Like any letter, a cover letter is a formal document with certain standard components. You can review the parts of a letter and the correct formatting by using the links to the right.

In general, a cover letter includes 3-4 standard paragraphs:

• The first paragraph:
  • states your purpose ("I am writing to apply for the XXX position...")
  • notes where you learned about the job ("advertised in The Washington Post")
  • demonstrates (in a sentence or two) your knowledge of and interest in the company

  • states your basic qualifications ("I am graduating from Virginia Tech in May 2002 with Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.")

• The second and third paragraphs describe your qualifications for the position. Choose 1 or 2 key experiences from your résumé and elaborate on them in ways that connect your skills to the skills required for the job. E.g.
  • If your résumé states that you developed the user interface for a software program, your cover letter might describe what challenges you faced, what factors affected your design, and what criteria you used, so that the details demonstrate your skill in this area.
  • If your résumé states that you developed a marketing campaign as a class project, your cover letter describes your role in the development process, again, using the details to demonstrate your knowledge.

  • If your résumé states that you chaired the service committee for your fraternity, your cover letter explains exactly what you did, using concrete details to highlight your organizational and leadership skills.

• The closing paragraph
  • directs the reader to your enclosed résumé for more detail (if you haven't mentioned the résumé previously)
  • politely requests or offers the opportunity to meet in person
  • provides your contact information, including any date or time restrictions (e.g. if you'll be at a different address during Thanksgiving break)

  • thanks the reader for their time.

  Closing paragraphs can vary in tone, depending on your field. Marketing-related fields tend to expect closings that are more "aggressive" in requesting an interview and following up ("I will call you in two weeks"), while other fields prefer a more conservative approach. You may want to check with your advisor or the Career Services liason in your department for advice.

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