Crafting the Perfect Cover Letter

With the Spring Career, Internship & Service Fair just around the corner (February 21) and many deadlines for Summer internships quickly approaching, perfecting your resume is extremely important, but it is important to spend time crafting your cover letter as well.

Here are five tips for you to keep in mind when creating that perfect cover letter, or CV, from Intern Queen Campus Ambassador Ellie, from Iowa State University.

1:  Keeping in mind the company’s mission statement, as well as key words the company uses to describe their employees is important to show that you know the companies values and ideals.

2: Typically, cover letters are only three to four paragraphs long. The first paragraph should be an introduction of yourself, why you would like to intern for them, and then how you heard about this opening. The next paragraph should be a brief background of your experience and knowledge that are applicable to the internship. Also, what skills that you have that would help you be the best intern for their company; in this paragraph, utilize those key words from the company’s website. The last paragraph should entail how you are open to the opportunity to meet and how you appreciate the chance to further discuss your qualifications and skills. Thank them for their time and you’re done! Simple as that.

3: Always send your cover letter as a PDF. It is easier for them to access the file, and it will not get distorted.  Also, entitle it as your name, then cover letter, for example, John Doe Cover Letter. It will make the job a lot easier for the person sorting applications.

4: Usually, applying for an internship includes sending email enclosed with a resume and cover letter. In the body of the email, introduce yourself and what internship you are applying for. Also, ask if they need any writing samples and provide them with your personal blog, or social media pages your write content for.

5: Always take the time to review your cover letters and make sure that it explains how your skills relate to the criteria listed in the job posting.

Even though writing a CV for each position may be a little time consuming, it helps to show a company that you have gone the extra mile for them.


To view the original article, visit:
http://www.internqueen.com/blog/2012/02/five-tips-to-crafting-the-perfect-cover-letter/
Original article from internqueen.com by Ellie, Iowa State University Campus Ambassador