Cover Letter Guide
The purpose of a cover letter is to capture the reader's attention. It should convey why you are interested in the company (especially if you are interested in a specific position) and emphasize the three or four characteristics of your candidacy that you feel make you an exceptional candidate. As with most correspondences, a lengthy cover letter is not necessarily a better letter. Strive to write in a concise and direct manner. Remember that your goal is to capture the reader's attention and make a good first impression.
Print your cover letter on the same paper that you use to print your resume. The letter should have one-inch top, left and right margins. A double space should separate paragraphs. The entire text should be left justified. Spelling and grammatical errors are completely unacceptable.
Read a sample cover letter (pdf).
View a downloadable version of our cover letter guidelines (pdf).
Watch our cover letter on-line tutorials!
You will need Adobe Acrobat to read the sample cover letter. Click on the button to download a free copy.
