How To Write The Perfect Cover Letter

You completed your resume, you’re ready to apply for the job, but did you write a cover letter?

A cover letter is your introduction to an employer and should show your interest in the position and highlight your skills that make you the perfect candidate for the job. An effective cover letter helps the employer get to know you and can help you get your foot in the door to land an interview!

When writing a cover letter, here are three things to focus on:

1. Your experience that directly relates to the job description. 

While the resume gives you space to mention a skill or experience, your cover letter gives you the space to go into more details and explain your past achievements and how they prepared you for this role.

Example from https://careers.usc.edu/students/write-a-resume/

2. Use the words from the job description in your cover letter

Be a perfect match! If an employer is looking to hire someone with “strong communication skills,” write that you have “strong communication skills” and give specific examples to show how communication is your strength.

3. Express why you are applying for the job. 

Explain your interest in the position and show your enthusiasm for it. Check out this example below.

Example from https://capd.mit.edu/sites/default/files/jobs/files/sample-cover-letters.pdf

Pro Tip: Your cover letter should be no more than one page (usually 3 or 4 paragraphs), and should be written specifically for the position. Don’t send exactly the same cover letter to all employers! 

Need more help? Check out our step-by-step guide to writing your cover letter here or text "JOBS" to 33-55-77 to chat with an advisor.