[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-255738-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":81,"doc-detail-255738-en":127},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":74,"head_meta":76,"extra_data":78,"updated_unix":80},105,"en","cover-letters-letters-of-interest-cover-letter-writing-guide","Cover Letters & Letters of Interest - Cover Letter Writing Guide","","Guide to crafting persuasive cover letters and letters of interest that connect personal experience to a targeted position, company, and industry. Explains the purpose of such letters, what to avoid (e.g., repeating resume bullets or adding unrelated material), and how to structure content around why the applicant is interested, how they fit, and what they can offer. Provides practical tips on formatting, length, tone, addressing recipients, and composing opening, middle, and final paragraphs with relevant examples and closing etiquette.",{"@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-letters-of-interest-cover-letter-writing-guide/255738/",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-letters-of-interest-cover-letter-writing-guide/255738.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Berry Peter","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-20","2026-09-13",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",13,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What should a cover letter emphasize to make it effective?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"Focus on why you are interested, how you fit, and what you can offer, with less emphasis on what you have to gain.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"What are common mistakes to avoid when writing a letter of interest?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"Do not simply restate resume bullet points or introduce entirely new material not present in the resume, and avoid being negative.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"What elements should each section of the letter include?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"Use the opening to state why you are writing and how you learned of the role or organization, the middle to highlight relevant skills and achievements in short paragraphs, and the final paragraph to state next steps or a clear request, along with any enclosures and a proper sign-off.","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},255738,1790197039,{"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":26,"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":140,"read_time":22},1374402524268,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_3d24733baf745e90a7e4bdd5f77d97b2","COVER LETTERS & LETTERS OF INTEREST  \nFraming before you begin to write:  \nThis is a different style of writing than you may be used to! It is persuasive, personal, semi-formulaic, and concise. A cover letter builds the bridge between you and a potential opportunity – it is how you show authentic fit and interest in a position, company and industry.  \nWhat it is: your interest and experiences as they relate to the position and skills that you can contribute.  \nWhat it is not: restating resume bullet points, introducing brand new material not on your resume.  \nTo make it great, you’ll need to first reflect on your own skill sets and accomplishments. If this is challenging, consult with a career counselor and consider doing a transferable skills inventory. After taking a good look at yourself, take a good look at the position – highlight those parts that interest you and the skills you have.  \nThe focus of the letter should be on WHY you are interested HOW you have fit and WHAT you have to give/provide them (and less about what you have to gain) .  \nTips for Success:  \n• Use a brand-new word document each time you write – just like a new paper; you are writing authentically to anew audience in each letter.  \n• Always convert to a pdf and email as an attachment unless otherwise directed by the employer, saved as _your last name_letter of interest_date  \n• One page is still optimal for many employers, however with significant experience and in certain industries a two-page letter may be appropriate.  \n• Never be negative! Focus on what you have, not what you don’t. Anywhere you see a ‘but’ change it to an ‘and’.  \n• Vary your sentence structure so not every sentence begins with “I” to create a more interesting read.  \nDate  \nEmployer’s Name and Address  \nDear   : (If you don’t know who it is, consider: a gender-neutral salutation, or Dear Hiring Manager:)  \nOpening Paragraph: The opening paragraph should state why you are writing and why you are interested in working for the organization. If you are writing a letter of application, state the name of the position for which you are applying and how you became aware of the opening. Comment on your primary career/job goal along with a summary statement of relevant skills/qualities and experiences you will expand upon.  \nExample: Recently I spoke with Jill Jones regarding my career interests in education and community service. She informed me of your search for a Program Director forA Better Chance and suggested I contact you. I am very enthusiastic about the description of the Program Director and have enclosed my resume for your consideration.  \nWhen writing a letter of inquiry, state how you became aware of the organization and request an opportunity to meet and discuss ways in which you can contribute to the organization’s efforts.  \nExample: The June 15, 2017 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer included an article about A Better Chance’s innovative residential teen tutoring program. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and learn more about your program and discuss opportunities that may be available.  \nIf you were referred to the employer by someone, the first sentence is the best place for you to mention this.  \nMiddle Section: Use this section to highlight specific skills and/or experiences (e.g., work experience, leadership, professional development, educational background) relevant to the potential employer’s needs. Present your motives for seeking employment with the organization and cite achievements and qualifications related to the position. Two or three short paragraphs are more effective than one longer paragraph.  \nExample: My interest in the Program Director position stems from its mission to create and maintain programs benefiting underprivileged teenagers with a desire to complete high school and pursue a college degree. For the past year, I have volunteered with the YWCA organizing an after-school tutoring program for 90 young women between the ages of 13","cbCaianWDWdMEAWs","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaianWDWdMEAWs","pdf",350610,"English","# Framing before you begin to write\n## What it is and what it is not\n## How to make the letter great\n# Tips for success\n## Formatting, submission, and tone\n## Recommended length\n# Letter sections\n## Date, employer details, and salutation\n## Opening paragraph\n## Middle section\n## Final paragraph\n## Sign-off and contact information","[{\"question\":\"What should a cover letter emphasize to make it effective?\",\"answer\":\"Focus on why you are interested, how you fit, and what you can offer, with less emphasis on what you have to gain.\"},{\"question\":\"What are common mistakes to avoid when writing a letter of interest?\",\"answer\":\"Do not simply restate resume bullet points or introduce entirely new material not present in the resume, and avoid being negative.\"},{\"question\":\"What elements should each section of the letter include?\",\"answer\":\"Use the opening to state why you are writing and how you learned of the role or organization, the middle to highlight relevant skills and achievements in short paragraphs, and the final paragraph to state next steps or a clear request, along with any enclosures and a proper sign-off.\"}]","Cover Letters & Letters of Interest - Cover Letter Writing Guide | PDF",1789292569]