Cover Letters

Best practices for writing your cover letter!
  1. Write your resume first (it will include the information that you want to elaborate on in your letter). Address your cover letter to a specific person at the company or organization. Find the right name and title. If you’re not sure, contact the business or organization and ask for that information. Make sure it’s spelled correctly!
  2. Include:
  • A short description of why you are applying for the particular job and your specific qualifications
  • A short description of your experience, and how present and past jobs have prepared you for the position you are applying for
  • Any other information that addresses your fit for the particular job
  • Generally, cover letters are around a page long (typed, single-spaced). They follow a particular style that is different from that of a personal letter (ask a Library staff person for books that will show you examples). Be informative and courteous in your writing style, and ask a friend to look for typos or misspellings.
  • The Library also offers Job & Career Accelerator (accessible remotely with a City of Wolfforth Library card), which offers guidance on creating a cover letter. Please ask one of the librarians for assistance in using these resources.
  • Here are a few other suggestions:
DO:

  • Write a unique cover letter for each job application.
  • Follow the format of a business letter.
  • Keep the length to around a page: 12-point font, single-spaced.
  • Address your letter directly to the hiring manager, if possible.
  • Focus on positive characteristics: Communication skills, planning ability, dependability, honesty, creativity, etc. Provide at least one example demonstrating your possession of these traits.
  • Write about the job you’re applying for before current or past positions.
  • Address all required and preferred qualifications in the job posting.
DON’T:

  1. Discuss personal or financial problems as justification for employment-focus on the position to which you’re applying.
  2. Send your cover letter as a separate mailing (postal or electronic) from your resume- send it all as one file.
With your library card you have access to many tools to assist you in creating a cover letter. From the catalog page you can access Learning Express Library which gives you access to Job and Career Accelerator and other wonderful tools. The library also offers a software program called Resume Maker Web Deluxe which provides the tools you need to create professional cover letters.

In addition to these tools we also have many books to assist you in your cover letter writing.  Some of the titles include:

  • Knock em’ Dead Cover Letters, 11th Edition by Martin Yate
  • The Guide to Basic Cover Letter Writing, 2nd Edition by The Public Library Association and the Editors of VGM Career Books
For a look at more of our print resources go to the library catalog page and use the search word COVER LETTER. CLICK HERE!