Writing Skills

Showcase Why You’re Right for the Job!

What is a cover letter?

• A one-page document that you submit as part of your job application (alongside your resume)
• It introduces yourself and briefly summarizes your professional background
• It showcases your passion and personality

Tip: Keep the job description nearby as you write your cover letter

Cover Letter Format

1. Header. Your and the company’s details. There are many ways to format this information. You can even use a template.
2. Formal Greeting. Address the cover letter to the hiring manager, or write to whom it may concern, or dear hiring manager, (Dear Sir or Madam, is no longer acceptable).
3. Opening Paragraph. Grab the reader's attention. State the position you’re applying for, the reason you’re applying, or why you’re a good fit. 
4. Body Paragraphs

• Show what you’ve got to offer
• Prove that you’ll fit in

1. Closing Paragraph

• Thank the hiring manager for their time
• Finish with a call to action

6. Formal Salutation. Use the formal salutation Sincerely,

Tips:

• Refer to your resume once
• Try to use ‘you’ and ‘your’ as much as possible. For example, “From my resume, you can see…” or “Your company is known for…”

Look at the sample cover letter below to see how the cover letter comes together.

Cody Fredrickson

(123) 456-7891

cfredrickson@email.com

May 1, 2018

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am thrilled to be applying for the Human Resources Assistant position at Cloud Clearwater. With three years of experience in Human Resources, I am motivated to join an organization where I can contribute my unique skills and grow as a Human Resources professional. I am particularly adept at finding ways to streamline routine processes, thereby allowing more time to focus on the human aspect of the recruiting process. I am intrigued by the opportunity to bring my talent, experience, and commitment to helping people in a company like Cloud Clearwater, an innovator in the cloud computing marketplace.

During my previous role at River Tech, I efficiently conducted approximately 20 applicant phone interviews each day and scheduled qualified applicants for face-to-face interviews with the hiring manager. I took ownership of coordinating the logistics of the in-person interviews, allowing hiring managers to have well-prepared discussions with applicants and quickly move to making an offer. Ultimately, I was able to reduce the time-to-hire by 25%.

I also used my strong organizational skills and strategic thinking to revamp the new hire onboarding process. At River Tech, I developed a streamlined, standardized new hire process to ensure that new employees experienced a comprehensive introduction to our company and culture. After implementing the new program, we noticed a 50% increase in new hire satisfaction at the 90-day review. Even better, at the one-year point, these employees reported believing the new hire onboarding process adequately prepared them for success in their new roles.

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration. I hope to hear from you soon with more information about the Human Resources Assistant role and about Cloud Clearwater. I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Cody Fredrickson