CDC Resources

Cover Letter Tutorial: Start Here!

Start here if you are new to creating a cover letter and were not able to make the résumé & letter seminar or haven’t had one reviewed by a CDC Career Counselor. The video will teach you the foundations of a cover letter and what recruiters look for.

Key Takeaways

Your formatting (header, font, word mark) should match the formatting that appears on your resume. Follow a block letter format: align all paragraphs to the left without indenting, and skip a line between paragraphs/sections.

Always address your cover letter to a person or a title instead of using the cryptic “To Whom it May Concern.” The latter comes across as impersonal, while the former shows that you’ve done your homework. Use “Dear (First and Last Name)” for the salutation. If you’ve searched high and low and can’t find the name of someone, either address the letter to a senior member of the department or in HR (use LinkedIn to research) or use “Dear Hiring Manager.”

Keep it brief! Generally, stick with a three-paragraph structure: two to three sentences in the first paragraph; eight to 10 sentences in the second; and two to three in the third.

A cover letter is not “one and done!” A cover letter should always be tailored to the company and the position. If you use a blanket cover letter, an employer will be able to tell! The cover letter is how an employer cuts the field of applicants. For example, if a recruiter has 10 strong résumés, but wants to only interview 8 candidates then the cover letter is how they narrow the field. Having a generic or “template” letter is how they determine who to cut.

What’s the best way to tailor your letter? Have the job/internship description in front of you, and highlight two to three skills in the description that you possess. These are the skills that you’ll discuss in your letter.

Remember: don’t just restate what’s on your resume. A cover letter goes a step further. Tell what skills you learned and how you learned/developed them, and make the connection between your skills and the company. The résumé tells the employer what you did. The cover letter tells them what you learned from what you did.

Attend the CDC’s Résumé & Cover Letter Seminar! Click button below to find a date that works for you!

All Your Questions Answered

How is a cover letter different from a resume?

A resume tells the reader what you did, but a cover letter goes a step further to tell the reader what you learned from your experience. It is a chance for you to show off your storytelling ability by drawing the parallels from your experience to the job/internship description. Show rather than tell. In short, briefly cite your experience to show how you developed the quality the company is seeking. If, in a previous internship, you increased social media followers, how did you do that, what was the result, and how will you translate that skill into the role to which you’re applying? Paint the picture for the reader so that the way in which you’ll benefit the team is made clear.

To whom should I address my letter?

First, and most importantly, never use the salutation “To Whom It May Concern.” This greeting is what we call “the kiss of death” in a cover letter; it shows no research on the writer’s part and, instead, shows that the writer has taken the easy way out. Try to find a name of someone in the department to which you’re applying. It’s ok to make an assumption. Even if the only name you can find is that of the president or CEO of the company, your letter will still make its way to Human Resources, and you’ll come across as having done some research! If you’re uncomfortable with that idea, though, at least use a title in your salutation, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Internship Coordinator.”

How long should my cover letter be?

In the world of communications, the more direct you can be while still delivering your point, the better. As a general rule of thumb, try the following guideline:

Stick to a three-paragraph structure: intro, body, conclusion.
Keep the first paragraph to two or three sentences.
Your second paragraph should have roughly eight to 10 sentences.
Your final paragraph should be another two or three sentences.
Use block formatting (no indenting of paragraphs).

If a posting says that a cover letter is not required, do I still need to write one?

Chances are that if an employer doesn’t require a cover letter, it’s because cover letters don’t usually get read by the hiring manager or committee. Especially in companies that are highly competitive and receive hundreds of applications for one position, cover letters may hardly get a brief glance. Spend the time you would have used writing a letter to perfect the details of your resume instead. You may also include a brief statement of why you’re interested in the position and how your skills align in the body of an email when sending in your resume.

Can I use the same cover letter to apply for multiple positions?

No, you should not do this. The purpose of a cover letter is to show that you recognize what the employer is seeking and to show that you have it. Because each employer seeks something a little bit different, your cover letter will need to evolve and adapt to fit the role to which you’re applying. You should select two or three skills from the job description to highlight in your cover letter. If Company A is seeking someone who has experience with Adobe Premiere, and Company B is seeking someone who has experience with writing press releases, you can see how submitting the same cover letter for both roles won’t make sense.