Quick Guide to Cover Letters

Cover letters are a great opportunity to further showcase your relevant strengths and interest in the company and
position. Below are some basic tips on creating a competitive cover letter.
A video version of this guide can be found on the Career Management Center YouTube channel at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R2wqwpvRvI.

The cover letter has 3 main sections:

Section 1: Introduce yourself
Address these questions in the first paragraph: What are you applying for and how did you hear about it? Why do
you want this position? Why this company? What make you an attractive candidate for the position and the
company?
Example:

I am writing in regards to the Account Associate Intern position with Chesapeake Media Group. I spoke with
John Smith about the position at the CSU College of Business Job & Internship Expo last week. Based on this
conversation and further research, I am impressed by the broad range of informationfrom historical and
economic resources to relocation guidesthat Chesapeake provides to its customers. I am confident that I possess
all of the qualities that you are seeking in an Account Associate Intern, including public speaking skills, initiative,
customer service, and sales experience.

Section 2: Demonstrate your fit

Highlight the strengths and qualifications most relevant to the position. Use the job and company
description as a starting point.
Provide concrete evidence. How have you demonstrated the skills and characteristics youre highlighting?
Draw from your work, school, and/or extracurricular achievements. Keep it brief and to the point.
Show that they fit your needs and goals. How will working with them further your career development?
Show that you are enthusiastic and genuinely interested in working for them, short-term and potentially
long-term as well (if its true, of course!).

Example:

As you can see from my enclosed resume, I am completing a Bachelor of Science in Business with a
concentration in Marketing from Colorado State University. Group presentations are my specialty. Whether it is
reciting speeches in front of large classes or delivering project updates to a professor in a mock boardroom setting,
I always take the initiative on group projects to ensure the assignment is done well and on-time. Such confidence
in public speaking naturally lends to a career in sales.
My previous Sales Support Internship at Wilson Direct Marketing demonstrates the ability to go above and
beyond to meet unique customer needs. For example, when a customer had an urgent need to adapt their
marketing campaign within a 3 hour window at the request of their Chief Marketing Officer, I took the initiative to
prioritize this request, quickly brainstormed solutions with a Senior Account Manager, and worked with the
customer via phone and email to make necessary changes. I learned a great deal about customer service,
collaboration, and multiple sales techniques from this experience.

Quick Guide to Cover Letters (Continued From Page 1)

Section 3: Wrap it up

Reiterate your interest in the position and the company. Tell them you look forward to hearing from them and
provide contact information for them to reach you. Finally, make sure you thank them for their time and
consideration!
Example:

Specifically, I would be thrilled to join a company that has an outstanding record of customer service while being
in the top 5% in the nation for publishing revenue. As evidenced by the highlighted skills above and enclosed
resume, my marketing education combined with my sales experience and campus leadership roles will certainly
add value to the Chesapeake Media Group team. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to
hearing from you across the next few weeks regarding an interview. Please contact me at
Ima.Student@colostate.edu or (999) 529-1345 to arrange a meeting time.

Farewell & Signature

Use a fond farewellmost commonly Sincerely and include your name typed. To follow a business format,
include two spaces between your farewell and your name. Stop by the Career Management Center to create an
electronic signaturethis personal touch can make a difference.
Example:
Sincerely,

Ima Student

Putting it together:

Now that you have an idea of what you want to say, its time to put it all together in a professional format. Check
out our sample on page 3 make sure to keep it to a page or less.
Once youve got a draft together, have it reviewed by a career counselor. CSU College of Business students and
alumni can stop by the Career Management Center in person at 210 Rockwell Hall West, or via email at COBCMC@business.colostate.edu/phone at 970-401-1540.

Ima Student
999 S. Monaco Circle
Englewood, CO 80112
October 8, 20XX
Jill Delaney
Chesapeake Media Group
Regional Sales Manager
499 East Pennsylvania Avenue
Denver, CO 81209

Sample for formatting purposes.

Do NOT duplicate the content as this
was tailored for a specific job!

Business letter heading

with specific addressee

Dear Ms. Delaney:

I am writing in regards to the Account Associate Intern position with Chesapeake Media Group. I spoke to John
Smith about the position at the CSU College of Business Job & Internship Expo last week. Based on this
conversation and further research, I am impressed by the broad range of informationfrom historical and economic
resources to relocation guidesthat Chesapeake provides to its customers. I am confident that I possess all of the
qualities that you are seeking in an Account Associate Intern, including public speaking skills, initiative, customer
service, and sales experience.

Section 1: Introduce yourself

As you can see from my enclosed resume, I am completing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a
concentration in Marketing from Colorado State University. Group presentations are my specialty. Whether it was
reciting speeches in front of large classes or delivering project updates to a professor in a mock boardroom setting, I
always took the initiative on group projects to ensure the assignment was done well and on-time. Such confidence in
public speaking naturally lends to a career in sales.
My previous Sales Support Internship at Wilson Direct Marketing demonstrates the ability to go above and beyond
to meet unique customer needs. For example, I used critical problem solving to help a client when they urgently
needed to adapt their marketing campaign within a 3 hour window. I took the initiative to prioritize this request,
quickly brainstormed solutions with a Senior Account Manager, and worked with the customer via phone and email
to make necessary changes. I learned a great deal about customer service, collaboration, and multiple sales
techniques from this experience.
Specifically, I would be thrilled to join a company that has an outstanding record of customer service while being in
the top 5% in the nation for publishing revenue. As evidenced by the highlighted skills above and enclosed resume,
my marketing education combined with my sales experience and campus leadership roles will certainly add value to
the Chesapeake Media Group team. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you across the
next few weeks regarding an interview. Please contact me at Ima.Student@colostate.edu or (999) 529-1345 to
arrange a meeting time.
Sincerely,

Ima Student

Section 2: Show your fit

Section 3: Wrap it up
Farewell & Signature