Career Planning & Placement Center

Cover Letters
Your resume is your marketing brochure. Your cover letter is your introduction or 'executive summary' to your resume.

Cover Letters

The main point of a cover letter is to tie your experience directly to the job description. Look at the description and be sure the words relate directly to those in your cover letter and resume. If the employer is looking for teamwork, highlight a team experience in your resume and be sure to have included a team-related accomplishment in your cover letter. A Cover Letter should be: Concise: In 3-4 paragraphs introduce yourself, indicate where you learned of the opportunity, connect your skill set to the job requirements and state the next step. Clear: Articulate your qualifications in words that mirror what the employer provided in the job description. Do not try to impress with a long list of accomplishments. This is the executive summary, not the resume. Convincing: An employer will make a decision on your candidacy based on the combined letter and resume package. You have to articulate the connection to the job description and sell your skills. This is a competition. Why should the employer hire you?

Cover Letter Checklist

The words and action verbs in your cover letter should be reflective of the job description. Always be professional. Use proper grammar. Check for spelling and punctuation errors. Know whom the resume/cover letter package is going to. Do not use To Whom It May Concern. Address letter to the Recruiter or Hiring Manager. Use paragraph form, not bullets. Do not copy and paste content from your resume to your cover letter. Do not be forward in requesting an interview. Keep to one page (no more than 3-4 paragraphs). When e-mailing a recruiter directly, use your cover letter as the body of the e-mail and attach your resume.

see samples on other side...

Rev. 08/10

Cover Letter Samples

122 West 34th Street #202 Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 555-1212 ashleyj@usc.edu September 28, 2010 Ms. Susan Norwood Director of Marketing and Sales Media Market Management 4250 Marine Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90089 Dear Ms. Norwood, I am very interested in the internship at Media Market Management that was advertised through the connectSC website. I am a junior at the University of Southern California majoring in Psychology. During my time at USC, I have focused both on my education and gaining experience in the working world. I am currently a Sales Associate at Broadway in Century City, one of the highest volume retail stores in Los Angeles. Retail is a fast-paced environment where you must constantly be on your toes. As a Sales Associate I must sell the product, sell the image and represent the brand that is Broadway. With this experience I feel I can sell your product and image while representing the brand that is Media Market Management. This summer I was one of eight students selected to intern in Hong Kong for two months through the university-sponsored Global Fellows Internship Program. In Hong Kong, I worked for a major advertising agency where I helped in the process of creating advertising campaigns. The combination of my education at USC and work experience has equipped me with skills necessary to be a successful intern. I believe that there is so much more to be learned and this position will provide me with that opportunity. I would like to discuss my qualifications with you in person. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Ashley Jordan

February 12, 2011

Dear Mr. Doheney,

I am very interested in the Associate position at Fuller Enterprises that was advertised through the connectSC website. I am a senior at the University of Southern California majoring in Business Finance and will graduate in May.

The knowledge I have gained through business courses has enhanced my capacity to perform a job such as this one, and fostered a desire to apply my knowledge in a practical way. My internship in Finance and Control at Orange Food Supplies helped me understand the importance of attention to detail and the value of persistence. I learned firsthand that small differences add up and difficult questions require the drive to find answers. With my project touching so many parts of the business, I was afforded the unique exposure to different segments of the company, increasing my awareness of the corporate environment.

In addition to my corporate experience, my participation in the USC Trojan Marching Band has heightened my sense of dedication and time management. These skills, I feel, have adequately prepared me to be a contributing member of your organization.

I would like to have the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you in person. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

USC Career Planning & Placement Center 3601 Trousdale Parkway, Student Union 110, Los Angeles, CA 90089-4897 (213) 740-9111 careers@usc.edu http://careers.usc.edu

Thomas

Thomas Wood 1234 W. 30th Street Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 555-1212 (mobile) tommyt@usc.edu