# Writing a Cover Letter - CodePath.org

A "cover letter" is a one-page document written to express why you’re the best candidate for a particular job. It is always paired with a resume, and should:

* Highlight your relevant experience
* Showcase your familiarity with the company and their goals
* Convey a bit of your personality

**Make sure your cover letter doesn't have any typos!** Use [grammarly](https://grammarly.com) and resolve all errors before sending.

## Things to Include

1. **Contact Information** – List your info and that of your target company near the top.
2. **The “Intro” Paragraph** – Grab the reader’s attention. Introduce yourself, & state why you’re a good fit.
3. **The “Hard Sell” Paragraph** – Mention why you are qualified. Use bullet points to highlight achievements.
4. **The “Research” Paragraph** – Learn about your target company, & explain how you fit into their future.
5. **The “Action” Paragraph** – Let the hiring manager know what times you’re available to interview. Mention you’ll follow up with them if necessary.
6. **The "Sign-off"** – Any of “Sincerely,” “Regards,” “Best Regards,” and your name should do the trick.

## Examples

### Without Experience

My name is [your name]. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the [position] role at your company. After reviewing your job description, it’s clear that you’re looking for a candidate that is extremely familiar with the responsibilities associated with the role, and can perform them confidently. Given these requirements, I am certain that I have the necessary skills to successfully do the job adeptly and perform above expectations.

I am a [insert positive trait] college student [(insert GPA, [major])] currently attending [college_name]. Throughout my academic career, I have been consistently praised as [insert positive trait] by my professors and peers. While working on academic and extracurricular projects, I have developed proven [insert 1-3 soft skills] skills, which I hope to leverage into the [position] role at your company.

After reviewing my resume, I hope you will agree that I am the type of competent and competitive candidate you are looking for. I look forward to elaborating on how my specific skills and abilities will benefit your organization. Please contact me at [PHONE] or via email at [EMAIL] to arrange for a convenient meeting time.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

### With Experience

My name is [your name]. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the [position] role at your company. After reviewing your job description, it’s clear that you’re looking for a candidate that is extremely familiar with the responsibilities associated with the role, and can perform them confidently. Given these requirements, I am certain that I have the necessary skills to successfully do the job adeptly and perform above expectations.

I am a [insert positive trait] college student [insert GPA, [major]] currently attending [college_name]. During the course of my academic career, I also managed to accrue nearly [# of months/years of experience] of work experience. I had the privilege of working for [your current company’s name] in a [your current job title] role in my free time, where I learned valuable professional skills such as [insert 1-3 hard professional skills]. In both my academic and professional life, I have been consistently praised as [insert positive trait] by my professors and peers. Whether working on academic, extracurricular, or professional projects, I apply proven [insert 1-3 soft skills] skills, which I hope to leverage into the [position] role at your company.

After reviewing my resume, I hope you will agree that I am the type of competent and competitive candidate you are looking for. I look forward to elaborating on how my specific skills and abilities will benefit your organization. Please contact me at [PHONE] or via email at [EMAIL] to arrange for a convenient meeting time.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

## References

* <https://resumegenius.com/how-to-write-a-cover-letter>