Cover Letters
Adapted from Dartmouth’s Center for Professional Development
A cover letter is a key part of any job application. While your resume provides a broad overview of your experiences, the cover letter tells the story behind those experiences, explaining why you are a strong fit for the specific opportunity.
Why Write a Cover Letter?
The purpose of a cover letter is threefold:
- Statement of Intent: Communicate your interest in the role and organization.
- Value to the Employer: Show how your skills and experience align with the needs of the position.
- Opportunity to Learn and Grow: Highlight how this role fits your career goals.
Unlike a resume, which provides a factual account of your experience, a cover letter answers why and how you are a good fit. A well-crafted letter demonstrates your ability to communicate clearly, showcase your experience, and express enthusiasm for the position.
When to Write a Cover Letter
There are two main types of letters you may write when seeking employment:
- Cover Letter: Used when applying for a specific, posted job or internship.
- Solicitation Letter: Sent to inquire about opportunities at organizations that may not have formal job postings.
How to Write a Strong Cover Letter
A successful cover letter goes beyond a summary of your resume. It tells the employer:
- What relevant experience you have: Describe your most relevant skills and accomplishments, specifically matching the top qualifications in the job description.
- What value you bring to the organization: Show that you understand the company’s needs and explain how you can contribute to their goals.
- Why you’re interested in this role and organization: Reflect on how the company’s mission and values align with your own.
Steps to Planning and Writing Your Cover Letter
Before writing, take time to fully understand the position and the organization.
- Analyze the job description. Focus on the key qualifications and responsibilities, especially in the “Qualifications” and “Responsibilities” sections.
- Research the organization. Review their website, search on LinkedIn, and explore industry-specific resources to gain insight into their culture, priorities, and position within the field.
- Identify keywords. Look for repeated themes in the job description and industry-specific terms to include in your letter.
- Network when possible. Reach out to alumni or contacts at the organization for informational interviews. Tools like Handshake, LinkedIn, and Dartmouth Connect can help you find connections.
When writing your letter:
- Focus on 2–3 key experiences that best demonstrate the skills and outcomes most relevant to the position.
- Customize each letter to the specific role and organization. Avoid using generic content.
- Keep the employer’s needs front and center. Explain how your experience can solve their problems or contribute to their success, not just what you hope to gain.
Your cover letter should follow standard business letter formatting and consist of three key sections:
- Introduction: Clearly state the position you’re applying for and briefly explain why you’re interested.
- Body Paragraph(s): Highlight 2–3 relevant experiences that demonstrate your skills and how they align with the job’s responsibilities. Use specific examples to show your impact.
- Conclusion: Reiterate your interest, express enthusiasm for the opportunity, and thank the reader for their time. Mention that you look forward to the next steps.
Sample Cover Letter Template
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Email Address] | [Phone Number]
[Date]
[Recipient’s Name]
[Recipient’s Title]
[Organization Name]
[Organization Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am excited to apply for the [position] at [organization]. With my background in [mention your relevant experience or education], I am eager to bring my skills in [specific skill or strength] to your team.
During my time at [previous experience or position], I [describe a relevant accomplishment or responsibility]. This experience allowed me to develop strong [specific skills], which I believe would be valuable in addressing [specific challenge or responsibility from the job description].
I am particularly drawn to [prganization] because of its commitment to [specific value, mission, or project]. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to your team and further developing my skills in [relevant field or industry].
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience can contribute to your team’s success.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
- Proofread carefully for typos and grammatical errors.
- Keep it concise. Your letter should be no longer than one page.
- Personalize each letter for the specific role and organization.
For additional examples and personalized guidance, visit Dartmouth’s Center for Professional Development
Job Market Trends
Explore potential jobs and industries in depth using data that reflects real-time labor market trends on Dartmouth’s Center for Career Design, the undergraduate career center. Information include average earnings by location, top employers, employment trends and projections in the next ten years, “hard” skills, and popular job titles. Use keywords of by filtering for industry and occupation.
