Cover Letter

Cover letters are often a required part of your job or internship application, and serve as another tool in communicating your personal brand to potential employers. 

A good cover letter makes the connection between your resume and the job or internship opportunity to which you are applying.  It grabs the reader's attention by making a strong case for your candidacy, differentiates you from other applicants, and highlights a few specific, particularly relevant, experiences and skills from your resume.  The language you choose to use, as well as your writing style, can highlight your personality, understanding and passion for the business, as well as your professionalism.

Cover letters serve as a writing sample, and are one way for an employer to evaluate your communication skills. Rest assured that a poorly written letter can eliminate you from consideration.  Like resumes, cover letters should be customized to the individual, position, company, and industry.  There is no such thing as a general cover letter than can be used for all positions.

Below, and to your right, you will find resources to get started with your cover letter, including guidelines and on-line workshops.  Once you have a draft of your cover letter, bring it to CCD, along with a copy of the position description, to have it reviewed by a career counselor or employer-in-residence.

Cover Letter Guidelines

Guidelines for Effective Cover Letter Writing (PDF)