In general, limit your cover letter to a single page. Remember, workplace readers skim, and prefer shorter documents. By keeping yours to a page, you show off your abilities to be concise, informative, and organized.

• Write to a specific individual; make sure you have the name, gender, and title correct.
• Begin the letter with a clear statement of the job you seek, how you learned about it, and why you want it--what can you do to help the organization.
• Use your opening section to catch the reader's attention by showing some company and job knowledge.
• Use the middle paragraphs to explain and argue for your ability to meet the organization's needs. Demonstrate how your best qualifications set you apart from other candidates and make you a good "fit." Highlight special skills, qualifications, and accomplishments. Don't talk about every quality you have; limit your discussion to the top three or four points.
• Conclude with a clear, friendly request to set up an interview.
• Make sure your letter is professional in appearance.
• Proofread. Errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar will brand you as careless or unprofessional.
• Be honest. Don't exaggerate your experience or misrepresent the truth.

The samples (see links at right) provide examples of solid cover letters, though each could, of course, be strengthened further.

Exercise: Evaluating a Cover Letter -->