SAMPLES OF COVER LETTERS

The Four Paragraph Cover Letter

First Paragraph:
Identify where you saw the job posting
(this helps the employer know what
resources are working for them) and
explain why you are applying for the
position .You may allude to your career
goals/objective(s) in this first paragraph.
 Second Paragraph:
Describe your recent skills, work
experience and/or education. Start
relating these to the position in question
as far as possible.
 Third Paragraph:
Continue tailoring yourself to the job
description in the hiring manager's mind.
Use the duties and requirements listed in
the job posting to elaborate on what you
would bring the company.
 Fourth Paragraph:
Request an interview and offer contact
information
Ways to start
 The first sentence or two of your cover letter are the most
important ones
Ways of starting
.
 I am writing to express my interest in the International
Marketing position open at WellCam, Inc.
 I'm writing to express my interest in the Editorial Assistant
position listed on Monster.com. Given my related experience
and excellent capabilities I would appreciate your
consideration for this position.
 I am writing to apply for the systems analyst position
advertised in the Times Herald. At your convenience, I'd
appreciate the opportunity to discuss the position and my
candidacy with you.
 Second Paragraph:
 After finishing my Business degree, I was hired by Company
X to help grow their West Coast territory. I was responsible
for establishing and growing a number of different accounts
in the Technology sector.
 As a recent graduate of the San Francisco School of Business,
I put myself through school by working jobs in advertising
sales and retail. I feel these business experiences helped
solidify my work ethic and build on my formal education.
 In my current role I manage the advertising on a Top 50
consumer website. My job requires that I act as an advocate
for our internal sales staff as well as for our clients.
 Third Paragraph:
 I have very strong account management skills and enjoy
helping my clients find solutions to their business and
technology problems. In my last six months with my current
company, I have brought in over 15% of the business, and
have exceeded all of my sales goals.
 I believe I have the maturity, skills, and abilities to have a
successful career as a Financial Analyst.
 At university, I focused my extracurricular efforts on writing
and editing for the local newspaper.
 I have excellent communication skills and have generally been
regarded in my last two positions as an effective and affable
team player. I like solving problems, changing minds and
winning hearts. Although the role of Product Manager is a
slightly new one for me,
 Fourth Paragraph:
 I look forward to speaking with you further
regarding any Sales-related opportunities with
Company X
 I will be returning to California at the end of May,
and would very much to talk with you concerning
this position. I will follow up this letter with a phone
call to see if I can arrange a time to meet with you.
 I intend to visit the Chicago area in early April to
prepare for my move to the city this summer. I
would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the
possibility of my employment with your company.
 It is supposed to be a text for the reading paper, part 1 of the First Certificate in English. I would be
incredibly grateful if anyone could told me whether there is any grammar or language mistake. The task
is "You and a friend want to be volunteers in the World Support Programme. Write a letter asking for
information and details".
Thank you very much,

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to you in order to ask for some details about your World Support Programme. A friend
and I are really interested in taking part in the programme but we are in need of more information.
Firstly, I would like to know the average age of the volunteers. We are twenty-year-old teenagers and
consequently, we wish to be with people from our same age.
Secondly, I wonder if you could tell me where the programme is run and which communities we would
help. Moreover, I would be grateful if you told me which skills are needed. For instance, is it useful to
have a good English level?
In your advertisements, it is said that the programme is free of charge even though it seems improbable
to me. It would be worth if you specified whether it has no costs involved at all.
Finally, could you give me more information about the accomodation and the food? I would like to
know which kind of food is served and whether the accomodation is in houses or tents.
Actually, we wholeheartedly want to become volunteers so we look forward to receiving your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Sebastian Senlle
A letter asking for information
 Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to you in order to ask for some details about your World
Support Programme. A friend and I are really interested in taking part in
the programme but we are in need of more information.

Dear Sir or Madam

I am
writingtorequestfurtherinformationaboutyourWorldSupportProgramme, as
a friend and I are really interested in participating; and clarification of the
following details:

Firstly, I would like to know the average age of the volunteers. We are
twenty-year-old teenagers and consequently, we wish to be with people
from our same age.
Firstly, we were wondering about the average age of the volunteers. We are
both twenty and would wish to be with people our own age.
 Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to you in order to ask for some details about your World Support
Programme. A friend and I are really interested in taking part in the programme
but we are in need of more information.
Firstly, I would like to know the average age of the volunteers. We are twenty-
year-old teenagers and consequently, we wish to be with people from our same
age.
Secondly, I wonder if you could tell me where the programme is run and which
communities we would help. Moreover, I would be grateful if you told me which
skills are needed. For instance, is it useful to have a good English level?
In your advertisements, it is said that the programme is free of charge even
though it seems improbable to me. It would be worth if you specified whether it
has no costs involved at all.
Finally, could you give me more information about the accomodation and the
food? I would like to know which kind of food is served and whether the
accommodation is in houses or tents.
Actually, we wholeheartedly want to become volunteers so we look forward to
receiving your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Sebastian Senlle