Bates College | Cover Letter Quickies

Questions to answer in the four paragraphs of your cover letter:

PARAGRAPH 1:

Why are your writing? How did you get the employer's name? Where did you find their job listing? Who referred you? What position are you applying for?

TIP: Try to grab their attention in a positive way and set an upbeat tone.

PARAGRAPH 2:

Why are you qualified for the position you are applying for? What have you done that applies to this job/position? Why should the reader look at your enclosed resume?

TIP: highlight those critical parts of your background, as evidenced on your resume that address the core parts of the job description.

PARAGRAPH 3:

Why are you further interested in this position or motivated for this position? Why are you interested in this particular job? Why do you want to work in this organization? What is special about you that should be considered for this position? What sort of fit is there between your experience and this job/organization?

TIP: Use this paragraph to validate additional core skills of your background, experience and why this position excites you.

PARAGRAPH 4:

What will you do next? When will you contact the employer in follow-up? Why will you be contacting the employer?

TIP: Always end your letter positively and pro-actively. The cover letter exists as a means to entice your reader to review your resume; your resume exists as a means to entice your reader to meet with you during an interview.

FINAL TIP: Put the job description next to your resume. Envision the cover letter as a bridge between the two documents. When you review the job description highlight the skill sets and qualifications needed that reflect in your resume. When you write the cover letter, relate one to the other through the four paragraphs as described above.