Cover Letter Format

Your street address
City, state, and zip code
Today's date

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3 Line Spaces~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name (Make a real effort to obtain a name- this is important).
Title of the professional
Name of the organization
Address of the organization

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 Line Space~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Dr., Mr., Mrs., or Ms. Jones:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 Line Space~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First Paragraph :

  • Specify the position for which you are applying and where/how you found out about it.
  • Specify your degree and where you received it.
  • State basic reasons for applying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 Line Space~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Second Paragraph :

  • Highlight your qualifications, past work experience, internships,  academic accomplishments, and personality traits. Try to elaborate on at least one major achievement.
  • This will likely be your largest paragraph - remember, you are "selling" your skills.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 Line Space~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Third Paragraph :

  • Refer the reader to the enclosed resume.
  • Make general comments about resume highlights.
  • Indicate why you wish to work for their specific organization.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 Line Space~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fourth Paragraph :

  • Express the fact that you are qualified for the position.
  • Express your desire to meet and discuss your qualifications - ask for an interview.
  • Give your phone number. If necessary, specify a certain time to call.
  • Indicate you will call in one week to confirm your materials have been received.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 Line Space~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sincerely,
(Place your signature here.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3 Line Spaces~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your name- typed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 Line Space~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enclosure (Use when including your resume or other materials.)