In addition to a resume, a cover letter is more often than not requested as part of your application materials. While the resume describes what you have done, the cover letter shows why you are relevant for the role – it should be the pipeline between your resume and the position itself.
Cover Letter Resources
Cover Letter F.A.Q.
If a cover letter is required – always add one. If not, it is up to your personal preference (although the Center for Career Engagement leans towards including one unless explicitly stated otherwise). This is a great opportunity for you to specify how your skills and experiences align with the role you are applying for, even if you have atypical experiences.
If the job posting lists a hiring manager or department head, address your cover letter to that person directly using their full name (e.g., Dear Jordan Smith). If no name is provided, use a specific title like Dear Hiring Manager or Dear [Department] Team (e.g., Dear Marketing Team). Avoid generic phrases like To Whom It May Concern, which can feel impersonal.
Check the company website or LinkedIn for the appropriate contact. If you’re still unsure, it’s perfectly acceptable to default to Dear Hiring Manager—it’s professional and commonly used.
- Be Specific: There are various opinions on what specificity looks like in a cover letter. We recommend that you tailor your materials for the role and company – this is often the “do your research” part of the application process.
- Have a Clear Purpose: Beyond just “getting the job”, know what you want to present and how – establishing and maintaining a clear flow is not only a great way to engage your audience, but showcase your written communication and attention to detail skills.
- Go Beyond the Resume: Your cover letter should tell why your resume is relevant – how do you fit? Craft a narrative that shows exactly that!
- Have a Compelling Tone: Presenting your purpose and skills are only one piece of the puzzle – you should be compelling your audience to engage with you. Present things actively, not passively.
- Follows Directions: There are some roles or organizations that request you touch on specific things in a cover letter, if they would like a cover letter at all. Ensure you read the entire role posting!
- Generic Statements: Every word you have should earn “rent” on your page – be concise with what you leverage on your cover letter.
- Negativity: Employers do not want to see you explain why you aren’t qualified (e.g., I may not have the required experience…), as even if you justify your place, you are already causing them to doubt your application – this is doubly so for direct negativity (e.g., I was fired from my last role).
- Irrelevant Personal Information: You are not required to list or discuss your age, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability status, family status, etc. on a cover letter.
- Over-Exuberant Language: Passion is one thing, but it is unprofessional to use overly casual language (e.g., I love using data analyses, I’m a total finance nerd…) and it can actually harm your application greatly.
Breakdown of a Cover Letter
Setting Up a Cover Letter
- Use the Same Header as Your Resume: Additionally, do not put it in the action “header” section of your page.
- One Page (If That): You want to use max one page – if you can get it under a full page, the more concise, the better.
- How Many Paragraphs: Typically, 3-5 should suffice (1 intro, 1-3 body, 1 close). Typically you want to keep it 7-8 lines per paragraph.
- Digital Signature: It is not necessary, but can add some “flair” to your page.
- Active Voice is Key: Subject (you) then action (what you did) – this can show impact and skill usage better than passive voice.
- Use Formal Language: You want to use business professional writing – no contractions, emoticons, or “text spelling”. Keep in mind you want to be concise too.
- Acronyms: Spell out the acronym first, and put the acronym in parentheses – even if it is a company-known acronym.
- Verb Tense: For things you are currently doing, use present tense – unless they are past accomplishments in a present role. For previous experiences, use past tense.
- Run On Sentences: Keep to a single, clear idea per sentence.
- Avoid the Em Dash: This is commonly utilized by AI, and can be marked as such by the Applicant Tracking System.
- DO NOT Repeat Your Resume: They know about your experiences and what you accomplished – what don’t they know?
- Focus on Skills, not Experiences: Related to the above, you should centralize your paragraphs on competencies to highlight transferability.
- Be Consistent: Your cover letter should be a flowing narrative – you do not want to have anything that does not tie back to your established theme/serve a purpose.
Sections of a Cover Letter
- Why Are You Writing?: One of the most common errors in a cover letter is not specifying what position you are applying to, as well as what caught your eye about the role/why you fit.
- Your Interest: Yes, you want the job because you want compensation – why this role in particular? Why the company in particular?
- Organizational Insight: It is recommended to network with firm employees to learn more – if you did so, what did you learn, specifically?
- End with a “Bang”: Give a brief snapshot of your body paragraph(s) – what makes YOU the best candidate?
- Set the Theme: Pick one competency or competency group, and make that the focal point of your paragraph. Do not include multiple competencies in one unless they can go “hand-in-hand”.
- Tie it Back In: How does this competency help you excel at the role? Why is it relevant to the employer?
- Have a Consistent Flow: Your narration should be smooth and clearly tie ideas together, as well as lead across paragraphs cleanly.
- Stay “On Track”: If you are including descriptions on how the competency manifested/was used, keep it concise and do not jump into unnecessary details – leave them curious and interested enough to interview you.
- Summarize Your Strengths: This ties everything together and allows you to keep the flow of your writing.
- Remain Active: You are writing to get the job. Do not “hope they contact you” – invite them to do so as a strong call to action.
- Give Thanks: They are taking time to read your materials.
- End Formally: Close out with sincerely or an equivalent closure.