As we’ve said, the cover letter can be just as important as the resume, so you will want it to look as professional and intriguing as it can. We found a few sample letters online that you may want to use to refer to when crafting your own cover letters.
7 Apple Court
Eugene, OR 97401
503-555-0303
Mr. Archie Weatherby
California Investments, Inc.
25 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Mr. Weatherby,
My outgoing personality, my sales experience, and my recently completed education make me a strong candidate for a position as an insurance broker for California Investments, Inc.
I recently graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in marketing, where I was president of both the Future Business Leaders of America and the American Marketing Association.
Although a recent graduate, I am not a typical new graduate. I attended school in Michigan, Arizona, and Oregon. And I’ve put myself through these schools by working such jobs as radio advertising sales, newspaper subscription sales, and bartending, all of which enhanced my formal education.
I have the maturity, skills, and abilities to embark on a career in insurance brokering, and I’d like to do this in California, my home state.
I will be in California at the end of this month, and I’d like very much to talk with you concerning a position at California Investments. I will follow up this letter with a phone call to see if I can arrange a time to meet with you.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
John Oakley
23 Hickory Tree Way
Belle Mead, NJ 08502
(908) 555-7495
September 12, 2006
Ms. Kristin Heller
The Research Institute
34 Marketing Court
Princeton, NJ 08540
Dear Ms. Heller,
As marketing companies are increasingly called upon to supply information on magazine readership to publishers, there is a growing need for trained and experienced professionals in the field.
Through my marketing/research experiences and my master’s thesis, which have particularly dealt with improving marketing research studies so they can better define magazine audiences to potential advertisers, I am certain I could give you valuable assistance in satisfying research demands, managing key projects, and improving the marketing tools you currently use.
I will be completing my master’s degree in December and would be interested in making a significant contribution to the Research Institute’s profitability in a marketing/research capacity.
I am sure my services would be useful to you, and I will call you in early October to discuss an interview.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Scott Morris
1090 Peachtree Lane, #4
Atlanta, GA 30303
404/555-3030
Ms. Judy Sumner
Atlanta Board of Education
45 Peachtree Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30303
Dear Ms. Sumner,
Perhaps I am the “multi-talented teacher” you seek in your “Multi-Talented Teacher” advertisement in today’s Atlanta Constitution. I’m a versatile teacher, ready to substitute, if necessary, as early as next week. I have the solid teaching experience you specify as well as the strong computer skills you desire.
I am presently affiliated with a highly regarded private elementary school. Mr. Craig, the headmaster, will certainly give you a good reference. The details of your advertisement suggest to me that the position will involve many of the same responsibilities that I am currently performing.
In addition to the planning, administration, and student-parent counseling duties I highlight in my resume, please note that I have a master’s degree as well as a teaching certificate from the state of Georgia.
Knowing how frantic you must be without a fifth grade teacher, I will call you in a few days. Or if you agree upon reviewing my letter and resume that I am the teacher you need, call me at the home number listed above, or at 555-7327 during business hours.
Thanking you most sincerely for your time and consideration.
Cordially,
Maria Plazza-Smith
These samples are more specific, but perhaps you would like some templates to work from. We were able to find some free cover letter templates online as well. Try a few of these on for size!
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email
Date
Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
First Paragraph: Why You Are Writing. Remember to include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one. Be clear and concise regarding your request.
Middle Paragraphs: What You Have to Offer. Convince the readers that they should grant the interview or appointment you requested in the first paragraph. Make connections between your abilities and their needs or your need for information and their ability to provide it. Remember, you are interpreting your resume. Try to support each statement you make with a piece of evidence. Use several shorter paragraphs rather than one large block of text.
Final Paragraph: How You Will Follow Up. Remember, it is your responsibility to follow-up; this relates to your job search. State that you will do so and provide the professional courtesy of indicating when (one week’s time is typical). You may want to reduce the time between sending out your resume and follow up if you fax or e-mail it.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email
Date
Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
Your Requirements:
- Responsible for evening operations in Student Center and other facilities, including managing registration, solving customer problems, dealing with risk management and emergencies, enforcement of department policies.
- Assists with hiring, training, and management of staff. Coordinate statistics and inventory.
- Experience in the supervision of student staff and strong interpersonal skills are also preferred.
- Valid Minnesota driver’s license with good driving record. Ability to travel to different sites required.
- Experience in collegiate programming and management.
My Qualifications:
- Register students for courses, design and manage program software, solve customer problems, enforce department policies, and serve as a contact for students, faculty, and staff.
- Hiring, training, scheduling and management of staff, managing supply inventory, and ordering.
- Minnesota driver’s license with NTSA defensive driving certification.
- Extensive experience in collegiate programming and management.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
I appreciate your taking the time to review my credentials and experience. Again, thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Your name
Mailing address
City, state, and zip
Telephone number(s)
Email address
Today’s date
Your addressee’s name
Professional title
Organization name
Mailing address
City, state and zip
Dear Mr. (or Ms.) last name,
Start your letter with a grabber—a statement that establishes a connection with your reader, a probing question, or a quotable quote. Briefly say what job you are applying for.
The mid-section of your letter should be one or two short paragraphs that make relevant points about your qualifications. You should not summarize your resume! You may incorporate a column or bullet point format here.
Your last paragraph should initiate action by explaining what you will do next (e.g., call the employer) or instigate the reader to contact you to set up an interview. Close by saying “thank you.”
Sincerely yours,
Your handwritten signature
Your name (typed)
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email Address
Date
Employer Contact Information
Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Salutation
Dear Mr./Ms.
Body of Cover Letter
The body of your cover letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.
First Paragraph:
The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one. Be clear and concise regarding your request.
Middle Paragraphs:
The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Convince the reader that they should grant the interview or appointment you requested in the first paragraph. Make strong connections between your abilities and their needs. Mention specifically how your skills and experience match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it. Try to support each statement you make with a piece of evidence. Use several shorter paragraphs or bullets rather than one large block of text.
Final Paragraph:
Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up. State that you will do so and indicate when (one week’s time is typical). You may want to reduce the time between sending out your resume and follow up if you fax or e-mail it.
Complimentary Close:
Respectfully yours,
Signature:
Handwritten Signature (for a mailed letter)
Typed Signature
photo credit: sherrattsam
