Microsoft Word - cover-letters.docx

OFFICE OF CAREER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Writing a Cover Letter!

Updated 8/14

Why do you have to write cover letters?

Cover letters serve several purposes. They are NOT simply a paragraph version of your

resume. In your cover letter, you are matching your experience, knowledge and skills to the

needs of the employer, and conveying your interest in working for them.

This portrays your understanding of their needs and how you can address them.

Form cover letters do not accomplish this goal, so take the time to tailor each cover letter to the

specific employer. Secondly, the cover letter serves as a sample of your writing ability. Hence,

having a well-written and free of typographical and grammatical errors is essential.

When do I send one?

Your cover letter should accompany your resume whenever you do not. If you are attending a

career fair, a cover letter is not necessary. Instead, a follow up email is recommended.

Is there a set length?

With the exception of faculty positions, cover letters should never exceed one page. Cover

letters for faculty positions can exceed that limitation if it includes your research areas and

teaching interests.

What is the typical format?

A cover letter is a professional correspondence, so it should be formatted as such.

It should lead with your address (or your header), the date, recipient title, name and address.

Your salutation should be followed with a colon rather than a comma. Standard professional

letter format also includes the word Enclosure (if mailing) or Attachment (if emailing) at the

bottom of the letter to indicate that your resume is included.

Who do I make the letter out to?

Do your homework. If no contact person is included in the job listing, do research online to

determine who the position reports to or telephone the main line of the employer and ask who

you should direct the letter to. (Do not call the employer if they state no phone calls) If you are

unable to find a specific person’s name, address your letter to a relevant title (i.e. Dear Human

Resources Manager: or Dear Search Committee: or Dear Clinical Director:).

What’s the best way to submit my resume and cover letter?

Follow the employer’s instructions. If the employer provides several options

(i.e. email, hard mail, fax, etc.), select the one that is best for you. Keep in mind email and fax

arrive immediately, so these are the best modalities. If emailing, you have two options - you can

place your cover letter in the body of the email or include a brief email message with your cover

letter and resume attached. If an employer requests no attachments and you want to email your

materials, copy and paste both into the body of your email. If attachments are permitted, often

times, attaching your cover letter and your resume as PDFs is a better approach.

It enables you to keep the email message brief, but professional.

A sample message with documents attached may be written as:

Dear Ms. Smith:

Columbia School of Social Work

OFFICE OF CAREER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

!Writing a Cover Letter!!

I have attached my resume and cover letter in regards to the xyz position posted on your

website. If you have difficulty opening the attachments, please contact me via email or

phone at 212-555-5555. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Mary Clark

Should you choose to fax and/or email your application, you may also submit a hard copy if

desired. If you do, indicate you are doing so on the fax cover sheet or in the email message.

For example, if faxing:

Dear Ms. Smith:

I am submitting my resume and cover letter in regards to the xyz position. If you do not

receive all pages, please contact me at 212-555-5555. A hard copy is also in the mail.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Mary Clark

Columbia School of Social Work

OFFICE OF CAREER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

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Columbia School of Social Work

OFFICE OF CAREER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

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Mr. Robert Burns

Director

Brooklyn Community Healthcare

37 West 14

Street

Floor

New York, NY 10014

Dear Mr. Burns:

I would like to express my interest in applying my relevant experience to a position at Brooklyn

Community Healthcare. I am a second year graduate student completing my Master of Science

degree at Columbia University School of Social Work.

My concentration is in Advanced Clinical Social Work with a focus on Family, Youth and

Children’s Services. I am graduating in May and currently in the job search process.

I believe that my skills and experience in the mental healthcare field make me an excellent

candidate for a position in your organization.

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Attached please find my resume which includes specifics about my experiences.

I would greatly welcome the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss potential

opportunities within your organization. Thank you for you time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Mary Clark