BU COM Career Services
Cover Letters | 1
Cover Letters
Cover letters are meant to provide context for the resume and provide detailed examples of how you
your relevant experience has been utilized in similar situations. Unlike a resume which focuses on the
breadth of your experience, cover letters are meant to go into depth about several key skills relevant
to the position you are applying for.
Cover Letter Templates
BU COM Career Services
Cover Letters | 2
Full Name
(123)-888-8888 | H@gmail.com| linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname | YourOnlinePortfolioOrWebsite.com
Date
Mr./Ms. ABC DEFG (Try to include a name of a person at the company if possible)
Title
Company Name
Street Address
City, State & zip code
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
Opening Paragraph
Introduce yourself and the purpose of your letter
Write why you want to work at that organization (be specific, if you are applying to Nike, don’t
say you want to work there because you like sports, say something specific about that brand)
State what position you are applying for and how you learned of the opportunity
If you have networked with anyone at the organization, mention who you spoke to and why
that convinced you to apply
Write what skills you will bring to the organization, not how you will benefit from the position
Middle Paragraphs (there should be no more than two of these paragraphs)
In the first sentence of each paragraph, introduce the one to two skills that prove that you’re a
good fit
In the following sentences describe the places you have demonstrated that skill (ex: internships,
work, school etc.)
Choose one to two or examples/stories that illustrate how you used that skill and how it added
value to the organization
Closing Paragraph
Thank the hiring manager for their time
Re-express your interest in the role
Demonstrate knowledge of the employer
Mention that you look forward to hearing from them. For e.g. "I look forward to hearing back
from you and your team"
Sincerely,
First Name Last Name
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Cover Letters | 3
Cover Letter Checklist
Before sending out your cover letter, always double (and triple) check to make sure everything is
accurate, true, grammatical, spelled correctly, and the best representation of you for that position. Use
this checklist to ensure you have the basics for a good application.
FORMATTING & LAYOUT
____ Cover letter is 1 page or less.
____ Name is at the top, big, bold, and clear.
____ Text is between sizes 10-12.
____ Text is legible in a readable font.
____ Margins are balanced and between 0.5-1 inch wide.
____ Cover letter is organized and easy to read.
____ Header matches the resume header and includes my name and contact info.
____ Address the letter "Dear Mr./Ms. [Hiring Manager's name]." (If I don't know their gender,
address the letter "Dear [First + Last Name]." or Dear Hiring Committee)
____ Sign off cordially and formally with "Sincerely."
WRITING & EDITING
____ Everything is spelled correctly.
____ Industry specific words are spelled correctly according to each company's preferences. (Is
Communication supposed to have an "s"?)
____ Cover letter is skimmable—you can discern my experience in 30 seconds or less.
____ Everything is in the active voice.
____ Use strong action verbs.
____ Writing is clear and illustrative.
____ Write to the audience (i.e. the hiring manager).
____ Writing is confident and engaging in a professional tone.
____ It's short—between 200 and 350 words for the main text.
CONTENT
____ Include the job title and company name in the body of the letter.
____ Show interest in the company's work and goals.
____ The skills and experience match the employer's requirements.
____ Cover letter does not repeat, rehash, or summarize the resume.
____ Expand upon the resume through anecdotes, examples, or short narratives.
____ Anticipate and answer potential questions the hiring manager may have.
____ Show accomplishments and results, not just tasks.
____ Focus on what you can do for the company, not what they can do for you.
____ Everything included is a true and positive representation of yourself.
____ All dates and locations are accurate.
BU COM Career Services
Cover Letters | 4
Sample Cover Letter
Jessica Jones
(617) 353-3490 * dm[email protected]u| linkedin.com/in/JessicaJones
Melissa Morris
LaForce + Stevens
41 East 11th Street
6th Floor
New York, NY 10003
Dear Ms. Morris,
I am writing to apply to the Spring 2016 public relations internship at LaForce + Stevens. The agency’s
innovative digital branding strategies, especially for high-end fashion clients, are redefining the industry,
particularly in its work with Perry Ellis. My experience in public relations and background in fashion
design would make me a great fit for the fast-paced LaForce + Stevens team.
As an account executive at PRLab at Boston University, I created a social media strategy for my client
Ben & Jerry’s. I collaborated with other account executives to integrate innovative ideas into our online
brand conversations to engage potential and existing followers. Throughout the semester, we have
increased social media followers by 45% and engaged the community—especially the thousands of
Boston-area students—in the brand through traditional and social media. In addition, I built a media list
for Ben & Jerry’s of contacts in local, college, and national media to gain more earned coverage for the
brand. So far, two local papers have published articles based on the press kit I assembled and pitches I
wrote to journalists.
In addition to my social media experience, I have been designing and making clothes for years in class
and on my own. I understand the demands of the fashion industry and have the keen sense of style
necessary to create brand strategies that compellingly represent high-end fashion brands. From my
public relations experience and background in fashion, I would be an enthusiastic, creative asset to the
public relations department here.
I look forward to talking to you further about my skills and qualifications for the spring 2016 public
relations internship at LaForce + Stevens. I can be reached by phone at (617) 353-3490 and email at
[email protected]. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jessica Jones
BU COM Career Services
Cover Letters | 5
Email & Cover Letters
Some jobs require you to email your resume and cover letter. When you have to submit your
applications this way, it is common to include a short note. These notes should include the following.
Address it to the hiring manager
If you’re supposed to email [email protected], send the application there, but include the name
of the hiring manager—whoever you addressed your cover letter to.
Keep it formal
Be polite and courteous.
Keep it short
Elaborate explanations and introductions don’t belong here. Two sentences are plenty; three is more
than enough.
Include the job title in the email body and subject
Make sure the application ends up in the right folder. Tell them how (file format) and where (attached)
they’ll find the important docs (resume + cover letter).
Include your contact info and name
Put your name and contact info in the body of the email and the email signature.
Sample note when emailing your application
Dear Ms. Hiring-Manager,
I am pleased to submit my application for the account associate position at Big Ads Firm. My resume
and cover letter are attached in a PDF. Please contact me at [email protected] if there is a problem
with the file.
Thank you for your consideration,
Hopeful Applicant
Hopeful Applicant
617-753-27363
Linkedin.com/in/hopefulapplicant
