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Cover Letter

PRO TIP:

If your cover letter is generic enough that you could switch with a classmate and it would still be applicable then you need to rewrite it.

PRO TIP:

If your cover letter is generic enough that you could switch with a classmate and it would still be applicable then you need to rewrite it.

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Cover Letter

Tips

  1. Don’t use “to whom it may concern”

    This phrase Is generic, will dehumanize your letter, and make it seem like yet another piece churned out to the masses. Look for a recruiter or talent acquisition name on Linkedin from the company. Do some digging! If you can’t find a name, at least write something along the lines of the position or committee that will probably look at your materials: XX recruitment team or XX hiring manager.

  2. Answer these questions

    Why do you want the job? What experiences have you had in the past that demonstrate you’re qualified for the new job? What are you passionate about? Why are you different from someone who has the same resume? How can they get a hold of you?

  3. Don’t make your cover letter an “extended version” of your resume

    Your cover letter is not a paragraph version of your resume. A person should be able to learn more about you while reading the cover letter. The cover letter will highlight a few experiences from your resume that are the most relevant and then go into greater detail.

  4. Use confident language

    Remove all the “I think” “I hope” “I might”. Write as if you are very certain of everything you are saying.

  5. Don’t start with: “Hi my name is ___ and I’m excited to apply for the XX position”

    That’s so boring. Why are you here? Who are you? What motivates you? The cover letter needs to be engaging. Get them to read past the first paragraph.

  6. Have someone proofread it

    See if your school extends career services to alumni. Or just have a friend read through to make sure it sounds clear.

  7. Read it out loud

    When you read it out loud, it’s much closer to how the employer will be reading it for the first time. It's amazing how things sound in reality versus in your head while writing. This tip will help you make sure that you wrote what you meant to say.

  8. Keep it to one page

    Similar to the resume, you want this to be easy and quick to read. It can still give details and insight about your experiences but do it in a concise manner.

  9. Always thank them for the opportunity at the end

    This is also where you can give additional contact information to follow up.

  10. Don’t use “Mrs.” in the salutation

    That is outdated, and you cannot assume anyone’s marital status or identity.

Checklist

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