{"id":2441,"date":"2020-09-02T09:58:07","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T16:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/?page_id=2441"},"modified":"2024-08-12T13:20:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T20:20:44","slug":"cover-letter-tips","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/internships-careers\/resources\/cover-letter-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Cover Letter Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--halves\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Your cover letter should accomplish the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Clearly route your cover letter and r\u00e9sum\u00e9 to the right person for the right job opening.<\/li><li>Show you can communicate professionally in writing.<\/li><li>Reinforce qualifications presented in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and show that you are a good fit for the company by using short narrative examples of how your experience and skills match the needs of the employer.<\/li><li>Reflect your positive attitude, personality, motivation, and enthusiasm.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-callout wsu-max-width--xxmedium wsu-color-background--gray-5 wsu-border--color-crimson\" >\r\n    <h2 class=\"wsu-callout__title\">\r\n        Need assistance crafting the perfect cover letter?    <\/h2>    \n\n<p>The VCEA Internships &amp; Career Service Office is happy to help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email <a href=\"mailto:vcea.internships@wsu.edu\">vcea.internships@wsu.edu<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2Fb9eYB\">join the Express Drop-In Hours<\/a> daily 11am-4pm.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wsu-font-size--large wp-block-heading\">Tip 1: Get into the right mindset &#8211; What is the purpose of a cover letter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your cover letter does need to be simple and quick, but since this is your very first introduction, it is vitally important that you impress them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wsu-font-size--large wp-block-heading\">Tip 2: Don&#8217;t make your cover letter generic&#8230; Target the position you are applying for.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Resist the temptation to use a basic cover letter template online and just change out the names of the job title and company. This letter doesn&#8217;t make the reader want to dig deeper and read your resume. Each letter should be unique to the position you want. Target the job, the company, the hiring manager. Get your point across quickly while being polite, friendly, and professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wsu-font-size--large wp-block-heading\">Tip 3: Address their problems and your solutions.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your cover letter should always be focused on how you can help the employer. What in it for them? What are you bringing to the table?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wsu-font-size--large wp-block-heading\">Tip 4: Quantify, quantify and measure.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Numbers are what really get the attention of most hiring managers. For them, that proves that you&#8217;re not just all talk. You can back that up with measurable results. That&#8217;s either dollars, numbers, or percentages. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Numbers: Voted most valuable employee 3 times.<\/li><li>Dollars: Increased club revenue by $2,000 with networking event.<\/li><li>Percentages: Developed procedure that reduced costs by 50%.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wsu-font-size--large wp-block-heading\">Tip 5: Be yourself, let your personality shine.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s just an example. Whatever you say throughout your cover letter should be in your own words. You want it to be direct and to the point, but you also want your personality to shine through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wsu-font-size--large wp-block-heading\">Tip 6: Spell-check then proofread, proofread, and proofread again! <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The number one reason employers throw out any application materials is due to spelling errors and typos. Use an easy-to-read font (like Times New Roman, Ariel, or Helvetica). Make sure there are not errors in it. Proofread it, proofread it again, and then get someone else to proofread it. Spell-check doesn&#8217;t catch everything, so you need an actual person to go over it.<\/p>\n\n\n<section  class=\"wsu-section  wsu-width--full\"  >\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-section__inner wsu-width--content\">    \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parts of the Cover Letter<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-container wsu-max-width--xlarge wsu-color-background--white wsu-spacing-top--xmedium wsu-spacing-bottom--xmedium wsu-spacing-padding-left--xmedium wsu-spacing-padding-right--xmedium wsu-spacing-after--xxmedium\" >\r\n    \n\n<p>My Address <br>My Address <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Current Date) March 1, 20XX <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Company Name <br>Company Address <br>Company Address <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear (insert the correct contact person\u2019s name here, or their title, or Hiring Manager): <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-callout  wsu-border--add-left wsu-color-background--white\" >\r\n        \n\n<p>Opening Paragraph \u2013 Arouse interest with a \u201cHook.\u201d Grab their attention, convey your passion and \u201cfit\u201d for the job (try one of these introductory approaches).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Tell them a story<\/li><li>Drop a name<\/li><li>Highlight something about their business<\/li><li>Talk about your results<\/li><li>Ask a question that makes them think.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-callout  wsu-border--add-left wsu-color-background--white\" >\r\n        \n\n<p>Middle Paragraph(s) \u2013 The \u201cpitch.\u201d You\u2019ve hooked them, now sell them! Highlight your relevant qualifications, results, and needs of the employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Sell your value to the company<\/li><li>Outline your strongest qualifications that match position requirements; target what they need or want<\/li><li>Give examples of you skills and experience that relate to the position<\/li><li>Provide evidence of your related experiences and accomplishments<\/li><li>Make it clear, easy to read \u2013 don\u2019t be shy.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-callout  wsu-border--add-left wsu-color-background--white\" >\r\n        \n\n<p>Last Paragraph \u2013 The \u201cclose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Quick summary (one sentence) (Ex. \u201cMy background in [industry or project], combined with my passion for your company and this role, would make me uniquely qualified to tackle [specific responsibilities.\u201d]<\/li><li>Call to action (request an interview, indicate you will call during a specific time)<\/li><li>Tell them how to contact you<\/li><li>Always thank the employer at the close of your letter for the time and consideration given to your application.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n\n<p>Sincerely, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My name signed in pen here, if hard copy \u2013 if emailed, just eliminate these three extra spaces <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My Name (typed)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div><\/section>\n\n<section  class=\"wsu-section wsu-color-background--white wsu-width--full wsu-spacing-after--none wsu-spacing-bottom--none wsu-spacing-before--xxmedium\"  >\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-section__inner wsu-width--content\">    \n<div class=\"wsu-decorator  wsu-decorator--style-block-gray-wsu\" style=\"top:0;bottom:0;left:0;height:215px;width:100%\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-container wsu-color-background--white wsu-position--relative wsu-zindex--level-4 wsu-border--add-top wsu-spacing-padding-left--xxmedium wsu-spacing-padding-right--xxmedium wsu-spacing-top--xmedium wsu-spacing-after--none wsu-spacing-bottom--none wsu-border--color-crimson\" >\r\n    \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contact\">Contact the Internships and Career Services Office<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-spacing-after--xxsmall wsu-row--halves\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<ul class=\"wsu-spacing-before--sxxsmall\">\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong>&nbsp;Dana Hall 140, 305 NE Spokane St.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phone:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"tel:5093358726\">509-335-8726<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E-mail:<\/strong> <a href=\"mailto:vcea.internships@wsu.edu\">vcea.internships@wsu.edu<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Career Coaching <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>By Appointment<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Director: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/s\/z8HObUnNHUCdM4K38rPyAQ2\">Lisa Hathaway<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Interns:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office365.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true\">Anna Nielsen<\/a> (MIS), <a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office365.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/outlook.office365.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true\">Ariana Avina<\/a> (ME), <a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office365.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/outlook.office365.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true\">Troy Buchanan<\/a> (ME), <a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office365.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/outlook.office365.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true\">Chance Shungu<\/a> (CS), and <a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office365.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/outlook.office365.com\/book\/VoilandCollegeCareerServices@email.wsu.edu\/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true\">Samantha Klein <\/a>(CS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drop-in<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Interns: <\/strong>3-4 pm, Monday through Friday<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading wsu-spacing-after--none\">Social Media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wsu-social-icons vcss-custom-social\"><li class=\"wsu-social-icons__twitter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WSUVoilandPPEL\"><span class=\"screen-reader-only\">Go to wsu twitter<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wsu-social-icons__facebook\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WSUVoilandSS\"><span class=\"screen-reader-only\">Go to wsu facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wsu-social-icons__instagram\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BAaVQIMM6mw\/\"><span class=\"screen-reader-only\">Go to wsu instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wsu-social-icons__linkedin\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/groups\/14355576\/\"><span class=\"screen-reader-only\">Go to wsu linkedin<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading wsu-spacing-before--small\">Mailing Address<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Voiland College Internships and Career Services<br>Washington State University<br>PO Box 642718<br>Pullman, WA 99164-2718<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large wsu-spacing-after--none\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"576\" height=\"126\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2019\/07\/wsu_2021_vcea_coll_career_svcs_web_logo_full_color_rgb_4in@144ppi_adobe_express.jpeg\" alt=\"WSU Cougar logo that reads Washington State University, Voiland College Career Services.\" 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