Resume Cover Letter Tips

While your resume is a summary of your credentials, your cover letter can be an effective marketing tool. Your aim is to demonstrate why your education, work experience, skills, and background uniquely qualify you for the position you’re applying for.

A cover letter should contain three main sections:

FIRST PARAGRAPH

• Identify the position for which you are applying.
• State how you learned of the position and why you are interested in the position or organization.

SECOND PARAGRAPH

• Summarize why you are a strong candidate for the position.
• Target the job description and specifically discuss how your skills relate to the job requirements.
• Highlight one or two of your accomplishments or abilities that show you are an excellent candidate for the position.
• Detail positive characteristics and past experiences that illustrate how your qualifications will benefit the organization.

CLOSING PARAGRAPH

• Thank the person for considering your resume and offer to provide additional information.
• Include your phone number and when you can be reached.

Here are some tips on cover letters:

• Always mail a cover letter with your resume.
• Address the letter to the contact person or to the Human Resources Director.
• Use standard business letter format on paper that matches your resume.
• Use white or off-white 8-1/2- x 11-inch paper.
• Use a font size of 10 to 14 points.
• Use non-decorative typefaces. Choose one typeface and stick to it.
• Cover letters should be individually typed and signed.
• Use terms and phrases that are meaningful to the employer.
• Minimize jargon, abbreviations, and contractions and be concise.
• Check your letter for errors and grammatical correctness.
• Print on one side of the paper.
• When sending a resume via email, include your cover letter in the body of the email or (depending upon the employer’s instructions) send it with your resume as an attachment.

See our sample cover letter!

Mary Smith
Recruiter
Department of ABC
123 Main Street
Anytown, MI 55555

Dear Ms. Smith:

I am writing in response to your posting on the State of Michigan Vacancy Posting site for the Personnel Management Analyst position. I believe my qualifications make me an excellent candidate for the position.

I possess more than seven years of human resources experience in recruitment and staffing, benefits administration, and workforce planning. Throughout my career I have demonstrated the ability to establish excellent client relationships and to develop and implement innovative solutions to address a wide variety of human resources challenges. I have excellent organizational abilities and strong decision-making skills.

Enclosed is my resume for your review. I would appreciate the chance to meet with you to discuss the ways in which I can help the Department of ABC achieve its goals and objectives. I can be reached at the phone numbers listed on my resume.

Thank you for your time and consideration.