CSU-San Bernardino Career Guide - Flipbook - Page 20
Cover Letter
A cover letter demonstrates to the prospective employer why you are interested in the company or position
you are applying to. It also provides an efective summary of your skills, experiences and why it would beneft
the company. The cover letter suggests areas where your skills and attributes would beneft the employer.
A well-written cover letter can signifcantly increase your chances of landing an interview, so it’s worth the
investment of your time and efort.
• Keep it to one page, 3-4 paragraphs at most.
Header
• Your name, address, and telephone
number should be included in the
heading and should match the style
and format to the header used on your
resume.
Date
• The actual date you are sending the
cover letter and not the date you started
drafting the letter.
Employer Information
• Should be as thorough as possible,
including a name, title, and address.
Salutation
• “Dear” followed by the persons name
and punctuated with a colon or comma.
• If you are unable to obtain the reciever’s
name, address your letter to “Dear
Human Resources Professional” or “Dear
Hiring Manager”.
Introduction/Opening
• Identify the purpose for writing and
reference how you learned of the
opportunity.
• Explain why you are interested in
working for the employer.
• Include your reason for pursuing this
type of work and why you would be a
good ft.
• Briefy introduce your qualifcations.
Body
Closing
• Re-state your interest in the position
and let the employer know that you
appreciate his or her time.
• Identify what you are sending (“Attached
you will fnd my resume”)
• Be sure to end with a strong and
confdent closing -”Sincerely”“best
Regards.”
• Include a signature by setting one up
in Adobe for electronic submissions
or signing with a black or blue pen for
paper submissions.
• Do not use quotations, verses, religious
or political afliations.
• Summarize your qualifcations in relation
to the job announcement, including
your education, work experience,
and applicable skills. Use this as an
opportunity to reveal how your past has
prepared you for the position.
• Align the employers needs with your
skills and abilities by identifying
keywords stated in the job description.
• Communicate how your skills and
experience can be of value to the
employer.
• Include a “why them” section. This shows
you’ve researched the company and
its values, making you stand out from
generic applications. It also lets them
know you’re genuinely interested in their
specifc mission, not just any job.
