Writing Cover Letters and
Other Correspondence
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Types of Letters• Cover letter
• Thank You Letter
• Networking Letter
• Follow-Up Letter
• E-mail correspondence
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Cover Letter: Purpose• To introduce yourself, your resume, and get an interview (not necessarily the job)
• To persuade, while resume presents facts
• To connect to an employer or a position via field of interest, mutual acquaintances
• To highlight how your skills and experience meet the employer’s needs
• Often viewed as a writing sample
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Sample Cover Letter FormatWellesley College21 Wellesley College Road, Unit 1122Wellesley, MA 02481
February 14, 20XX
Contact Name, TitleOrganization NameStreet AddressCity, State Zipcode
Dear Ms./Mr./Dr.:
Opening paragraph: Why are you writing?
2nd paragraph: Why do you want to work there?
3rd paragraph: Why should the organization hire you? What are your goals and qualifications?
Closing paragraph: What happens next? Request an interview.
Sincerely,Your SignatureYour name
EnclosureCopyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and
Service
Opening Paragraph
• Explain who you are and why you are writing
• Mention a mutual acquaintance, or name of a person who referred you to the employer
• If you attended an information session, open house, or career fair, state so
• Express where you learned of the opportunity
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
2nd Paragraph• Communicate your desire to work for this employer.
• Consider:• Potential employer’s reputation• Information from their web site, an information session, or from an alumna/other contacts
• Articles read, experience using their products, etc.
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
3rd Paragraph
• Explain the employer why they should hire you
• Include long-term/short-term goals
• Highlight your qualifications without repeating your resume verbatim
• Address job/internship requirements stated in the job description
Closing ParagraphNext steps:
• Communicate how the employer can reach you and clarify any special dates or ways you can be reached
• If you want to follow up in a week, state the date of the week and do so
• Respect employer’s hiring process when following up
• Thank the reader
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Cover Letter Tips
• Check your spelling and grammar
• Research the company and industry before writing
• Each cover letter should be tailored to its recipient
• Be concise and to the point: how do you want the reader to remember you?
• Be aware of run-on sentences
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Cover Letter Tips - Continued
• Do not start every sentence or paragraph with “I”
• Avoid the passive voice, such as “this opportunity allowed me to gain analytical skills…”
• The first letter you write will be the hardest
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Cover Letter Checklist
• Be sure the letter is dated
• Proofread. Grammar and spelling must be perfect.
• Limit letter to one page
• Read letter aloud and have others read it
• Stationery and font should match resume and envelope
• Sign your letterCopyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and
Service
Worksheet: Preparing Your Cover Letter• What is the main message you want to convey to an employer or internship sponsor?
• Why you do want to gain experience in this field and/or work for this employer or internship sponsor?
• Why should the employer/internship sponsor interview you? Name three adjectives that best describe you as a candidate. List relevant, concrete examples from your resume or background.
• Discuss your answers with a friend or CWS counselor to get started.
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Thank You Letter• Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to discuss your qualifications
Can include:
• Any new or follow-up information
• Reminder of your qualifications and your continued interest
• An interesting or helpful statement you made during the meeting
• Send a separate letter or e-mail to each interviewer within 24 hours
• Check your spelling, especially of the interviewer’s name, and grammar
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Networking Letter• Relay your career interest to those who can offer contacts or industry information for your job or internship search
• Provide context of your letter. Specify what you may have in common with the reader, i.e., Wellesley College, name of person who made the referral and her relationship to you
• State what you need from the reader, e.g., advice on gaining entry to the industry or type of organization, list of local organizations or contacts in the field
• Enclose your resume for the reader’s information
• May end with an action statement to initiate personal contact
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Follow-Up Letter
• To be sent if some time has lapsed since you last heard from a potential employer
• Written to express your continued interest
• A reminder of your qualifications
• An inquiry about the status of the search
• A brief discussion of any new ideas you have had since the interview
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
Email as Cover Letter• Insert job title in the “Subject” line• In the salutation, use the contact person’s title and last name (e.g. “Dear Ms. Jones:”), not first name
• Keep length to the size of one screen • Summarize your interest and skills for the position
• Use traditional, formal language, not txt msg’ing words
• Make sure you attach your resume• You can also attach a formal cover letter with your resume. In that case the email serves as a short introduction to your cover letter and resume
• The cover letter and resume file names should contain your name and the position desiredCopyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and
Service
Help from CWS• A CWS counselor can help you think through what you want to include in your letters and answer your questions
• Come to the CWS Drop-Ins for a 10-minute cover letter review (Monday-Friday 12:30 pm-2 pm when classes are in session)
• For in-depth help with writing skills, go to Writing Tutors at the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center
Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service