Writing a Cover Letter 

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to a prospective employer and explain why you are sending your resume. Therefore, a cover letter should accompany every resume and application.

For a cover letter to be most effective, it should demonstrate the following:

1. How your education and experiences qualify you for the position; 
2. How your skills align with the position; 
3. How your values and enthusiasm match the organization’s core mission and philosophy.  

Before you begin, do some research and ask yourself:

• What needs of the organization does this role fill?
• Why are you interested in this role and organization?
• What are the expressed values of the organization and do you share them?
• What special characteristic, product, or recent news about the organization excites you?

How to Write a Cover Letter 

Opening Paragraph – To begin your cover letter think about: 

• Why you are interested in this field 
• Why you are interested in this organization and position 
• What is the purpose of your letter (e.g., to apply for a full-time position or an internship) 
• How you discovered the opening and/or the organization (e.g., a personal referral, or Handshake) 

Body of your letter – For this paragraph (or two) think about: 

• Review the job description to determine the qualifications the employer is requiring; identify which skills you have that match the job description 
• Include your personal traits that are applicable to the organization’s needs (e.g., “My passion for equal access to education led me to research and write my thesis about…”) 
• Demonstrate your applicable experience by telling a very brief story – with a result – about a relatable accomplishment you have had. 

Closing Paragraph – Make sure you are clear about: 

• How and where you can be contacted 
• Conveying a positive attitude and your appreciation for being considered 
• When and how you will follow up, if appropriate. Follow-up is appropriate only if the employer asks you to do so or if you are sending your resume when there is no specific job posted. Always read and follow any instructions you receive from an employer. 

Meaningful Tips for Writing Your Letter 

• Look carefully at the qualifications and responsibilities in the job description; be sure to highlight your academic, extracurricular, and/or internship/ experiences that match the position; reveal how you can add value to the organization 
• Communicate your enthusiasm, but keep sentences short and clear; use active, not passive, verbs. For example, use “investigated”, “gathered”, “evaluated” instead of “was responsible for investigating, gathering, or evaluating” (see the Resume Guide for a list of action verbs) 
• Begin the second paragraph with a topic sentence; consider the main points you wish to make and then create a sentence that introduces those ideas 
• Vary your writing – do not start every sentence with “I”. Use “I” sparingly. 
• There is no “right way” or specific writing style for a cover letter; your letter should reflect who you are and your writing ability 
• Proofread your letter to ensure that it is error-free; sometimes one typo can cause your letter (and your chance at the job) to end up in the discard pile 

Business Letter Format 

In order for your letter to be considered professional, it needs to be in business format. Typically block style formatting is recommended. This format requires that you justify every line along the left-hand margin. The header you use on your resume is fine for the header on your cover letter. 

See below for an example of what your business letter format should look like. 

Saving and Emailing Your Letter 

• Save your cover letter and resume as PDFs. File names should include your name for easy identification. 
• Also, include your name and the position for which you are applying in the subject line of the email. 
• Compose a short email explaining to the employer that your cover letter and resume are attached. 

Have Your Letter Reviewed by the Bates Center for Purposeful Work 

For a review of your cover letter draft, stop by the Bates Center for Purposeful Work in Chase Hall during our Drop-In Hours, make an appointment with an advisor, or send an email with your cover letter draft to purposefulwork@bates.edu.

---

Cover Letter Content and Format 

Your present address
City, State, Zip Code 

Date of Letter 

First and Last name (Omit title such as Mr./Ms./Dr. in this line)
Title of Contact
Name of Organization
Street Address
City, State Zip Code 

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name: If you do not know the recipient’s gender identity, use the first and last name e.g. “Dear Cory Smith:”. If you do not have the name of a specific person, try to get it. Review the job description closely for any details, research LinkedIn, or ask an internal contact for suggestions on how to address your cover letter. Do not write “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To whom it may concern.” If it is impossible to find the recipient’s name, address the letter generally by title, “Dear Human Resources Manager,” “Dear Hiring Manager,” “Dear Research Department Representative,” or by organization, “Dear IDEXX Representative.” Use a colon after the greeting. Dear ___________: 

Opening Paragraph: This paragraph is intended to express your interest and fit with the position, organization, and/or field. Include a sentence or two summarizing your interest and fit. Try to make it interesting, and find a way to incorporate specific information about the organization to demonstrate your genuine interest. If applicable, describe how you heard about this opening or internship. If a person referred you to the organization, mention the person’s name and connection to the organization: “Nancy Smith, who is an alumna of Bates College, suggested that I contact you.” 

Body Paragraphs: This section consists of one or two paragraphs in which you tell the employer why you are a strong candidate for the position. Emphasize the employer’s needs – not your own. Demonstrate your ability and desire to perform the functions of the position by providing examples from your work, academic, and/or extracurricular experiences. You may want to expand on your interest in the position and/or career field referencing specific academic and work experiences. 

Organize your paragraphs according to skills, not experiences. Don’t simply include a separate paragraph about your experience; make the connection between the skills the employer seeks and your experiences that support your qualification for the job. For example, demonstrate strong writing skills by referencing two or three accomplishments related to writing. If possible, also identify a couple of personal qualities that pertain to the job and make you a strong candidate (i.e., responsible, hard-working.) Try to offer specific examples of where these qualities have been demonstrated. 

Closing Paragraph: Indicate your desire to arrange a mutually convenient time to interview; state when and how you will contact the employer, as well as how he/she may contact you. If you plan to visit the city where the organization is located, mention this because employers may be more apt to meet with you. Re-emphasize your interest in the position, thank the individual, and mention that you are looking forward to meeting him or her. 

Sincerely, 

Type Your Name (you don’t need a cursive signature on an electronic copy)

---

Sample Language for Cover Letter Sections 

Below are some sample sentences and phrases to help you get over a writing block if you’re having trouble with any of the paragraphs on the previous page. 

HOWEVER, REMEMBER: the Cover Letter is your opportunity to demonstrate your own ability to express an argument, prove a point, and write a skillful letter. Be sure to use your own words and customize your letter to the position you’re applying to, and to your own voice. 

Opening Paragraph Sentences: “In May, I will be graduating from Bates College with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and am writing to apply for the lab assistant position at Jackson Labs that is posted in Handshake.” “When I heard about the Analyst Internship at REI from my advisor Professor Retelle, I was excited about the potential of working for an organization that offers a product I use and admire.” “I am reaching out to you today to discuss…” “I am writing to apply for the XX position at XX, Inc., in the Portland, Maine office…” 

Body Paragraph Sample Language: Sometimes it’s hard to transition from your accomplishments to how they relate to the job you’re applying for: “In my (X course) this semester, I have been able to collect and analyze data using Stata and SPSS. I am excited to bring these skills to IDEXX to help a business I admire make crucial decisions.” “From my internship project management experience, I have a strong understanding of XXX, and am eager to learn more about outdoor education from the LLBean perspective.” 

Closing Paragraph: Think short and simple, but include all the elements noted on the previous page. “I have attached my resume and look forward to discussing my qualifications with you.” “Thank you for your time and consideration.” “I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my interest and qualifications with you in the near future.” “Please feel free to contact me through email at mbates@bates.edu or by phone at (617)-555-3333.” 

Kind Regards, Sincerely, Best Regards, Yours Truly, (whichever of these feels best to you)