A cover letter is either a formal letter or a formal e-mail that is sent to an employer in order to introduce and highlight your resume. Cover letters provide an introduction to you and your resume and create a first impression for employers. They identify the position you are seeking, connect your skills and talents to the position, and demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate or why you are uniquely qualified for the job.
Ask yourself, why should anyone hire me for this job? Come up with your best three answers to that question. These are your 3 THINGS: three things that you want the employer to know when they read your letter.
Your cover letter will have 3 SECTIONS. Start your letter with an introductory paragraph. Your last sentence here works like a thesis statement in an essay: it sets up the points that you plan to talk about in the body. Those points are your 3 THINGS. Explain each of the three things in the body of your letter, and finish up with a closing paragraph that sums it all up.
Dear Ms./Mr./Dr. So-and-So:
Explain clearly what type of job you are seeking and express interest in the organization. If you are responding to a specific opening, indicate how and where you learned of the opportunity and/or the organization.
Explain why you are a good fit for the organization. Mention a few key qualifications and cite specific examples of your experiences, skills and accomplishments related to the position. Tell why the organization, location, or the type of work appeals to you.
Close by making a specific request for an interview. You can indicate that you will follow up with a phone call and if you make this claim, be sure to follow through. Thank the reader for taking the time to consider you.
Your Typed Name