• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

You are here: Home / Career / How to Buff Up Your Cover Letter

How to Buff Up Your Cover Letter

April 7, 2011 //  by Nicole Eisenberg

FacebookTweet

Before summer, you body isn't the only thing you need to buff up; your cover letter needs just as much work. With a little workout, you and your cover letter can be in tip-top shape with some help from George Washington University's Career Center.

The overall goal of your cover letter is to be a "sample of written communication skills" that highlights your expertise. The letter should be modeled in a one-page, three to four paragraph prose, in 10-12 point font. The body of the letter should be single-spaced with a double space between paragraphs. Each time you apply for a position, you should be revamping your cover letter to be customized to the employer and the specifics of the job.
 

Your cover, formatted as a business document, begins with your name and address. It should be followed by the date and also the name and address of your contact.
 
When greeting your letter, make sure to be professional yet personal. If you have met the contact already, you should especially begin your letter with  "Dear Mr. Employer."  If you do not have a name to head the letter to, begin with "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Human Resources Director."
 
Your first paragraph should explain why you are writing to the professional in the field and how you found out about the position. This is your time to name-drop that your uncle is best friends with the CEO or that your academic advisor personally recommended the position to you, since she is the wife of a partner.

In the second paragraph, you should describe the skills and accomplishments that you have that match the qualifications in the job description. Try to differentiate your cover letter from your resume by explaining something further or introducing something new all together. If necessary, this part can be two paragraphs long.
 
The final paragraph should include a request for an interview, job consideration, or other opportunity. Make sure to include your phone number and e-mail address.
Conclude with a salutation such as "Sincerely," "Best," or "Regards."
 
Here's an example:

 
123 Success Court
College Park, MD 20740

 
March 25th, 2011
Company XYZ
123 Corporate Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21403
 
To Whom It May Concern:
 
I first came across Company XYZ's position using my University's career searching tool. I am very excited to bring my already developed skills in developing presentations, marketing, and advertising to Company XYZ's Internship, as well as furthering these skills and gaining new knowledge in research and monitoring, selling materials, and performing detailed retail analysis. As a Marketing and Finance double major at the University of Maryland, I know my academic background as well as my extracurricular involvement will be an asset to Company XYZ.
 
In my Introduction to Business course, I was responsible for creating a fully developed business plan and compiling this information to present for fifteen minutes with a team of four others. Because I learned about the preparation and deliverance of presenting with this course and in other courses such as Introduction to Communications, I will be able to bring already developed presentation skills to Company XYZ and will be eager to improve upon these already established skills as well. 
 
In addition, the experiences I had with Company LMNOP's Marketing Internship during the summer of 2010 developed my skills in advertising, professional writing, company analysis, and event planning. I look forward to applying these skills that I have acquired through application in the field. Along with my enthusiasm for the field of Marketing, these skills will help me succeed at Company XYZ.
 
My resume is enclosed for your review. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. I can be reached by phone at (123) 456-7890 or by email: [email protected] Thank you for your time and for your consideration!
 
Sincerely,
Awesome Student

FacebookTweet

Filed Under: Career Cover Letter How to Write a Cover Letter Life

About Nicole Eisenberg

Sophomore > Marketing and Finance > University of Maryland

You May Also Like

5 Tips for Getting Your Social Media Ready for the Professional World

resume styles

College Magazine’s Guide to Resume Styles for Landing the Job

Community College Professor walks through the halls

Higher Education: Why Teaching Community College Makes the Ideal Career

College Magazine’s Guide to the Engineering Major

Writer

How to Use Your Creative Writing Degree: 10 Tips and Tricks

corporate

7 Insider Tips on How to Climb the Corporate Ladder

career development

How Your College Career Center Can Land You a Job During COVID-19

how to become a software engineer

College Magazine’s Guide to Becoming a Software Engineer

CM Guide Health Science

College Magazine’s Guide to the Health Science Major

Overview of three people at a desk working

Work in the Way? 10 Guilt-Free Reasons To Leave Your Job

10 Office Ethics Commandments That Apply to Daily Life

What Is a Good Credit Score and How Do I Get One of Those?

10 Invaluable Skills You Get from Learning and Working Virtually

future teacher

CM’s Ultimate Guide to the English Education Major

Finance Managers

Become the Next Warren Buffett: CM’s Guide to Portfolio Management

cover letter

The Cover Letter: Your Secret Weapon into the Professional World

peace corps

Top 10 Well-Kept Secrets to Succeeding in the Peace Corps

online portfolio

10 Steps to Building an Impressive Online Portfolio in 2020

woman on the phone

Bridge the Gap: CM’s Guide to the Interpreting Profession

internships

How To Make Your Internship Work For You

professionals working together

CM’s Guide to the Public Relations Major

doctors medical school good majors for medical school

10 Good Majors For Med School that Aren’t Biology

woman working a remote job

Remote Job Offers: 10 Tips to Help You Make Up Your Mind

letter

How to Write a Thank You Note to Land That Dream Job

Previous Post: « Do College Professors Really Earn Their Paychecks?
Next Post: Austin Stowell: Celeb On The Rise »

Primary Sidebar



Trending Posts

climate change protest
335

Top 10 Colleges Where You Can Make A Difference in the Climate Crisis

226

The 10 Best Organizations You Should Donate To in 2021

coffee w heart
11

A Barista’s Guide to Making Delicious Coffee Drinks at Home

6

5 Reasons Why You Should Become a Morning Person in 2021

2

Keeping Up with the Coronavirus: How is it Spread?

Featured Chapter: UCLA

Footer

logo

College Magazine is the national daily guide to campus life. Our articles for college students feature university rankings of U.S. colleges, college guides, academic advice, college prep, career advice, student health and collegiate dating tips.

Written by students for students, by a team of journalists from universities nationwide, we’re on the pulse of the college experience.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

Majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

Intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

Money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

Travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

Shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

Copyright © 2021 College Magazine · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.