SHIFA 360

RESUME WORKSHOP SERIES

Cover Letter
Workshop 
Part 4:
Cover Letter Development
How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter   
Copyright © 2022 SFS of San Diego
 Resume – "The First Pitch" (or handshake) to the company 
The "Sometimes it helps to be a fast runner (in
addition to a good hitter)" . . . 

Cover Letter – "The Cardio," although not the most important

part of the game, aids in winning the interview 

LinkedIn – "Help From the Crowd," building your social

network  before the interview 

Interview – "The Final Catch"(or sell) why you are the best fit for this company  

Images from © Adobe Stock Images 

 WHAT IS A COVER
LETTER?
• It makes you seem VERY professional 
• It's to entice the recruiter to read your resume 
• It could finalize their decision on whether to interview or hire you 

• TIES YOU TO THE COMPANY

• Your chance to express your personal interest
• Knowledge on the company

Letters can be
powerful!
 • One page 
Formattin • Black, 12 pt. Font 

g • Font: Times New Roman or Calibri 

• It's an actual letter – from beginning to end!
• Don't use passive voice! 

 STRUCTURE
• Header
• Introduction 
• Body 
• Conclusion 
• Signature
Step 1. The Header

SAME AS RESUME! 

•  Name and personal information 

•  Date 
•  Company's name and address 
• "To whom it may concern . . ." OR recruiter's name
Step 2. INTRODUCTION 
•  2 – 3 sentences (SHORT)

INTRODUCE Yourself - 
•  "I am" [what you are doing]. . . 
•  Writing to you . . . 
•  Reaching out to you . . . 
•  Seeking employment . . . 

•  I believe [why are you writing to them specifically] . . . 

•  That I am a perfect fit for your company . . . 
•   My skills will benefit your company . . . 
 Body Paragraph #1 – YOU 
• Be specific :) 
• Allowed to use fluff words – when applicable 

Step 3. Setting up for you resume: 

Body •
•
The prologue . . . 
I am a dedicated community health worker of seven
Paragrap •
years . . . 
As a dedicated customer service employee . . . 
hs 
 Body Paragraph #2
The Company
• Highlight the company! 

• Review their mission statement 

• Reflect the company's values 

• How YOU reflect the company's  goals 

 Every organization
has a mission
statement/objective/
about
us/values/history
 . . . 
 SOMALI FAMILY
SERVICES
MISSION
Somali Family Service, guided by its community champions, empowers immigrants, refugees, and
other underserved communities in San Diego through its programs that promote health,
educational and economic success, and leadership development.

VISION
Somali Family Service envisions a better quality of life for refugees, immigrants, and other under-
served communities in San Diego. This vision is reached through fostering self-sufficiency, building
healthy communities, and promoting equity.
 SOMALI FAMILY
SERVICES
VALUES
In all of our work, we are guided by our core values of:
• Community
• Empowerment
• Innovation
• Sustainability
• Integrity
• Collaboration

HISTORY
Somali Family Service of San Diego was established in 2000 as a non-profit, community-based social service
organization. Since its inception, the organization has provided culturally and linguistically appropriate programs
and services to members of the San Diego Somali and other refugee and immigrant communities, easing their
transition and ensuring successful functioning in their new home. In San Diego, there is a serious lack of support
services for Somali and other East African immigrants and refugees. As an organization staffed by Somali
community members, SFS is uniquely positioned to fill this gap in the community to provide services specifically
catered to East African refugees.
Body
Paragraph
#3 (If needed)
Anything else you feel that you
should add to push the recruiter
to read your resume! 
Conclusion 
• About 2 – 3 sentences (SHORT) 

• Summarizes your two body paragraphs 

1.You 
2.The company 

• End on a strong note 

• THANK them for their time/considering you! 

 Closing & Signature 

Sincerely,  With much love,  

Frank C. Burger  Franky Burger 

 SPELL CHECK

•  Utilize spell check, but don’t rely on

REVIEWING it!   

Your Cover GRAMMAR

Letter •  Verbiage 
•  Using appropriate past, present, and
future tenses
•  Sentence length (read out load!) 

PEER REVIEW

•  Have someone else review your cover

letter
ADABPTABLE
 Keep in mind . . . 
Trying to persuade the recruiter to
read your resume 

Resume = Professional you/experiences 

Cover Letter = Emphasizing WHY you
chose this company 
LinkedIn = Bringing your resume to life 
Interview = A combination of the three! 
BROUGHT TO
YOU BY . . .

Copyright © 2022 SFS of San Diego