What is a Cover Letter?

• A letter of introduction, usually three to four paragraphs in length,

that you attach to your resume
• It aims to introduce your self to a potential
employer and explaining why you are suited
for the position.
• One of the first impressions you’ll make on
an employer
• With each resume you send out, always
include a cover letter specifically addressing
your purposes.
Cover Letter Format Guidelines
Formatting includes factors such as margins, font type, font size, line,
paragraph and section spacing and document type.

▪ Font choice
✓ Choose a professional font in a 10 or 12 point size.
✓ Avoid emoticons or emojis.
▪ Email versus hard copy letters
✓ If you are emailing your cover letter, you’ll need to pay particular
attention to subject line of your email.
Cover Letter Format Guidelines
▪ Letter Spacing
✓ The body of the letter must be single-
spaced.
✓ Include a space in between every
paragraph, and in general, a space
between each section of the letter.
✓ There should be a space between the
address and the date and between the
date and the salutation.
Cover Letter Format Guidelines
▪ E-mail Spacing ▪ Proofreading
✓In an E-mail cover letter ✓Make sure to avoid errors by
where many sections are carefully proofreading your
left off, you will want to letter.
include a space between
the salutation and
between each paragraph
and another space before
your complimentary close.
Overview of the Sections of the Cover Letter
❖Contact Section
✓ Includes your contact information: complete name,
complete address, contact number/s, and E-mail address/es
❖ Date Line
✓ Indicates the date when the letter was written
❖ Inside Address
✓ Includes your prospective employer’s contact
information: complete name, company
designation, name of the company, and
complete address of the company
Overview of the Sections of the Cover Letter
❖ Salutation
✓ Serves as your greeting to the addressee
❖ Body of the Letter
✓ Considered the “heart” of the letter
✓ Includes the sections where you explain why you are interested
and believe that you qualify for the job you are applying for
❖ Complimentary Closing
✓ Serves as a “goodbye” to the addressee
❖ Signature Line
✓ Bears the name of the applicant and his signature
Writing the Body of the Cover Letter
➢ First Paragraph
✓ State how you learned about the job opening.
✓ Specify the position you would like to apply for.
➢ Middle Paragraph/s
✓ Describe what you can offer to the prospective employer.
✓ Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for.
✓ Make the connection between your qualifications and the job requirements
clear.
➢ Final Paragraph
✓ Request to be called for an interview.
✓ End with an expression of gratitude.
References:
Anonymous. (n.d.). Interviewing. Retrieved from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/lumencollegesuccessxtraining3/chapter/interviewing-2/.

Doyle, A. (2020, July 9). How to format a cover letter with examples. Retrieved from
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/cover-letter-format-2060205#cover-letter-format-guidelines.