Cover Letter Resources

What’s the best way to get your cover letter noticed? Personalize it. Employers can tell when a cover letter is generic; always avoid sending in generic application materials.

How to Personalize your Cover Letter

Find a specific person to address your cover letter to instead of writing “To Whom it May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”. Can’t find an exact person? At least address your cover letter to “Dear [Organization Name] Hiring Manager”
Include a statement or two in your first paragraph about why you are interested in specifically that company/organization and that particular job/internship.
Focus on the most relevant experiences and qualifications written in the job description and provide proof that you meet or exceed what they’re seeking.

Sample Structure of a Cover Letter

Paragraph-by-paragraph, learn what information to include in future cover letters.

Your Address
City, State ZIP Code

Date

Name of Individual You are Addressing Your Cover Letter to
Job Title of Individual
Name of Organization
Organization Address
City, State ZIP Code

Dear [Name of the Hiring Manager]:

First Paragraph: Be enthusiastic and indicate your reason for writing (i.e., the specific position, type of work). Tell how you learned of the opening. (If referred by someone - professor, relative, former employer/employee, etc. - it is a good idea to mention that person's name and that they suggested you write. Spend 1-2 summary sentences stateing specific reason(s) for your interest (and excitement) in the position and/or the organization.

Second Paragraph: If you recently graduated, explain how your academic background makes you qualified for the position. If you have related experience, draw 2-3 connections between experiences on your resume and specific requirements/skills listed in the job/internship description. Do not copy/paste sentences from your resume. For example, try something like this….”I understand you are looking for someone who can do_____. When I was a [insert role title from relevant previous experience you want to highlight] at [company name], I had the opportunity to do ______[speak about the skills you acquired/practiced there that match a part of the job/internship requirements descriptions] . If you do not yet have related experience, showcase how you are eager to have this experience be the next step for you professionally.

Final Paragraph: Indicate your desire for an interview to discuss how your interests and background fit the needs of the organization and the position. State your contact information (phone number, email address, etc) and other materials that may be helpful for them to learn more about you (portfolio, LinkedIn profile if complete). Thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Sample Cover Letters

5678 Turtledove Drive
College Park, MD 20740

September 1, 20XX

Mr. Juan Sebastian Roa
Head of Development and Communications
4110 Kansas Ave NW
Washington, DC 20011

Dear Mr. Juan Sebastian Roa:

I recently located the Communications Intern position with the Spanish Education Development (SED) Center through the University of Maryland's job and internship database, Handshake. I am a second-year student majoring in communication and intend to minor in Spanish Language and Cultures, which is my native language. I am interested in this position because it represents a convergence of both of my interests - education through media, particularly social media, and the Spanish language and culture. I have strong written and verbal communication skills and extensive experience using social media platforms to boost the engagement of campus-wide student organizations.

I am excited for the opportunity to apply these skills to further the mission of SED in the role of Communications Intern. I have had several opportunities to refine and strengthen my written and verbal communication skills. For example, as a Teaching Assistant for an Introduction to Communication course at the University of Maryland, I had the opportunity to collaborate with an instructor professor to tailor the curriculum to meet student’s needs, as well as liaise between the professor and a class of 30 students.

Furthermore, I graded papers and helped students identify areas of improvement in their writing, led group discussions, and took advantage of the opportunity to present to the class the role of language and communication in today's global society. Similarly, I have also developed competency with using several social media outlets. This past year, I was the public relations and social media chair for a student organization - the Undergraduate Communication Association (UCA). Independently, I developed a strategic 1-year plan that detailed how TikTok and Instagram could be utilized to engage more people on campus. Our end-of-year report showed that this plan resulted in a 70% increase in event attendance and a 25% increase in club membership.

I am very excited to bring these communication and social media strategizing skills to the Spanish Education Development Center, whose mission truly represents the kind of work I hope to contribute to in my career. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the next steps in the application process.

Sincerely,
Sasha Perez

Sasha Perez
saperez26@terpmail.umd.edu
202.345.6789

123 Elm Street
College Park, MD 20740

April 1, 20XX

Nicole Thomas
Director, Quality Control
Merck & Company, Inc.
410 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Dear Ms. Thomas:

At the University of Maryland Fall Career & Internship Fair, I had the opportunity to speak with a recruiter and learn about the entry-level Quality Control position available with Merck & Company, Inc. I will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, specializing in statistics. During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to cultivate my interest in corporate production and plant management through rigorous coursework, insightful internships, and involvement in business-related student organizations with peers who shared my curiosities.

I am excited to apply the skills I have gained at Merck & Company, Inc. My interest in operational excellence is grounded in a strong theoretical foundation. At UMD, I had the chance to gain field-relevant critical thinking skills through courses such as Applied Research Methods, Business Statistics, Collective Bargaining, and Operations Management. Then, I had the opportunity to apply my academic learning through various internships. For example, last summer, I worked at Kraft Foods as a production intern. In that role, I gained valuable experience in both quality control and operations management.

As I learned about the importance of delivering safe food products customers can trust, I became interested in applying my skills in the broader healthcare industry, which led me to research the work of Merck & Company, Inc. In addition to internships, I have also been active in many business-related campus clubs and organizations, which have continued to foster my interest in the successful functioning of large-scale businesses and companies.

To conclude, I believe my motivation, independent work ethic, and aptitude for statistics make me a strong candidate for this position.

I am eager to meet with you to discuss this exciting opportunity further and to hear from you about the next steps in the application process. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Jason Vincent

Jason Vincent
jvin28@umd.edu
240-222-2226

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