Advice on what to include in your cover letter

Include information about yourself that allows you to initiate rapport with the employer and convince the reader that you are a candidate worth interviewing. Generate interest with your content and turn that interest into a desire to interview you. Explain why you are contacting this particular employer and then tie yourself to the specific job category or work area.

The cover letter gives you an opportunity to briefly describe your professional and/or academic qualifications and to identify the job title or general area you are interested in. Relate yourself to the company and give details as to why you should be considered for the position. Call attention to your merits by highlighting one or two of your special contributions or achievements. Include any qualifications, contributions, and attributes that prove you are someone with plenty of talent to offer. Use this paragraph to identify the most important reasons why an employer would want to hire you.  If you say you can do something (or did do something) important, give one or two specific examples.

Make it clear that you want to talk to the interviewer. Explain when, where, and how you can be contacted. Be proactive. The cover letter gives the reader an impression of you, so make it strong and make it obvious that you are a serious contender for the position.

If you are applying for a job that involves special knowledge, be sure to include it.  For example:

• knowledge of various computer languages
• knowledge of various software
• ability to use special machinery or tools

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