How to Write a Friendly Cover Letter

A cover letter provides the first impression to hiring managers. It's important to hit the right tone, while giving further information on your suitability for a position that may not be covered in your resume.

Things You'll Need

• Word processor Email program Paper

Instructions

1. Begin your letter by addressing a person. Address the hiring manager by name, if the name is available, as in "Dear Ms. Asher" or "Dear Mr. Smith." If a name is not available for your cover letter, use another, more generic term of address. A formal form of address is "To Whom It May Concern," or "Dear Sir/Madam." For a more casual form of address, you can use the still-accurate and respectful term of "Dear Job Coordinator."

2. Initiate the letter's content with an introductory paragraph. Keep this paragraph brief, about 2 to 3 sentences. Use this to personalize your resume experience and introduce your professional self to the reader. Briefly explain why you are seeking employment with the company you're addressing, and what has attracted you to the position you're applying for.

3. Use your second paragraph to explain in detail why you are particularly qualified to be hired for the position you are applying for. Make sure you aren't simply re-listing items from your resume. Relate the relevant nuances of your experience that will be appealing to an interviewer. Examples of this are challenges you find exciting in a job, or particular accomplishments you were able to achieve in your previous jobs.

4. Continue in another paragraph to highlight particular skills or experience if there are enough relevant details. Provide further examples and information that demonstrate to the reader that you have particular knowledge about their company. Keep the information in this and the preceding paragraph brief and succinct.

5. Make your closing paragraph a summary of your abilities and enthusiasm for the job. Conclude the paragraph by mentioning other resources, such as references or a portfolio that you can make available to them either before or during an interview. Keep this paragraph to 2 to 3 sentences. Sign off with "Sincerely," as well as your name and title, if you have one at your present job.