YoUR step-by-step cover letter guide
Cover letters are an important part of most applications – even in the digital age. They give you an additional chance to advertise why you’re a good fit (the best!) for the opportunity you’ve decided to pursue. Strong cover letters complement your resume without simply restating them. Good news! As a Spider, you have very strong communication skills. More good news! Like other forms of business communication, cover letters tend to follow conventions that make it easier for you to convey your talent and experiences in terms your reader will understand.
Anatomy of a Cover Letter
True cover letters (separate documents rather than a “cover email”) include contact information, formal salutations, a body of 3-4 paragraphs, and a formal signature. Cover emails don’t include the contact information but retain the rest, sometimes in a condensed form.
The first paragraph should state why you are writing. Identify the position you are seeking and the source from which you learned of the opportunity (Handshake, company website, professor, etc.). If you are inquiring about potential opportunities, describe the type of position you are seeking. Specific statements are far more effective than vague generalities. Specify your interest in and reflect your knowledge of the organization and position. Letters that take this specific, marketing-oriented approach are usually far more successful than generic letters in a mass mailing. Capture the interest of the reader in these opening lines and highlight a few key skills or qualities that make you arightfor the role. It’s OK if this paragraph is on the shorter side, say two to four sentences.
The second and/or third paragraph(s) should make the connection between the position requirements and your background, skills and experiences. Choose two or three aspects of the job description that you think are most important. Rather than repeating your résumé, use your cover letter to draw out themes from your résumé and emphasize the strongest and most relevant skills and qualifications you can contribute. Back up these statements with specific examples. You want to offer proof of your skills, and readers remember narratives, .
The final paragraph should restate your enthusiasm and interest in the position, along with a future plan of action. Indicate a fit or match between you and the organization or opportunity. If you provide a follow up date, be sure to do so within that time frame. If necessary, specify your preferred or most reliable contact information (email, phone, mail). Show your appreciation to the reader for their time and consideration.
Step-by-step: How to write your cover letters
- Make a list of the qualifications in the job description, e.g. experience with marketing, proficiency with Python, knowledge of international art markets. Also identify the less tangible characteristics, such as the ability to work independently, creativity, or an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Research the organization. What do you know or can you learn about their mission, market position, strategic priorities, organizational structure, etc.?
- Brainstorm your roles and experiences for each qualification listed in the first step. Review your resume for reminders of how your experiences prove the above.
- Check out the first few bullet points or skills listed in the job description. The qualifications are usually listed in priority order and can give you an idea of what they value in this role.
- If you can include numbers/qualifying outcomes to support what you are saying, jot those down.
- Choose two or three qualities/skills from the above list that best highlight why you’re ideal
- Focus on experiences where you had big results, where you demonstrate similar work to this role, or that just make you stand out.
- Identify any remaining qualities/skills that you want the hiring manager to know (if space allows)
- Start by writing the body paragraphs (the opening and closing ones can wait)
Many Spiders find that they can use the STAR technique to help structure these middle paragraphs at an appropriate level of specificity. Happy days! You can use the STAR technique for interviews and resumes, too!
S – Situation (context, such as your employer or project)
T – Task (the specific charge or problem you were asked to solve)
A – Action (what you did)
R – Result (quantify whenever you can)
Once you’ve laid out your Situation, Task, Action, and Result, don’t stop there. Connect it: say why this experience fits what the role specifically needs, and why it mattered to you. Those extra connecting ideas are what separates an effective body paragraph from a resume bullet in disguise!
6. Now that you’ve written your central body pagraph(s), work on the opening. Aim to stand out and avoid sounding generic or unenthusiastic.
- Paint an interesting, excited picture of yourself as a potential employee. Tell a story about why you’re drawn to the position, or what you love about the company. Call out the most important thing you want the hiring manager to know about you
7. Close out the letter with your final paragraph. Reiterate your excitement and how they can contact you.
8. Compare your cover letter to your resume. Are the two consistent? In the process of tailoring your resume and cover letter, make sure that one doesn’t end up contradicting the other.
Tailoring
Just like resumes, cover letters should be specific to the opportunity for which you’re applying: Cover letters showcase your “fit” for a specific role by highlighting relevant skills and experiences. You want to make it as easy as possible for employers to see this fit.Tailoring just means matching your letter to what the employer wants. Even if your summer jobs or volunteer opportunities weren’t in same field as the internship you want now, they probably helped you build relevant skills. Pull out these themes in your cover letter, highlight your skills, and showcase outcomes whenever you can.
Does this mean you need to create a new cover for each opportunity? At first…yes! Most students find that they quickly develop a small library of cover letters, each suited for a type of role in a particular industry.
Tailoring is a useful skill, and the process will help you both learn about roles and industries and prepare for interviews. Good news: YoUR Spider Prompt Library includes a “tailoring” prompt for your favorite chat bot. Even more good news (can you stand it?): our team of human staff is always ready to lend a hand.
After you send your application
Sometimes, submitting an application can feel impersonal, especially if you don’t yet have a connection with the hiring company or organization. Many application systems send confirmation receipts. Save these in an organized way. If you don’t receive a confirmation, you can consider asking for one. In any case, professional etiquette certainly allows you to follow up on your application. In fact, our good colleagues at Handshake have some tips about how. As long as you’re respectful, concise, and reasonable about timeframe, following up can be an effective step in the process.
It’s a good idea to create a system to record what you have sent to whom. Include your follow-up communication in your log, and keep track of whether and when you receive a response.
When done well, cover letters can help you differentiate yourself in the recruitment process, and keeping organized will give you an added edge!
Cover Letter Dos and Don’ts
