how to write a cover letter purdue owl

• Cover Letters
• Discover the Purpose
• Start With Research
• Cover Letter Breakdown

COVER LETTER BREAKDOWN

1. format header & say hello.

HEADER:  Display your name, address, phone number and email address in the same format as your resume.

DATE:  Include the date you print and mail (or email) the letter.

RECIPIENT'S  NAME & ADDRESS:  Left-aligned align this information and include an individual’s name if possible.

SALUTATION: Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name (if you’re unsure of the recipient’s gender or you want to be gender neutral, write their full name).

2. INTRODUCE YOURSELF & WHAT YOU WANT

• Immediately state the position for which you are applying and how you heard about it. If you are not applying for a specific position, indicate your area of interest.
• Mention if you were referred by someone (like an alumni or other contact).
• Introduce yourself by stating your major and anticipated graduation date.
• Mention why you find the company/organization compelling and why you want to work for them.

3. DESCRIBE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS & WHAT YOU WOULD BRING

• Point out the relevant skills you have developed through your coursework and experiences in order to show the hiring manager that you are a good fit for the position.
• Expand on the experiences that support you are a “match” for the position. Use keywords from the job description if possible.
• Describe how you would apply the skills and knowledge you gained from your experiences to the position for which you are applying.

4. WRAP IT UP & SAY THANKS

• Thank the employer for their time and consideration.
• Offer to provide any additional information.
• Provide your email and phone number in the last sentence.

End your letter with:

Your signature (leave 3 -4 spaces)

Your Typed Name

  Check out the CCO Handbook for more cover letter tips

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Cover Letter Creation Guide

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A cover letter can be a valuable tool to provide additional context to your application beyond what you can provide in your resume. For example, you might include why you are interested in working in the industry, organization, or that particular role. A well-written cover letter can help to demonstrate your fit for the role.

FIRST PARAGRAPH OR INTRODUCTION: ACTS AS BASIS OR PURPOSE OF THE LETTER

• Briefly introduce yourself (“I am a graduate student at Purdue University’s Daniels School of Business interested in…”).
• Do not include your name; it is obvious who you are because you will sign the letter.
• State the position for which you are applying, including position number if available and exact title.
• Indicate where you learned of the opportunity or what prompted you to write.
• If you are trying to set up an informational meeting to learn about the organization or trends in the field, state that you would appreciate an opportunity to talk with an organization representative about these issues.
• Transition to the second paragraph with a closing sentence that may reference what qualifies you for the position, what intrigues you about the company and/or how you fit with company goals.

SECOND PARAGRAPH OR BODY: SUPPORTS YOUR CLAIMS FOR BEING THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR THIS POSITION/ORGANIZATION

• Make a concise and focused case for how your experience, interests and skills fit the employer’s needs.
• Thoroughly research the company or organization and position description.
• Identify key words within the position description — skills and requirements — that will help you match the position and organization to your background and experiences.
• Avoid merely reciting your resume but provide enough interest for the reader to want to examine your resume for detailed information on your experiences.
• Emphasize contributions you can make to the position and why it is in the employer’s interest to hire you.
• Do not emphasize what you will get from the position or organization.

THIRD PARAGRAPH OR CLOSING: REITERATES YOUR INTEREST IN THE POSITION/ORGANIZATION

• Thank the individual for considering you as an applicant.
• Provide contact information (typically both email and cell phone) even if shown in the header or at the bottom.
• Demonstrate initiative by stating that you will contact the individual within a specific time period (“I will contact you the week of…to discuss the potential opportunity to interview, answer any questions he/she might have, or discuss the position in greater depth”).
• Include closing sentence to express enthusiasm for company/position and that you look forward to speaking with this individual.

TOP 10 BLUNDERS

• Shows no knowledge of company
• Addressed to the wrong person or company
• Spelling, grammar, punctuation errors
• Passive voice and/or awkward language
• Overly aggressive, boastful, presumptuous
• Self-centered rather than employer-centered
• Looks unprofessional and/or informal
• Merely repeats content from resume
• Too short — no value added
• Too long — won’t get read

The  Online Writing Lab  (OWL) at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional materials, and provides its services at no cost.

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Cover Letter Workshop - Introduction

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The following resources should help you conduct research and compose your cover letter (also known as the job application letter).

What is the purpose of the cover letter?

A cover letter:

• introduces you and your resume to an employer
• explains why you are writing or applying for the job
• details why you are a good match for the organization and the position
• demonstrates your abilities and helps to establish your credibility
• draws your readers' attention to specific qualifications
• provides a sample of your written communications skills
• explains when you plan to contact your prospective employer.

Tailor your cover letter to:

• show specific needs of employers and how you meet them
• persuade that your goals align with the organization's goals (mission) and that your skills align with the position requirements (also see our Effective Workplace Writing resource).

An effective cover letter:

• highlights the qualifications related to the position as laid out in the job criteria
• proves that you align well with the organization and that you meet the job requirements
• provides contact information and a plan for future contact.

Learning about the job

Your ability to learn the needs of your readers will help you write a cover letter effectively. You should learn as much as you can about your audience (your potential employer) before writing your cover letter. Your goal is to learn about the organization, its goals and needs. Then, you should learn about what kind of employee the organization needs and what an employee will be expected to do.

After reading a job advertisement, ask as many questions as you can to learn what your prospective employer wants. Lastly, think about who will be reading your job application documents - human resources, prospective employers, etc. Think about how your document many move through the organization you want to join (also see our Audience Analysis resource).

Some questions to begin with are:

• "What values and skills would a good match have for the prospective organization/job?"
• "What kind of personality do I have?"
• "What level of education do I need?"
• "What kind of work experience do I need?"

Read the job advertisement carefully. Most advertisements are divided into two sections, a qualifications section, and an explanation of what duties the hired candidate will perform.

Contact the organization

Another way to learn about a good match for the organization and job is by contacting someone with "inside information" (insiders).

Insiders include, but are not limited to:

• a professor
• your potential employer
• an expert in your field
• a person who holds the position you want at a different company.

Insiders may be able to tell you what a job entails, and what kind of person an employer is likely to hire.

If you decide to call insiders, it is essential for you to be kind and truthful at all times. Being kind will help you to avoid offending someone with whom you might work in the future. It is best for you to see each contact with a company as an opportunity to make a good impression.

When calling insiders, try to plan the flow of your conversation ahead of time.

• Start by explaining who you are and why you are calling.
• Ask questions that will facilitate an informative, friendly conversation.
• Write questions before calling to avoid a lull in the conversation.

Questions such as the following will help you to start an effective conversation:

• "What are the organization's goals/missions?"
• "What kind of person is your company looking for?"
• "What qualifications are most important for this position?"
• "Is there anyone else I can contact to learn more about your company?"
• "Is there anything you think someone with my experience should do to improve my qualifications?"

Try to keep the conversation rolling, and maintain a pleasant tone at all times. Also remember to thank your contact for speaking with you, even if he or she was unable to provide you with helpful information.

Read the organization's website

Another good way to do your audience analysis is by reading an organization's website.

Corporate/organization websites provide a good idea of what a company/organization values. Look for words that describe the company and its employees. Words repeated throughout the website reveal particularly important values. Some organization websites may even have a "Mission Statement" you can read to learn about what they want to achieve. Use the language on the website and in the missions statement to help guide your language in your cover letter.

Use college career centers

If you are in college, see what information is available at your university's career center. See if the university has any connections to this company. Career centers should have any information concerning upcoming visits of companies to career fairs. At Purdue University, the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) maintains a number of resources that are helpful for students looking for internships and jobs.

In addition, Purdue University offers a career Wiki here .

Cover Letters and Correspondence

Clear and mistake-free communication with employers is very important. Over the last ten years employers have ranked communication is the top skill they are looking for in prospective employees. Cover letters and correspondence is a chance for you to show that you have effective communication skills. Below are several links, many from the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), with good examples of correspondence.

• CCO Job Search Manual
• Academic Cover Letters
• Acceptance Letter
• Applicant Request For a Reference
• Cover Letters 1: Quick Tips
• Cover Letters 2: Preparing to Write a Cover Letter
• Cover Letters 3: Writing Your Cover Letter
• FAQs About Thank you Letters
• Follow-up After No Response to Our Interview
• Inquiry About Cover Letter and Resume​
• Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Cover Letter Example (Colorado State University)
• Letters Concerning Employment
• Rejection to Job Offer
• Request for Further Negotiation
• Sample Cover Letters
• Tailoring Employment Document For a specific Audience
• Thank You Follow Up Letters
• Thank You Letter Guide
• Tutoring Cover Letters

Career Resources

Professional Organizations assist you in your career exploration as you decide coursework, student organizations, internships and research projects.

While there are limitless careers in the field of natural resources, view our career profiles which highlights some of the career opportunities available to you.

• Career Opportunities
• ​ Discovery Education Ag Explorer​ ,  e​xplore various careers related to Animal Systems, Environmental Service Systems, Natural Resources Systems, or Plant Systems. 

Related Skills opens opportunities as employers are seeking candidates with the attributes listed.

• FNR Job Board

With over 50 employers at the FNR Career Fair, student opportunities abound with internships, summer positions and graduation career positions. FNR Career Fair

Personal Assessment can help as you narrow down your skills and interests. Take a look at these resources that help you find the career that fits you.

If you are finding that none of the career options or job postings you have reviewed are interesting maybe it is time for some personal assessment of your skills and interests. The Center for Career Opportunities​ ​ can assist with further career counseling. Below are a few sites that may be helpful as you assess where your interests and skills align with career options.

• Career One Stop
• Learn More Indiana
• My Next Move
• O*NET OnLine

The FNR Student Services is a hub of support at Purdue for FNR students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the public.

• Contact the  FNR Student Services