Cover Letter Guide

A cover letter is a formal way of introducing yourself to an employer. It also provides you with an opportunity to make a good first impression. Send a cover letter with your resume unless otherwise directed by the employer. Cover letters must be individually written each time that you apply for a job. Write your cover letter with care, since the employer often uses the letter to evaluate your writing ability and professionalism.

Cover Letter Writing Tips

  • Address the letter to a particular individual and include their job title
  • Personalize the letter according to each job for which you are applying
  • Focus on what you can offer the employer
  • Emphasize your most important qualifications and skills
  • Tailor your background to the organization and the job for which you are applying
  • Neatly type your letter on the same quality bond paper as your resume
  • Mail your letter and resume in a matching envelope
  • Make sure the letter is free of typos and grammatical errors
  • Don’t forget to sign the letter
  • Follow up with the employer as stated in the last paragraph of your letter

Elements of a Cover Letter

 

Your Address
Your Town, State Zip
Date

Mr. Bergen C. College
Human Resources Director
XYZ Corporation
123 University Drive
New York, NY 12345

Dear Mr. Bergen:

First Paragraph: State the purpose of your letter and the position for which you are applying. If you are responding to an advertisement, mention the publication that listed the opening.

Second and/or Third Paragraph: Indicate what you have to offer the employer. Highlight the experience and training that make you well suited for the position opening without repeating every detail of your resume. Use the job advertisement to target the skills that the employer is seeking. Whenever possible, research the organization so you can match your qualifications to the employer’s needs. It is acceptable to complete this section of the letter in one or two paragraphs.

Last Paragraph: Refer the reader to your enclosed resume. Indicate your desire for an interview and give your telephone number. You may choose to say that you will call within a certain time frame to see if an appointment can be arranged or you can simply ask the employer to contact you. If the letter states that you will call – remember to do so.

 

Enclosure

Sincerely,

 

Your Name

 

 

SAMPLE COVER LETTER

Your Address
Your Town, State Zip
Date

Ms. Barbara C. College
Personnel Manager
Bergen Hotel
123 Hospitality Lane
Paramus, NJ 01234

Dear Ms. Smith:

I am writing to apply for the Banquet Manager position that was advertised in the March 21 edition of The Record.

As my resume indicates, I have been working as a Restaurant Manager for the past seven years. I received my A.A.S. in Hospitality Management this past December. I feel that my educational background and work experience provide me with the skills necessary to succeed in a hotel/banquet setting.

Your advertisement calls for a detail-oriented manager with experience in supervising and training restaurant service personnel. During my years in the hospitality industry, I have managed large food, liquor, and restaurant supply inventories and negotiated contracts with vendors. Innovative marketing strategies that I implemented increased restaurant profits by 20%. Strong motivational skills have enabled me to maintain a productive staff committed to quality service. As a result of the formalized training and salary review programs that I developed, employee retention increased significantly.

My resume is enclosed for your review. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss the position and my qualifications. I will contact you in a week to see if an interview can be arranged. If you have questions, feel free to call me at (201) 447-7171. I look forward to speaking with you.

 

 

encl

Sincerely,

Your Name