 1 paragraph (or 2 brief paragraphs). Indicate the role you’re applying for and why you’re interested in the role and/or company. Explain how you learned about the job if you were referred by someone who works there, a recruiter, or another personal connection. List 2-3 qualifications that are your strongest connections/fit for this specific position at this specific organization. (It can be helpful to think of a cover letter like an academic paper. In the first paragraph, the introduction, you detail your “thesis,” and in subsequent paragraphs, you’ll add “evidence.” At the end, you’ll tie everything together with a conclusion.)

Body: 2-3 paragraphs. Introduce one of your attributes (from your introduction) and state why it’s relevant to the position you’re applying for. (If you list two qualifications, you should have two paragraphs to discuss each of those attributes.) Then outline evidence of this attribute by offering examples from your experience, education, or projects. Customizing your cover letter to the role you’re applying to is a must. Connect your experience to the job posting to explain why the role you’re applying to is genuinely exciting and a good fit.

Repeat for 1-2 more paragraphs, depending on space and prioritizing your most relevant qualifications and examples. Your goal is to show the hiring manager you have the experience they’re looking for and

you’d be successful in the role. (You’ll find an example of a cover letter at z.umn.edu/CDclexample – pay attention to the second paragraph, where the applicant provides evidence of their most relevant skills and qualifications.)

Conclusion: 1 paragraph. Reiterate your enthusiasm and fit for the role. Thank the employer for their time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Your first and last name (If you have a digital signature, you can include it here)

What if no Cover Letter is Required or it's Optional?

A poorly-written cover letter can do much more damage than a well-written cover letter can do good! If an organization does not ask for a cover letter, they probably won’t read it. If you choose to submit one, make sure it’s well-tailored for that specific job and that the grammar and spelling are flawless.

Cover Letter Dos and Don'ts

Do

Address your letter to a named individual. Avoid "Dear Sir or Madam" and "To whom it may concern." Always address your letter to the specific hiring manager when possible. In the case you are not able to identify this person, you may open with "Dear Hiring Manager for [name of position]."
Send a tailored letter to each employer. Target a specific position.
Keep things simple. Using complicated, lengthy sentences will make your letter cumbersome and a difficult read for recruiters. Make it articulate and easy to understand.
Keep your letter short and sweet. Do not use more than one page. Generally, each paragraph should have no more than 3-5 sentences.
Quantify and give examples of your skills and qualifications similar to how you write your resume.
Mention the most impressive skills and characteristics - remember, you only have a few seconds to make an impact, so do not make them search for your best skills.
Proofread everything you send to a potential employer. Ask a friend or meet with a career coach to review your cover letter.

Don't

Assume you know the gender identity of the person you are addressing your cover letter to. If you are unsure, address them using their full name.
Use a cover letter to apologize for grades, lack of experience, etc. Instead, present all of the positive things you offer.
Send out mass mailing of your cover letter and resumes. This has extremely low odds for success in today's job market. Personalize and individualize each letter.
Send a cover letter that contains any misspellings or grammatical errors. Always double and triple check before you send.
Focus you letter on what the company can do for you. Rather, focus on how you can contribute to the success of the organization. If you don't have relevant experience yet, show your interests of the industry, and their services or products.
Walk step by step through your resume. A recruiter can read your resume. Use your cover letter to highlight those things to which you want to call attention.
Copy and paste skill statements from your resume.

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