Name: Cover-Letters-1
Uploaded: 2022-10-07
Duration: 5 min 45 s
Description: . . . BU COM Career Services. Cover Letters | 1. Cover Letters.

. . . BU COM Career Services. Cover Letters | 1. Cover Letters. 

Scene 1

Cover letters are meant to provide context for the resume and provide detailed examples of how you 
your relevant experience has been utilized in similar situations. Unlike a resume which focuses on the 
breadth of your experience, cover letters are meant to go into depth about several key skills relevant 
to the position you are applying for.

Firstname Lastname
(123)-888-8888 | H@gmail.coml linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname I YourOnlinePortfolioOrWebsite.com
Month, Day, Year
Name of recipient (hiring manager)
Title of recipient
Company name
Address
City, State, Zip CCKie
Dear Ms./Mr.(last name Of recipient),
If you don't know the gender,
you can write the first and last
name or "Dear Hiring Manager"
Give a brief overview of who you are and why you want to work at that organization. Be specific
about why you want to work there to show that you have done your research on the
organization. If you have met with a recruiter or someone who works at the organization
mention their name and title and something they said that made you want to apply there and
that you believe differentiates them from others in their industry. State the position you are
applying for and how you learned of the opportunity. Write briefly a few skills you bring to the
role and why you think they are a good match for the company.
This paragraph should start with a thesis sentence describing one or two key skills mentioned in
the job description. The second sentence will give an overview of the places you demonstrated
those skills (such as jobs, internships and classes). After you tell the reader the places you
demonstrated these skills, give them an in detail example Of a time where you proved that you
do this skill well. Describe this example in one or two sentences and use the "CAR" method
(Context, Action, Results). The cover letter is about DEPTH not BREADTH; you don't need to
describe every experience you have had in your cover letter.
This paragraph is optional. All cover letters should have 3-4 paragraphs. If you decide to include
this paragraph, follow the format described in the format above and describe a different skill.
Please note that you do not need to have a paragraph discussing your work experience and a
paragraph describing your academic experience. Employers are interested in you describing how
you have demonstrated that you can apply what you have learned in class.
End with a brief and polite closing paragraph. Say you are looking forward to discussing your
qualifications with them and thank them for their time. If you have another relevant skill that is
easily described and relevant (example: you are fluent in Spanish and the company works with
Spanish speaking clients) this is a good place to discuss that skill in one sentence.
Sincerely,
Your full name.

. . . BU COM Career Services. Cover Letters | 2. Full Name. 

Scene 2

(123)-888-8888 | H@gmail.com| linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname | YourOnlinePortfolioOrWebsite.com

Date 
 
Mr./Ms. ABC DEFG (Try to include a name of a person at the company if possible) 
Title 
Company Name 
Street Address 
City, State & zip code 
 
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name: 
 
Opening Paragraph

 Introduce yourself and the purpose of your letter 
 Write why you want to work at that organization (be specific, if you are applying to Nike, don’t

say you want to work there because you like sports, say something specific about that brand)

 State what position you are applying for and how you learned of the opportunity 
 If you have networked with anyone at the organization, mention who you spoke to and why

 Write what skills you will bring to the organization, not how you will benefit from the position

Middle Paragraphs (there should be no more than two of these paragraphs)

 In the first sentence of each paragraph, introduce the one to two skills that prove that you’re a

 In the following sentences describe the places you have demonstrated that skill (ex: internships,

 Choose one to two or examples/stories that illustrate how you used that skill and how it added

 Thank the hiring manager for their time 
 Re-express your interest in the role  
 Demonstrate knowledge of the employer 
 Mention that you look forward to hearing from them. For e.g. "I look forward to hearing back

. . . BU COM Career Services. Cover Letters | 3. Cover Letter Checklist Before sending out your cover letter, always double (and triple) check to make sure everything is accurate, true, grammatical, spelled correctly, and the best representation of you for that position. Use this checklist to ensure you have the basics for a good application. FORMATTING & LAYOUT. 

Scene 3

Cover Letter Checklist 
 
Before sending out your cover letter, always double (and triple) check to make sure everything is 
accurate, true, grammatical, spelled correctly, and the best representation of you for that position. Use 
this checklist to ensure you have the basics for a good application. 
 
FORMATTING & LAYOUT

____ Cover letter is 1 page or less. 
____ Name is at the top, big, bold, and clear. 
____ Text is between sizes 10-12. 
____ Text is legible in a readable font. 
____ Margins are balanced and between 0.5-1 inch wide. 
____ Cover letter is organized and easy to read. 
____ Header matches the resume header and includes my name and contact info. 
____ Address the letter "Dear Mr./Ms. [Hiring Manager's name]." (If I don't know their gender,   
         address the letter "Dear [First + Last Name]." or Dear Hiring Committee) 
____ Sign off cordially and formally with "Sincerely." 
 
WRITING & EDITING 
____ Everything is spelled correctly. 
____ Industry specific words are spelled correctly according to each company's preferences. (Is

____ Cover letter is skimmable—you can discern my experience in 30 seconds or less. 
____ Everything is in the active voice. 
____ Use strong action verbs. 
____ Writing is clear and illustrative. 
____ Write to the audience (i.e. the hiring manager). 
____ Writing is confident and engaging in a professional tone. 
____ It's short—between 200 and 350 words for the main text. 
 
CONTENT 
____ Include the job title and company name in the body of the letter. 
____ Show interest in the company's work and goals. 
____ The skills and experience match the employer's requirements. 
____ Cover letter does not repeat, rehash, or summarize the resume. 
____ Expand upon the resume through anecdotes, examples, or short narratives. 
____ Anticipate and answer potential questions the hiring manager may have. 
____ Show accomplishments and results, not just tasks. 
____ Focus on what you can do for the company, not what they can do for you. 
____ Everything included is a true and positive representation of yourself. 
____ All dates and locations are accurate.

. . . BU COM Career Services. Cover Letters | 4. Sample Cover Letter. 

Scene 4

(617) 353-3490 * dmeagle@bu.edu| linkedin.com/in/JessicaJones

Melissa Morris 
LaForce + Stevens 
41 East 11th Street 
6th Floor 
New York, NY 10003 
 
 
Dear Ms. Morris, 
 
I am writing to apply to the Spring 2016 public relations internship at LaForce + Stevens. The agency’s 
innovative digital branding strategies, especially for high-end fashion clients, are redefining the industry, 
particularly in its work with Perry Ellis. My experience in public relations and background in fashion 
design would make me a great fit for the fast-paced LaForce + Stevens team. 
 
As an account executive at PRLab at Boston University, I created a social media strategy for my client 
Ben & Jerry’s. I collaborated with other account executives to integrate innovative ideas into our online 
brand conversations to engage potential and existing followers. Throughout the semester, we have 
increased social media followers by 45% and engaged the community—especially the thousands of 
Boston-area students—in the brand through traditional and social media. In addition, I built a media list 
for Ben & Jerry’s of contacts in local, college, and national media to gain more earned coverage for the 
brand. So far, two local papers have published articles based on the press kit I assembled and pitches I 
wrote to journalists. 
 
In addition to my social media experience, I have been designing and making clothes for years in class 
and on my own. I understand the demands of the fashion industry and have the keen sense of style 
necessary to create brand strategies that compellingly represent high-end fashion brands. From my 
public relations experience and background in fashion, I would be an enthusiastic, creative asset to the 
public relations department here. 
 
I look forward to talking to you further about my skills and qualifications for the spring 2016 public 
relations internship at LaForce + Stevens. I can be reached by phone at (617) 353-3490 and email at 
dmeagle@bu.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration. 
 
 
Sincerely, 
 
 
Jessica Jones

. . . BU COM Career Services. Cover Letters | 5. Email & Cover Letters Some jobs require you to email your resume and cover letter. When you have to submit your applications this way, it is common to include a short note. These notes should include the following. Address it to the hiring manager If you’re supposed to email jobs@bigcompany.com, send the application there, but include the name of the hiring manager—whoever you addressed your cover letter to. Keep it formal Be polite and courteous. Keep it short Elaborate explanations and introductions don’t belong here. Two sentences are plenty; three is more than enough. Include the job title in the email body and subject Make sure the application ends up in the right folder. Tell them how (file format) and where (attached) they’ll find the important docs (resume + cover letter). Include your contact info and name Put your name and contact info in the body of the email and the email signature. Sample note when emailing your application Dear Ms. Hiring-Manager, I am pleased to submit my application for the account associate position at Big Ads Firm. My resume and cover letter are attached in a PDF. Please contact me at myemail@bu.edu if there is a problem with the file. Thank you for your consideration, Hopeful Applicant Hopeful Applicant myemail@bu.edu 617-753-27363 Linkedin.com/in/hopefulapplicant. 

Scene 5

Email & Cover Letters 
 
Some jobs require you to email your resume and cover letter. When you have to submit your 
applications this way, it is common to include a short note. These notes should include the following. 
Address it to the hiring manager 
If you’re supposed to email jobs@bigcompany.com, send the application there, but include the name 
of the hiring manager—whoever you addressed your cover letter to. 
 
Keep it formal 
Be polite and courteous. 
 
Keep it short 
Elaborate explanations and introductions don’t belong here. Two sentences are plenty; three is more 
than enough. 
 
Include the job title in the email body and subject  
Make sure the application ends up in the right folder. Tell them how (file format) and where (attached) 
they’ll find the important docs (resume + cover letter). 
 
Include your contact info and name 
Put your name and contact info in the body of the email and the email signature. 
 
 
Sample note when emailing your application 
 
Dear Ms. Hiring-Manager, 
 
I am pleased to submit my application for the account associate position at Big Ads Firm. My resume 
and cover letter are attached in a PDF. Please contact me at myemail@bu.edu if there is a problem 
with the file. 
 
Thank you for your consideration, 
 
Hopeful Applicant 
 
Hopeful Applicant 
myemail@bu.edu 
617-753-27363  
Linkedin.com/in/hopefulapplicant

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