香蕉秀

Reviewing and gaining a strong understanding of the job description will help you write a tailored cover letter. Highlight the key skills or qualifications they are seeking that align with your strengths. Ask yourself:

• What skills and qualifications are required for the position?
• Are there key phrases in the job description, organizational mission, or other materials from the company that seem to show up over and over?

Choose 2-3 of those skills or qualifications to highlight in your cover letter.

As this is a professional letter, the header should include your contact information, the date you are sending or submitting your letter, and the recipient鈥檚 address block. You may cut and paste the header from your resume to make it look like a personalized letterhead.

Ideally, you would address the letter to the name of the hiring manager, but if you are unable to get a specific name, you may address the letter to 鈥淒ear Hiring Manager鈥�. As this is a formal business letter, you will typically address it to the recipient鈥檚 title and last name (e.g. 鈥淒ear Dr. Brown鈥�)

• If you do have a name but aren't sure of the person's gender or pronouns, we recommend that you include both the first name and the last name in your greeting without a title that reveals gender. (e.g. 鈥淒ear Pat Brown鈥�)听
• Even if you know the name and gender of the person to whom you are writing, think carefully about what title you use. If the person has an M.D. or a Ph.D., you should address your letter to 鈥淒r. Lastname.鈥澨�
• When you address a cover letter to a female employer, use the title 鈥淢s.鈥�, a general title that does not denote marital status.

The introductory paragraph sets the tone for the letter and should cover the following:

• Explain why you are writing and how you heard about the opening (if applicable). Mention the job title by name. If you have a personal connection to the organization, mention that person鈥檚 name.
• In 1-2 sentences, demonstrate your knowledge of the organization and why you want to work there. Based on your research, what is something unique about this organization that appeals to you?听
• Convey your excitement and genuine interest in the organization and the opportunity to work for them.
• Briefly explain why you are a good match鈥攖he skills/experiences you bring that you will elaborate on in the next couple paragraphs.

Your body paragraphs will cover the 2-3 skills or qualifications you identified in step 1. This is where you will spend the most time creating content.

Using examples from your resume (without repeating your resume verbatim), tell a brief story about the experiences that best qualify you for the role. Through this content and by using keywords from the job description, the reader will be able to imagine what your working style, skill set, and characteristics might look like in their workplace.

The key here is to directly connect your skills and experience to the role. The more you make these connections for the reader, the less work they will have to do to see that you are a good fit for the role.

The closing paragraph is the simplest to write and consists of "call to action" language. To begin the paragraph, restate in one sentence your enthusiasm for the role and how you can add value to their organization. Then write out your calls to action:

• Share how they can contact you (email, phone, etc.)
• Politely request an interview
• Thank the employer for their time
• Let them know to refer to your attached resume听

Following the last paragraph is the closing salutation, often using phrases such as 鈥淪incerely鈥� or 鈥淩egards鈥�. Sign the letter with your full name.