Cover letters are an essential part of the job search. You need to spend time on each and every cover letter you send. It may take more time, but it’s worth it because if you send a poor cover letter, you’ve wasted your time and the employer’s time.

Writing a cover letter doesn’t require that you learn a completely different style of writing. When writing a cover letter, try just saying what you want to say as a first step. You can always edit and polish what you’ve written. What you decide to include will depend on the position you apply for, your qualifications, and your own preferences. Be yourself and let the employer know why you want the job and why they should want you.

What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is often the first contact you have with a potential employer. If it is well written, your letter will lead the reader to the other part of your application - your resume. Send a typed original letter with your resume. Never send a form or photocopied letter, or a hand-written one.

Length and Style
The body of the cover letter should be centered on the page. An 11-point font size is suggested. Roman and Times are two professional looking font styles.

Your Contact Info
At the top, list your address, city, state, zip code, email address, and the date. You can add your phone number or include it at the end of the letter. Separate your contact info from the addressee's info.

Addressee's Info
Address the letter to a specific individual, if at all possible. Check the job announcement, the employer's web site, or try calling the organization for a name. If a name proves impossible to obtain, as a last resort, the proper salutation is "Dear Employer".

First Paragraph
The first paragraph states why you are writing. If you are responding to an advertised opening, identify the position and how you learned of it. If you are inquiring about a possible opening, identify the position, field, or general professional area in which you are interested.

Middle Paragraph(s)
Tell the story of your resume and connect it to the position you are applying for. Indicate why you are interested in the position, organization, its products and services, and above all, what you can do for the employer. Explain how your academic background makes you a qualified candidate for the position. Practical experience is important. Point out your specific achievements or unique qualifications that are relevant to the position. Try not to state information using the same words you use in your resume. Position announcements and company literature offer clues about what to stress. Refer the reader to your resume, which summarizes your qualifications, training, and experience.

Closing Paragraph
Close your letter with a statement that will encourage a response. For example, state that you will be in the city where the organization is located on a certain date and that you are available then for an interview.

Indicate your willingness to furnish additional information about your qualifications. You can furnish your phone number here.

Signature
Don't forget to sign your name. An employer might interpret a forgotten signature as careless. Sign your full name and use black or blue ink. Neatness does count.

Proofread
Always have your cover letter critiqued by a career advisor or at least one other person.

Paper
Use standard 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper for your cover letter. Have your cover letter printed or copied on a quality paper. Standard laser printer paper is not considered good enough for cover letters.

Quality paper textures typically have at least 25% cotton fiber or rag content. In selecting a color, stay conservative, avoiding bright colors and pastels. Most employers prefer paper that is white, ivory, light gray, off-white, eggshell or other subtle shades. Don't stand out for the wrong reasons.
Sample Format

A Sample Cover Letter Layout September 13, 2005 Your Current Address City, State, Zip Code Mr./Ms./Dr. Name of Person You are Writing To Job Title Name of Organization Street Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name: I am writing to express interest in the research analyst position at ABC Company as advertised by the Oberlin College Career Services Office. I am interested in this position because I would like to apply my analytical and organizational skills to the types of projects and clients with which ABC Company works. I believe my education and experiences will enable me to make a positive contribution to your company. Through my courses in economics and mathematics at Oberlin College, I have gained skills in understanding and interpreting economic trends. I had the opportunity to apply these skills in my summer internship at Merrill Lynch. During my time at Merrill Lynch, I learned a great deal about how the business world works, and came to understand the importance of thinking globally and interdisciplinarily in solving business problems. Both my internship and my coursework have made me eager to continue to develop my business skills, and I am confident that ABC Company would be an excellent fit for my background. In addition to my analytical skills, I have developed strong interpersonal and communication skills. As captain of the basketball team and vice president of Acme organization, I became adept at motivating and encouraging people. I am a dedicated hard worker who enjoys working with a team to accomplish a common goal. Enclosed is my resume for your review. I am excited about this opportunity and know I can make a positive contribution to ABC Company, if selected for this position. I am available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to talking with you soon. Sincerely, (Sign your Name) Type Your Name Enclosure (include only if mailing materials)

Sample Letter

OCMR Box 0000 Oberlin, OH 44074 (440) 000-0000 Victoria.Ravin@oberlin.edu September 13, 2005 Ms. Monica Ringle Houghton Mifflin College Division 222 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116-3764 Dear Ms. Ringle: I am interested in working with Houghton Mifflin during the upcoming summer as a Foreign Language Intern. I am currently a junior at Oberlin College, where I am majoring in Russian and Psychology. My interests include writing and communications, as well as studying foreign languages. Through my varied experiences attempting to master Spanish, Russian, French, and Hebrew, I have learned which textbook styles are most effective for the foreign language student. I would like to be involved in the production of foreign language textbooks from both cultural and grammatical perspectives. As an editor of my high school and college newspapers, I gained much editing, writing, layout, and design experience. With few exceptions, I find grammatical, punctuation, or spelling errors in all of my textbooks. It would be gratifying for me to be able to use and develop my editing skills while learning about the overall production process. I am especially interested in publishing and am considering the field as a potential future career choice. The opportunity to work at Houghton Mifflin would give me insight into the publishing field and help determine my postgraduate plans. My coursework at Oberlin has provided me with a modest background in economics, as well as substantial experience with conducting research and analyzing data. I would hope that my many years spent studying foreign languages and my passion for them would be valuable to the company. I am available to work June, July, and August. I have enclosed my resume. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your time and consideration! I look forward to talking with you soon. Sincerely, Victoria L. Ravin Enclosure (include only if mailing materials)