Cover Letter Guide

Introduction

As you apply for internships, jobs, and other opportunities, you should strive to present your most relevant story to your reader. The purpose of a cover letter is three fold: a Statement of Intent, a Value Add to the Company, and an Opportunity for you to Learn and Grow. Your resume provides a broad sketch of who you are, where you have been, what you have been doing, and when you did it. 

Like any piece of writing, “write with the reader in mind.” A well-written cover letter provides the why and how, expressing Demonstrable Interest in the Industry, and Directly Related or Transferable Skills. You can include information that is not visible on your resume, such as: what first sparked your interest in the field/industry? How does your past experience prepare you for the opportunity? Why are you interested in this particular role with this organization? 

Cover letters showcase your ability to communicate, and highlight your past experience, in a way that demonstrates your potential to contribute to the employer. This guide can help you write a cover letter that answers an employer’s questions and strengthens their interest in getting to know you. 

About Cover Letters

There are two types of letters associated with applying for, or seeking, an employment opportunity:

  1. Cover Letter – commonly used when responding to a job or internship posting. This format is the focus of this guide.
  2. Solicitation Letter – commonly used when seeking an opportunity with an organization that does not have a formal, posted position. For examples of this type of outreach, see the Center for Career Design Networking Guide.

When you are asked to submit a cover letter as part of an application, your job is to spell out exactly how you meet the top skills listed in the position description. Successful cover letters go beyond simple descriptions of your skills and background; they tell the reader how you can help the organization. Keep reading to learn how to plan your cover letter and take a look at our sample cover letters below. 

A strong cover letter anticipates and answers three key questions for your reader: 

  1. What are your most relevant experiences, competencies, skills, and accomplishments as they relate to the position? (This will be conveyed by what is cited in the job description)
  2. Do you understand the industry and the organization’s needs—and can you add value as a strong contributor?
  3. Why are you interested in the position? Is the organization’s culture and work environment compatible with your values?

Planning and Writing Your Cover Letter

  • Review the key qualifications and responsibilities of the position.
    Use the job position description, focusing on the Qualifications and Responsibilities sections to serve as guiding points for organizing your letter.
  • Research the organization to fully understand their defining characteristics and position within the industry. Read the organization’s website, search for them on Handshake, and use some methods found in the Job Hunting Resources: Undergraduates resource.
  • Identify keywords and trends for the employer, the industry, and your position of interest.
  • Consider setting up an informational interview with any alumni, peers, or other contacts associated with the organization. Use Handshake, LinkedIn, and Dartmouth Connect to identify potential contacts.

  • Do not repeat your entire resume. Selectively discuss only 2 or 3 key experiences that best represent the skills, knowledge, and outcomes that are most relevant to the position. 
  • Focus on the employer’s interests and needs, not what you hope to gain. Make sure to explicitly connect each of your experiences/examples to the responsibilities of the role.
  • For every application you submit, customize the cover letter.

All cover letters should follow standard business format and layout.

  • Margins: 0.7” to 1″
  • Font: size 10 – 12; in the same style as your resume
  • Align the text to the left side of the page
  • Single-spaced paragraphs
  • Save as a PDF, unless the application specifies otherwise
  • Cover letters should not exceed one page in length

  • Include the name, address, and contact information for both you and the employer.
  • For your contact information, use the same header as your resume.
  • For the employer contact information, include the name and title of the contact person, the company name, and the street address. Put each item on its own line.
  • Include the date you are submitting the documents.

  • Always address the letter to an individual when possible. (If you can’t locate a name, address it to Dear Hiring Committee or Internship Program Coordinator.)
  • Check to see if the position contact lists their preferred gender pronouns on LinkedIn, the company website, or as part of the position posting.
    • If no gender preferences are provided, or the individual identifies as non-binary, use Dear First and Last Name (example: Dear Terry Dewitt)
    • If using a salutation, stick with Mr. and Ms. (do not use Mrs.) 
  • Avoid general and vague salutations such as:
    • Dear Sir or Madam:
    • To Whom It May Concern:
  • To find contact information for the organization:
    • Search in Handshake using these instructions:
      When you are logged in, go to the Employers tab, select the organization that interests you, and check the Contact Info and the Public Staff List
    • You can also call the main number for the employer and ask 

  • Your introduction serves as the thesis statement of your cover letter. 
  • Clearly describe your interest in the employer/industry, the position you are applying to, and succinctly state the relevant qualities you bring to the position. 
  • If you have a connection, reference an individual from the organization with whom you have communicated: “After learning about (employer), from (name of individual), I am writing to apply for the (position title).” Note: never put a person’s name in a cover letter without their permission.
  • Consider adding a sentence that demonstrates research, such as: “According to the CDC, 20 percent of American patients who died of Covid-19 had an underlying condition such as diabetes. This drives my desire to enter a position that explores how different health conditions impact each other.”

  • Clearly describe how your selected experiences will be beneficial to your employment in this position AND connect your experiences back to the responsibilities of the role (refer to the posting!). 
  • We recommend choosing one of these two structures: either one paragraph per relevant experience or one larger well-structured body paragraph (see sample cover letters).

  • Reiterate your interest in the position – this is your opportunity to state what interests you in the role, the industry, and/or the organization’s culture.
  • Close with an ask for a specific action: (“I look forward to speaking with you further as to how my _____ skills/experience will be beneficial to your organization in the _____ role”), and facilitate a reply by giving your contact information. 
  • Always reference your resume and thank the organization for their consideration.

For more help schedule an appointment with a Center for Career Design Career Coach by scrolling to the top of this page and selecting the “Schedule An Appointment” button!

Cover Letter Sample #1

JAMIE JONES

HB 3000 Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 • Jamie.L.Jones.21@dartmouth.edu • 456 789 1011  

Linkedin.com/in/jamieljones 

September 7, 2022

Randi Handel, Director of Human Resources
McNeil, Gray & Rice
One Washington Mall
Boston, MA 02108

Dear Randi Handel:

I was excited to see that McNeil, Gray & Rice recently advertised its need for a Publicist/Writer on LinkedIn. It is clear that the position requires someone who is a strong communicator, a talented newspaper editor, and who has experience within the field of corporate and public relations. My experience with The Dartmouth and a Fortune 500 client would be an asset to your firm’s mission of optimizing strategic communications for corporate clients. McNeil, Gray & Rice, in particular, attracts me because of its track record with technology firms—a personal and professional interest of mine.

Through my position at The Dartmouth for the past four years, I have developed strong communication skills, by writing for our college paper. Two years ago I became The Dartmouth‘s Opinions Editor—a position awarded to me in recognition of my ability to hit tight deadlines, pay attention to detail, and exercise careful judgment in covering the sensitive topics we often feature. Furthermore, I helped the organization hit its goal of expanding online readership through the use of well-written, consumable online pieces. I will bring the same enthusiasm to the Publicist/Writer position with McNeil, Gray & Rice.

This summer, I further developed these skills during a virtual internship within Rudder Finn Inc.’s Corporate & Public Trust practice. I had the privilege of working with a Fortune 500 client on a campaign to publicize its charitable work within communities affected by COVID-19. Throughout my internship, I developed my proficiency in creating compelling messaging, maintaining professional contacts at key media outlets, and evaluating ways to reinforce a firm’s brand identity. These are all skills I could put to work at your firm. In this field, results are critical; I am proud that the press releases issued by our team were featured in six different papers, including two nationals. Additionally, one of the human interest stories I personally researched and developed was picked up by two local news stations.

My goal is to build upon my experience in strategic communications in a position that leverages and further enhances my skills in writing, editing, journalism, and new digital media. I also appreciate that McNeil, Gray & Rice’s size allows for work with a wide range of clients as part of a tight-knit, cross-functional team. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jamie Jones

Cover Letter Sample #2

ALEX WYSE
Hanover, NH • Alex.B.Wyse.21@dartmouth.edu • 345-678-9101 •  www.linkedin/in/alexbwyse

July 30, 2022

Amy J. Connolly, Vice President of Global Recruitment and Development
EF Education First
1 Education Street
Cambridge, MA 02141

Dear Ms. Connolly:

I am writing to apply for the 360 Global Management Trainee position listed with the Dartmouth Center for Career Design. My academic and volunteer experience reflect my deep interest in education and cultural awareness. I would welcome the opportunity to bring this passion to EF, especially in a role that would build upon my experience in managing service learning experiences focused on other cultures. 

In addition to my experience in experiential education, I offer you analytical, managerial, and leadership skills. As a candidate, my top key attributes are:

  • Demonstrated competencies in service learning: My volunteer work has exposed me to experiential education models used by learning-based non-profits. I have experience as a volunteer, community liaison, and leader in three different organizations. Leading mission-driven endeavors at non-profits has cultivated my ability to focus on people, impact, and the quality of the volunteer experience. It has also enhanced my ability to build lasting relationships between stakeholders.
  • Full suite of quantitative and qualitative research skills: As a Psychology major, I am well versed in research methods such as formal surveys and interviews, as well as statistical packages including R and Stata. 
  • Written and verbal communication: As the Tucker Foundation Intern for Faculty Engagement, I would bring to EF experience in communicating with stakeholders and interest groups both “up” and “down” the organizational chart. Similarly, my research work in psychology demonstrates my ability to communicate nuanced ideas in a clear, concise manner.

My lifelong vision is to grow into a leadership role within the nonprofit education sector.  I would welcome the opportunity to help EF shape programs for the post-pandemic era. I am confident that the mission of EF aligns easily with my professional values, experiences, and goals. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the position in a Zoom interview. 

Sincerely,

Alex Wyse

Cover Letter Sample #3

KARA SMITH
Hanover, NH • Kara.A.Smith.23@dartmouth.edu • 234-567-8910 •  Linkedin.com/in/karaasmith

July 17, 2021

Tanner Yoon, Campus Recruiter
Oliver Wyman
1166 Avenue of the Americas, 29th Floor
New York NY, 10036-2708

Dear Tanner Yoon:

It was a pleasure meeting you at Oliver Wyman’s “Women in Consulting” information session over Zoom. Your description of OW’s culture resonated with my own values around teamwork, respect for people and process, and idea development. I am excited to apply for the Summer 2022 Management Consulting Intern position posted through Dartmouth. I look forward to building upon our conversation and discussing my interest both in consulting and being a part of the OW team. 

Having developed a set of core analytical and problem solving methods through my coursework in Economics and Mathematics, I would be well-positioned to excel with the responsibilities and tasks expected of interns at OW. In core Economics courses, I developed a comfort using multivariate regression in various pricing models. I regularly apply these concepts to current real world problems through my work as a Research Assistant. Specifically, my current research focuses on the impact of performance incentives on risk assessment and lending within commercial banking—a topic that is particularly pertinent following the global financial crisis. My ability to analyze real world data and use it to build a set of recommendations would be an asset to a team helping clients develop strategies.

In addition to my analytical skills, I offer you leadership skills. As the Vice President of Dartmouth’s Women in Business club, I founded a volunteer program that does financial education programming at the Upper Valley Haven, a non-profit serving people struggling with poverty. In this program, Dartmouth students are paired with Haven residents for 8 weeks to build basic financial literacy through a series of workshops and exercises. Due to COVID-19, I worked with student leaders and staff to convert the program into a formal curriculum that can be offered virtually on demand. I will bring this initiative and creativity to OW.

My background in finance and strategy, comfort with client work, and experience as a team contributor and collaborator draw me to the mission and culture of Oliver Wyman. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications could benefit your work in strategy and organizational transformation. Thank you for your consideration.

Best Regards,

Kara A. Smith

Cover Letter Sample #4

JADE XU
Hanover, NH • Jade.Xu.23@dartmouth.edu • 123-456-789 •  Linkedin.com/in/jade.xu23

June 9, 2021

Ms. Helen Hsu
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
381 Lafayette Street
New York, NY, 10003

Dear Ms. Hsu:

For as long as I can remember, my family has teased me because I am never content just looking at a picture; I always seek out details. Who took the photo? What type of equipment was used to take it? Who might not be included? What was the event that sparked the photo? This curiosity led me to major in Art History at Dartmouth College and now leads me to apply for an internship at the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. 

Based on the position description you posted on my school’s career platform, Handshake, I understand that the internship would involve maintaining (physical) object files documenting Rauschenberg’s artwork and library research in preparation for a catalogue raisonné. This is similar to work that I have performed as an intern for the Hood Museum of Art on Dartmouth’s campus—a position that has required strong attention to detail and precise care of objects. Through this position, I was invited to research and write several descriptions for pieces in the Museum’s Still Life Collection. These will be displayed for the first time when the museum is open again post-pandemic. Since you requested a sample of my research and writing skills, I am attaching the descriptions for your review. (If you would like any additional information on the context of these pieces, please let me know. I have learned from my mentor that the process of curation almost always involves an active discussion with colleagues—deciding what to leave out is as important as deciding what to include.)

I was first exposed to Robert Rauschenberg by my art history teacher in high school. It would be an honor to help support the work and memory of an artist whose body of work is described as “one of thoughtful inclusion,” yet which can also at times be quite playful. 

I am interested in a Fall term internship and would be available from mid-September through the last week of November. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications could benefit your work in preserving, promoting, and sharing Rauschenberg’s work. Thank you for your consideration.

Best Regards,

Jade Xu

Appendix: Style Tips

After you have your content and you know what you want to convey, here are some tips about how to say it effectively:

How to establish your reason for applying in the first paragraph:

A good approach is to cite something about the culture of the organization (why you are interested in that particular organization) and the service they provide (why you are interested in that particular industry).

I’ve followed with great interest Smedley Inc.’s tremendous growth over the last two years, and I would be excited by the opportunity to contribute to its success within the widget sector. Additionally, when I reached out to both Jane Daria (New York office) and Judi Handel (Boston office), I learned about the critical role design thinking plays at the firm… 

My coursework—which focuses on both software design using Java and C++, as well as design thinking within engineering—positions me to contribute to Smedley’s project and programming work. 

OR 

My coursework as an engineering and computer science major, combined with my experience in app development and serving on software project teams, would allow me to contribute to the products and design work that distinguishes Smedley from others in the field.

How to talk about yourself so it matters to employers – demonstrate your abilities instead of telling them!

I am a strong leader.

This sentence would most likely get ignored by employers because it is just a statement; it offers no proof. It also sounds a bit inflated.

I have strong leadership and communication skills.

This sentence is still telling—not demonstrating.

My time as vice president of the Pan Asian Society—a student club whose membership grew by over 20% during my tenure—demonstrates my commitment to leadership and achieving results…

This sentence works because you are citing evidence of your strong leadership.

I’m interested in this position in part because you are seeking a candidate who has a proven aptitude for leading teams and achieving results. I offer a track record that demonstrates both. My time as vice president of the Pan Asian Society—a student club whose membership grew by over 20% during my tenure—demonstrates my commitment to results-driven leadership.

This connects your background and leadership sensibilities directly to the job description.

My internship with UNHCR, which focused on refugee resettlement after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, compliments the additional policy research and humanitarian advocacy work I have done for other local and international programs. 

Here, the writer is working to establish a track record of experience within the field.

How to not start every sentence with “I”

Ex) I have experience within the field of qualitative research, including creating, administering, coding, and interpreting surveys within the social sciences.

Nothing is wrong with this sentence, but you could want to vary your sentence structure.

My experience includes deep exposure to qualitative research, especially developing, administering, coding, and interpreting survey results.

My qualitative research experience—including extensive experience in designing, administering, and coding qualitative surveys—would allow me to hit the ground running on the kinds of projects associated with this position.

In addition to my coursework, I also have project experience…

Because you are seeking a candidate skilled in survey design and coding, I wanted to emphasize some of previous work I have contributed to within this area…

Your work at Centurion revolves around highly-functioning teams. Whether in the classroom or on the playing field, I spend most of my days as a collaborator, leader, and teammate.