(2) Body Section

First Paragraph

• State the specific position or type of work for which you are applying, and indicate how you learnt of the opening.

• Reference the name of the publication if you are responding to an ad or the name of the organization that referred you to the position (Career Services, employment service, etc.).

• It is OK to drop names. If you meet the president of the company and she suggested that you send in a resume YOU SHOULD CERTAINLY MENTION THIS. If you know someone else working for the organization you can mention his/her name. Warn them first though before you do!

Second Paragraph

• Attract the employer’s attention to your resume.

• Briefly describe your educational and work experience background.

• Emphasize specific skills you have that are relevant to the job.

• Use examples of your expertise and experience to make your points.

• Be sure to say why you think you are the best candidate for the position. If the advertisement lists several traits or skills the employer wants to see in job applicants, reference those skills in your letter and say how you exemplify them. Mention traits that will set you apart from other candidates.

• Use terms that the employer uses in the advertisement or that are industry specific.

• If you are responding to an advertisement, which asks for salary requirements, give a range instead of a specific number.

Third paragraph

• Take the initiative and mention the action that you will take to follow up on your letter For example, you will call soon to arrange an interview.

• Request the action you would like the employer to take: call you to arrange an interview, send you additional information, etc.

• If you will be in the employer's area or will be attending a national professional association meeting the employer is likely to attend in the near future, mention the particular dates. The employer may appreciate the opportunity to interview you with little or no expense involved.

• Express your willingness to answer any of their questions or provide additional information, and include how you may be contacted.

• Thank the reader for taking time to review and consider your materials.

(3) Signature Section

• The signature section includes the closing and your typed name.

• The closing – usually Sincerely or Sincerely Yours – should be typed two lines below the body of your letter and is followed by a comma.

• Four lines underneath the salutation, type out your full name with middle initial.

• Sign your cover letter. If you forget this, the employer may feel like you sent a form letter.

• Be sure to type "Enclosure" or "Enc: resume" if your resume is enclosed.

Formatting Rules

• Center the letter vertically on the page.

• Body text should be in a standard font. (Example: Times New Roman 12 point).

• Your return address and the signature block can be flush with either the left or the right margins. But be consistent: if you put one on the left, put both there.

• The body of your letter follows, using either indented paragraphs or flush left paragraphs. If you line up both address and signature block with the left margin, you'll probably want your paragraphs to be flush left too. This is a more modern form – and also lets you fit more on the page. Most prospective employers prefer one-page cover letters. If you use flush left paragraphs, double-space between them.

• Spacing should be standard. Your letter should be single-spaced with a double-space between the inside address and salutation, the salutation and the body of the letter, the body of the letter and the signature block, and the signature block and the enclosure reference. Spacing between your return address and the inside address can vary from 2 to 6 spaces, depending upon how your letter fits on the page.

• Margins should make your letter look balanced on the page. A standard rule of thumb is to establish equal top and side margins, with a bottom margin that is a bit bigger – ideally one-and-a-half times the size of the other margins.