Career Planning: Cover Letters

What is a cover letter?

"A cover letter introduces you and your résumé to potential employers or organizations you seek to join...Take advantage of this important first impression and prepare the reader for your application, stating why you are writing and why you are a good match for the job and the organization" (Purdue OWL, 2014). 

What does a typical cover letter look like?

A good cover letter will be no more than one page in length (single-spaced) and is broken down into an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should greet the specific individual you are writing to and include a brief thesis of why you would be a good fit for the position and organization. In the body portion of your letter, describe your most prominent qualifications for the position with specific examples. Finally, your conclusion should include a persuasive reminder of why you're a good fit for the position and organization, along with a request to interview and thanking the individual for their consideration.

Purdue OWL. (2014). What is a Cover Letter? Retrieved from https://owl.purdue.edu/engagement/job_search_resources/cover_letters/index.html​

The ECPI Library has books about writing cover letters.  

Use the catalog search box to search for books or select a search term to see results.  Search results will open in a new window.