How to Write a Simple Application Cover Letter
The cover letter that accompanies your employment application can give potential employers insight into the kind of person you are. It also provides a venue to emphasize particular information you'd like the reader to notice. Ideally, you should write a personalized letter for each of the positions to which you apply, but a good, simple cover letter will serve for almost any job application.
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Instructions
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Start your letter with your address typed at the left margin:
123 Sesame Street
New York, NY 11231Do not abbreviate street, road, etc.
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Type the date (Month XX, 2010) two lines below your address, at the left margin.
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Insert the address of the company to which you are applying two lines below the date--again, at the left margin and again, do not abbreviate street, circle, etc. If possible, obtain the name and position of the person doing the hiring. It may be a hiring manager or it might be the person to whom you will later report. Follow this format:
Mr. John Smith
Peter, Peter and Peterson
43 Second Avenue
New York, NY 11231If the addressee is a woman, use Ms.
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Insert the salutation two lines below the company's address:
Dear Mr. Smith:
Be sure to use the colon. If you don't know who's doing the hiring, you can start your letter with "Dear Sir/Madam:" or "To whom it may concern:" You will now be ready to write the body of your letter.
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Begin the body of your letter two lines below the salutation. Introduce yourself with a bold statement such as "I'm a professional with 10 years experience in astrophysics. When I heard of your company's opening for a lead astrophysicist, I knew I could be a great asset to Peter, Peter and Peterson, given my work and education in the astrophysics field." If someone already working for the company is going to give you a personal reference, you may want to begin your letter with that information.
Explain in the second paragraph why you are best suited for the position for which you are applying. You can be more specific here than in your resume. For example, describe a problem you helped solve, a major project in which you were involved or specific examples of your leadership and management strengths. This is where you can really make yourself stand out from the rest, so give concise, solid examples of the high points of your work history; you can use a bulleted list format if you like.
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Conclude the body of your letter with a paragraph thanking the reader for his time and letting him know when you will be in contact with him next. Setting a concrete time frame for when you will follow up will reflect your interest in the position and sticking to that time frame will show your responsibility.
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End your letter two lines below the body, still at the left margin, with a business-like complimentary close such as "Sincerely yours," "Respectfully yours," or "Very truly yours."
Leave four blank lines in which to sign your name with a pen. Then type your name--include your current title only if it is relevant to your current job search.
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