Writing a Cover Letter
Proving You are the Perfect Candidate
What is a Cover Letter?
➢ Your cover letter is your formal introduction. It includes more detailed
information about yourself & showcases your personality.
➢ It is a ‘MUST’ with your resume.
➢ It is meant to complement your resume, not repeat it. Think of a cover
letter like the sibling to your resume - related, but they have different
features.
➢ It expresses your interest in a position and generates interest in you as a
candidate.
➢ It is the first read document and allows you to focus the employer’s
attention on skills and experiences that directly relate to the position.
➢ Some employers expect a cover letter, others do not. Your best bet is to
be proactive and send one; it may make you stand out from a crowd.
Cover Letter Purpose
The cover letter accompanies your resume and its purpose is to generate
interest and get you an interview! It should be:
➢ Brief and Interesting
➢ Limited to one page, 3-4 paragraphs
➢ Should demonstrate a match between the employers’ needs and your
qualifications
➢ Should be job specific, not generic
➢ Should give an employer reasons to hire you
➢ Should showcase your communication skills and writing ability
Before writing your cover letter, take some time to brainstorm and develop
a list of reasons why you are the ideal candidate for the job.
Writing Letters Using AIDA
Most people have difficulty
drafting cover letters.
Using the AIDA model will help you
structure your cover letters.
AIDA stands for Attention, Interest,
Desire, and Action.
Each letter will serve as a
paragraph in the cover letter.
The model helps you to put
yourself in the mind of an
employer.
AIDA
Attention- Your goal in your opening paragraph is to grab the reader’s
attention. You can share an impressive example of something you have
accomplished that relates to the desired position, tell a story that showcases
your passion for the position you want.
Interest- Now that you have the reader’s Attention, you need to maintain
their Interest. This will be your 2nd paragraph. Turn the focus on the employer,
but still sell yourself. You need to appeal to their needs.
Desire- You need to create a Desire for your employment. This will be your 3rd
paragraph. Determine the major points the employer is addressing in the job
description, then follow up with specific examples of how you have
accomplished tasks related to those major points.
Action- In your closing paragraph, you want to compel them to take Action to
reach out to you! Put the ball in their court, provide options for contact.
Types of Cover Letters
Use the cover letter as a way to express to your potential employer what it
is about the position that appeals to you and why you want to work for
them. It is a great way to highlight why you are the “Perfect Candidate”.
There are 3 types of Cover Letter Formats:
➢ The Paragraph Cover Letter- written in traditional paragraph form.
➢ The Specific Needs Cover Letter- rather than writing it out in paragraph
form, you go straight to what the employer is looking for and address
each item with your own matching qualifications using a dual column
format.
➢ The ‘Shopping List’ Cover Letter- rather than doing a two column
comparison or a story style paragraph, you list out exactly what the
employer is looking for and respond with your own matching
qualifications.
The Paragraph Cover Letter
This is the most common form and allows you to engage the reader with a
story-telling style using 3-4 short paragraphs.
First paragraph is your introductory paragraph. Use it to tell the employer
who you are and why you are writing to them. List the specific position you
are applying for and how you heard about it.
Second and third paragraphs are all about the skills, abilities, and knowledge
you have that is specific to the job you’re applying for. Make sure you
highlight how perfectly your attributes match who they are looking for.
The final paragraph is your conclusion. Wrap up the letter by thanking them
for taking the time to read your letter and considering them for the position.
Include how you can be contacted as well as your plans to follow-up with
them.
The Specific Needs Cover Letter
This letter is a little bit different
from the paragraph letter. You
still start out with your
introductory first paragraph, and
wrap up with your final
concluding paragraph. The real
difference is how you format the
middle of your letter. Instead of
relating in paragraph form how
you meet the qualifications, you
address each one in turn.
The ‘Shopping List’ Cover Letter
Just like the previous two
letters, you start out with your
opening paragraph and close
with the same concluding
paragraph, but like the specific
needs letter, it’s the central
paragraph that’s a little
different. Rather than doing a
two column comparison or a
story style paragraph, you list
out exactly what the employer
is looking for and respond with
your own matching
qualifications.
Formatting the Letter
Your cover letter should follow the same rules as when writing any
professional business letter:
• Single space your letter with double space between paragraphs.
• Use a font that matches your resume, stick to the classics (Ariel, Verdana,
Helvetica, Calibri, & Times New Roman).
• Set margins to 1 inch on all sides, to allow for printing.
• Always use 8 ½ x 11 paper size. If printing out the cover letter (or
resume), use a higher quality paper in a light or neutral color. This helps
convey professionalism.
• NEVER go over one page! The letter should fit neatly on one page
without crowding.
Headings and Greetings
Applicant
Information
Single Space
Employer
Information
Paragraph Cover Letter Example
Remember:
Your Resume is
all about You!
Your cover
letter is all
about Them!
Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
➢ Rewriting your resume- use your cover letter to let the employer get an
insight into who you are and what you can bring to the business.
➢ Focusing on just you- the idea here is to show how you’re going to add
value to the business and what you can provide in terms of skill,
knowledge, and service.
➢ Not researching the company- take the time to research the company
you’re applying for, taking note of how they communicate with people,
what their mission and values are, and what they stand for.
➢ Retelling your job history- instead, highlight your achievements in each role
and how they can best serve the company.
➢ Not perfecting your content- proofread for grammar, punctuation, and
spelling mistakes.
➢ Writing a book- keep things short and sweet, under a page, broken into
nice paragraphs.
