Cover Letters

1
Cover Letters

• A presentation brought to you by the Career
  Services Department

2
What Is a Cover Letter?

• A cover letter expresses your interest in and
  qualifications for a position to a prospective
  employer.

3
What Should My Cover Letter Accomplish?

• Your cover letter should introduce the main
  points of your resume.
• It should also help you to sell your
  qualifications to the prospective employer.

4
Introductory Paragraph

• Your first paragraph should
• Get the readers attention, stimulate interest,
  and be appropriate for the job you are seeking.
• You should make your goal clear for the reader.

5
Body Paragraphs

• Your body paragraph(s) should
• Highlight your strongest qualifications for the
  position for which you are applying.
• Demonstrate how these qualifications will benefit
  the employer.
• Lead employers to your enclosed or attached
  resume.

6
Concluding Your Letter

• Conclude by asking for an interview.
• Include a thank you.
• Mention you salary history or requirements (if
  requested).

7
Cover Letter Tips

• Use concrete words to describe your experience.
• Use present tense to discuss current activities
  and past tense for previous job duties or
  accomplishments.
• Cover letters should be no longer than one page.

8
Need help or advice with a cover letter?

• Contact your Career Services Specialists
• Stephanie Cietek 518-452-9300 x 141
• scietek_at_itt-tech.edu
• Miranda Mazzariello 518-452-9300 x 115
• MMazzariello_at_itt-tech.edu