Cover Letters

Benny Cascades

cascadesb@oregonstate.edu, 541-322-3157
www.linkedin.com/in/bennycascades

Date of Writing
Recruiter’s Full Name
Recruiter’s Job Title
Company Name
Company Address
City, State & Zip

Dear (Recruiter’s Full Name):

First Paragraph: Start with an interesting sentence to help you stand out from other applicants. Continue to explain what position you are applying for and how you heard about the position. It is important to state specifically why you are interested in working for the company. Show that you have done your research by including two to three sentences on what you like about the company and how what they do aligns with your goals and values.

Second/Third Paragraph: The body of your letter is probably the most difficult part to get together. This is where you want to make clear connections between the experiences and skills that you have, and the desired qualifications for the position. You DO NOT want to restate your résumé here, but give details of experiences that support your qualifications for the position. Tell them how and why you will be a productive member of their organization. Sometimes two paragraphs are used so you can list work and internship related experiences in one paragraph, and related academic and co-curricular experiences in a second paragraph.

Closing Paragraph: In the final paragraph you should refer the employer to your enclosed résumé that further outlines your qualifications for the position, state your desire to meet with them in person to further discuss the position and your candidacy. Also indicate that you can be contacted for questions or to set up an interview and include both your email address and phone number. Last but not least, thank them for their time and consideration of your application and state that you look forward to hearing from them.

Sincerely,

* YOUR SIGNATURE *

Your Name (Typed)

Cover letter guidelines

  • Format your cover letter similarly to your resume: copy and paste the header with your contact information and use the same margins, font style and font size
  • A cover letter MUST be no longer than one page, no exceptions
  • Summarize certain experiences and skills that align with the job posting, DO NOT copy what is already on your resume
  • Be concise and avoid run-on sentences
  • Watch your “I”s, do not start every sentence with “I”
  • Proofread to make sure that your cover letters are error free – you cannot always trust spellcheck!

Who should I address my letter to?

If the job posting does not list a contact person for the position, DO NOT simply address your letter “To Whom it May Concern:”. You have a couple of additional options:

  1. As long as the posting does not say “no calls please” you have the ability to call HR or the front desk to introduce yourself, let them know what position you are applying for and ask if they would be able to tell you who you should address your letter to. If you are able to get a name, the hiring manager will know that you did something extra to find out who they are.

  2. If the posting asks you not to call or if the office will not give you a contact name, you can choose to address your letter to:

    “Dear Hiring Manager:”,
    “Dear Recruiter:”, or
    “Dear Internship Coordinator:”.

    Whichever you feel makes the most sense for the position that you are applying for

Additional resources

OSU-Cascades Cover Letter Guidebook
Cover Letter Checklist

Electronic Applications

Online application systems are more sophisticated than they used to be. They now have the ability to scan both PDF and Word documents for keywords that relate to the job that you are applying for. Many online systems will attribute a score to your application based on how it aligns with the position that you are applying for. It is best to save and submit your cover letter as a PDF.

Email Applications

If you are emailing your application to an employer, include your cover letter in the body of the email and attach your resume to the email as a PDF file. This way your resume will look the same no matter who opens it and on what device. You can also attach your cover letter as a PDF so that it is easy for the employer to print. Label your attachments as “Last Name Resume, Title of Position” and “Last Name Cover Letter, Title of Position” so that your application is easy for the employer to find later on.

Hard Copy

If you are planning to print out your cover letter to drop off  in person or to take to an interview, it is best to print your cover letter on resume paper. You can purchase resume paper at Office Depot, Staples, or any other office supply store. We can also provide a small amount to you in the Career Development Center.