How to Make a Cover Letter

When you are applying for a job, you will need to know how to make a cover letter.  The cover letter is the first thing an employer will see and it precedes your resume.  It is the first impression the employer will have of you, so it needs to be well done.  

A cover letter needs to get the attention of the person reading it and tell him or her why they should hire you. It should let him or her know why you are more qualified than anyone else that is applying for the job. It will determine whether or not you will be granted an interview.

The Heading

On the left-hand side of the paper put your address and the date on three lines.  This may also be centered at the top of the page and may include your phone number. Skip a space and put the employer’s name, title (if there is one), company name, and address. Skip another space and start the letter “Dear Mr. Ms. or Mrs.” Here is an example:

123 Happy Place

Somewhere, NY 55555

April 1, 2052

Mr. Boss Man

Good Company, Inc

111 Big Salary Street

Eden, MS 11111

Dear Mr. Man:  

The Paragraphs

The next thing you need to know in how to make a cover letter is the purpose of each paragraph. The first paragraph tells the reader why you are writing and should only be two or three sentences. Be sure and include the position you want and why you are interested in the company or job. Do not tell how you heard of the opening unless you were referred by someone that the reader knows or by a recruiter. You only have a few sentences to make a connection and grab the reader’s attention.      

The second paragraph explains why you are the best applicant for the job and you will need to touch on some experience and training. Obviously the attached resume will give the whole story, so do not copy anything from your resume, just highlight two or three skills or accomplishments. The first sentence needs to show your desire and the reason you are the best person for the job. The last sentence needs to summarize, and you should repeat the position you seek.

The last paragraph should be short and should mention the enclosed resume and ask for an interview. You may also include information as to when you will contact them. You want to be assertive and positive in this last paragraph so the employer will want to interview you. You must thank them for their consideration and time, and you may want to include your contact information.   

The letter should end with “Sincerely” or “Regards”, and leave four lines for your signature. You should sign in blue ink so they see that it is an original. You do not want to give the impression that it is a copy. You may type your name under your signature if you wish. Make sure you proofread your final draft. This is the basics covering how to write a cover letter. Next are some tips of making the letter sound professional. 

Tips for a Professional Letter

• Research the company and the position you want so you can show that you can give the company what it needs. This will show initiative and this can better show your qualifications.
• Do not use colloquialisms as they will not make the letter sound formal.
• Use active explanations but do not start too many sentences with “I.” For example, “In this internship, I showed my ...” This is more active than “the internship enabled me to...” and puts you as the subject.
• Do not use contractions as they sound too informal.
• Keep it short and simple.   
• Proofread to make show this is your best writing. Check for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Remember than the computer, if you are using one, does not catch everything. Some misspelled words make other words, so the computer won’t know that. One example is words like “their” and “there”.  
• Use good quality paper on your resume, cover letter, and envelopes. Use the same paper for your resume and cover letter.