Transcript Presented by: The Office of Career Development Smith UC Suite 210 (843) 661-1676 A well written cover letter helps convince the employer to look at.

Presented by:
The Office of
Career Development
Smith UC Suite 210
(843) 661-1676
A well written cover letter helps convince the employer to
look at your resume and is your first chance to make a good
impression.
Your Address
City, State Zip
The Date
Letter Recipient’s Name
Recipient’s Title
Company Name
Company Address
Dear Mr. or Mrs.
Paragraphs
Condolence
Handwritten Signature
Your Name Typed
The Date
Letter Recipient’s Name
Recipient’s Title
Company Name
Company Address
Dear Mr. or Mrs.
Paragraphs
Condolence
Your Name Typed
Your Address
City, State Zip
State the following:
• The job position
• How you learned of the position
• Discuss why you are a good
candidate for the position
Do
• Explain what you can do for the
employer
• Be straightforward
• Be confident in your abilities.
Example
Ex. I am the ideal candidate for this position…
Ex. I am a hard working, self-motivated individual…
Don’t
State what you expect the position
to do for you
Avoid
Ex. This position will allow me to move to a new town.
Ex. I hear the pay for this position is great.
Ex. I would like a nine to five job so I can do other things on the weekends.
State the following:
• Explain what skills qualify you for
the position
• How you’ve earned the skills
• Why these skills will help the
employer
Do
• Pick only a few (2 to 3) of the best
skills related to the position
Don’t
• Copy your resume onto the
cover letter
• Over-qualify yourself with too
many skills
• List skills not related to the position
State the following:
• Indicate that the resume or other
material are also attached.
• State that you will be calling the
employer for an interview or will be
in town for an interview at a certain
date.
Thank the employer for their
consideration and time spent
reviewing your application
Do
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reflect a positive attitude
Keep the cover letter to one page
Tailor your cover letter to the job
Use spell check
Keep sentences clear and simple
Alternate sentence length to hold the
reader’s interest.
Don’t
• Weaken statements with “I feel”
or “I believe”
• Use a generic cover letter for all
employers
• Start every sentence with “I…”
• Announce weaknesses
• Include an autobiography
Suite 210, University Commons
843-661-1676
www.fmarion.edu/students/career