Whether you’re a college student or graduate, many jobs and internships require resumes and cover letters. Cover letters can be more difficult to write than resumes. While a resume is a summary of your work experiences and accomplishments, a cover letter digs deeper into the who, what, when, where, why and how. It’s a story of how you entered that profession and what motivates you to continue following that path.
Your story is key to marketing yourself and gaining experiences for your dream job. Here are some tips on how to write good cover letters.
- Don’t just repeat what’s on your resume – use a strong opening. Give yourself space to share with employers the side of you that’s not on your resume. If you’re applying to be a psychologist or a social worker, what about those professions excite you? What inspires you to pursue them? Don’t just say that the position excites you, share why it excites you.
- Research the company. This might seem obvious but research, research research! Immersing yourself into the company’s culture is one way to know if the job and company is right for you.
- Use common interview questions and job qualifications as a prompt. This has helped me as I wrote my cover letters. It allowed me to reflect on my experiences and interests. Common questions like “how would you describe yourself in four words?” can be a starting point to discuss your past experiences.
- Keep it short and concise. Hiring managers won’t have time to read more than a page. Don’t build to a climax. Just keep your story straight forward.
- Change your cover letter to match your skills and experiences to the specific job. Keep it relevant to the position. Don’t make it generic. If you are applying to be a math teacher make sure the letter is specific to that position and be sure it’s specific to the school too.
- Read good cover letter examples. Job sites like Indeed and college career centers have great examples of cover letter writing and formatting. Use them. Be careful! Many online examples are generic and look AI-generated. Be sure to ask friends about their cover letters. It’s better to read what actual humans wrote.
- Consider References. Unless the position asks for references, don’t list names and contact information. Make sure your references know the specific jobs you are applying for and send them copies of your application including the cover letters so they can be prepared.
Even if you’re too early in your college career to look for jobs and internships, writing cover letters is something to keep in mind. Start thinking about past volunteer experiences, hobbies, your major, and write your story.
By Esther Elliott
