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It outlines what an ideal cover letter includes, when to submit one, who reads it, and how to structure the opener, body, and closing with clear, role-relevant qualifications.",{"@graph":14,"@context":73},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/","Template",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/","Letters",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/cover-letters-how-to-write-a-great-cover-letter/256439/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/cover-letters-how-to-write-a-great-cover-letter/256439.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Aria Callaghan","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-30","2026-09-13",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",9,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What are the first rules for writing a cover letter?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"Always write your own cover letter, and never reuse a previously written cover letter. 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Unless the employer explicitly says they do not want one, submitting is recommended.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},256439,1789303926,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,89,94,99,104,109,114,118,123],{"id":85,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":86,"show_sort_weight":87,"slug":88},11,"Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":90,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":91,"show_sort_weight":92,"slug":93},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":95,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":96,"show_sort_weight":97,"slug":98},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":100,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":101,"show_sort_weight":102,"slug":103},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":105,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":106,"show_sort_weight":107,"slug":108},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":110,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":111,"show_sort_weight":112,"slug":113},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":115,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":116,"slug":117},18,30,"letters",{"id":119,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":120,"show_sort_weight":121,"slug":122},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":124,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":125,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":126},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":128},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":129,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":130,"doc_module":22,"category_id":115,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":131,"file_id":132,"file_url":133,"file_type":134,"file_size":135,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":33,"language":136,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":137,"faqs":138,"seo_title":139,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":80,"read_time":26},962084926284,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_29158cc5080c5b710cf443261637dec0","Cover Letters  \nA cover letter is often the first document an employer sees when you apply for a position, and it can establish the tone for the rest of your application. The cover letter highlights the top reasons why you’re a great fit for the position and why you are interested in working for this particular organization.  \nFirst rule of cover letter writing: ALWAYS WRITE YOUR OWN COVER LETTER.  \nSkip Google and follow the steps in this guide.  \nSecond rule of cover letter writing: NEVER REUSE A PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN COVER LETTER.  \nInstead, customize and tailor each document to the position and organization that you’re applying for.  \nWith these rules established, let’s dig a little deeper. Before you start writing, genuinely reflect on why you’re interested in this opportunity and why you would want to work at this organization. A well-written cover letter conveys your ability to effectively communicate and clearly demonstrates your interest and qualifications for the position and organization. If you struggle to express why you would like to work in this role, an employer will have difficulty picturing you in that role, too.  \nYour cover letter should sound like it comes from you rather than a robot or written like every other cover letter found in a Google search. Just as you would never turn in a previously-written paper for class, never submit a previously used cover letter. Recruiters can tell in an instant if a cover letter has been written for general use. Be purposeful about why you want to work at this organization and what you have to offer.  \nWhat is considered an ideal cover letter?  \n􀁸 Addressed to an individual or role (i.e. Hiring Manager)  \n􀁸 Tailored to a specific position  \n􀁸 One-page in length  \n􀁸 Written in conversational yet professional style with short sentences  \n􀁸 Closed with a request for action and a “Thank you for consideration”  \nWhen should you submit a cover letter?  \n􀁸 When it is requested    \n􀁸 When it is optional    \n􀁸 When there is no mention    \nUnless the employer explicitly states they do not want a cover letter, you should submit a cover letter.  \nWho will or might read a cover letter?  \n􀁸 Recruiter  \n􀁸 Hiring manager  \n􀁸 The interview team or hiring/selection/search committee  \nCareer and Employment Services • Howarth 101 • [ces@pugetsound.edu](ces@pugetsound.edu) • 253.879.3161 • [pugetsound.edu/ces](pugetsound.edu/ces)  \nAnatomy of a Cover Letter  \nPersonalize!  \nThrough LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and many other resources it is possible to determine the primary recruiter for a position. At the very least, you can determine the name of the human resources director at a larger firm or the CEO of a start-up or non-profit.  \nWow them with a good opener!  \n“After recently speaking with the head of regional sales, John Doe, I’m excited at the opportunity to bring my synergetic leadership style to the team at XYZ INC.”  \nContent:  \n􀁸 Mention how you are a good fit for the position, organization, and industry  \n􀁸 Use the job description as your guide, but also research the organization  \n􀁸 Proofread; read out loud to ensure it makes sense and flows well  \nWrap Up:  \n􀁸 Remind your reader why you are a good fit and restate your interest in the organization  \n􀁸 End on a cordial note  \n􀁸 Express your interest in speaking with them further about your qualifications  \n| Your Present Address City, State Zip Code\u003Cbr>Date\u003Cbr>Name of individual Job title of individual Organization Name Street Address or P.O. Box City, State Zip Code |  | Formatting:\u003Cbr>􀁸 Business letter, left-aligned (no indent for each paragraph)\u003Cbr>􀁸 Keep to 1 page\u003Cbr>􀁸 Body of cover letter should be 1/2 to 2/3 of a page (from start of first paragraph to end of last paragraph)\u003Cbr>􀁸 Use same font and size as resume |  |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Dear Dr. Last Name/ First & Last Name/ Hiring Manager/ Selection Committee:\u003Cbr>First paragraph: Why are you writing? Let them know what role you are applying for at their organization. Share why ","cbCailbNkwRoItCR","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCailbNkwRoItCR","pdf",674631,"English","# Cover Letters\n## Key Rules for Writing\n## Planning Before You Write\n## What Makes an Ideal Cover Letter\n## When to Submit\n## Who Will Read It\n## Anatomy of a Cover Letter\n## Formatting and Structure\n## Sample Job Description & Cover Letter","[{\"question\":\"What are the first rules for writing a cover letter?\",\"answer\":\"Always write your own cover letter, and never reuse a previously written cover letter. Each letter should be customized to the specific position and organization you are applying to.\"},{\"question\":\"What does an ideal cover letter include?\",\"answer\":\"It should be addressed to an individual or role, tailored to the specific position, and typically be one page. It should use a conversational yet professional style with short sentences, and it should close with a clear request for action and a “Thank you for consideration.”\"},{\"question\":\"When should you submit a cover letter?\",\"answer\":\"Submit a cover letter when it is requested, when it is optional, or when there is no mention. Unless the employer explicitly says they do not want one, submitting is recommended.\"}]","Cover Letters - How to Write a Great Cover Letter | PDF"]