[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-254555-105":53,"doc-detail-254555-en":126},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":119,"head_meta":121,"extra_data":123,"updated_unix":125},105,"en","cover-letters-resource-28-samples-and-writing-guidance","Cover Letters - Resource 2.8 - Samples and Writing Guidance","","Cover Letters - Resource 2.8 provides practical guidance for creating effective cover letters when they are requested during job applications. It explains a clear structure using three or four paragraphs: opening purpose and job target, a critical qualification section tied directly to organizational needs, and a closing interview request. It also addresses salary history requests with suggested wording and includes multiple fully written sample cover letters demonstrating skills, achievements, and professional formatting.",{"@graph":63,"@context":118},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/cover-letters-resource-28-samples-and-writing-guidance/254555/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/cover-letters-resource-28-samples-and-writing-guidance/254555.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"8796093062539","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-20","2026-09-13",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":25},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"What should the first paragraph of a cover letter include?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"Explain why you are writing, state the position you are applying for, and make a strong statement about why you are qualified. You may also mention how you learned about the opening.","Answer",{"name":111,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":112},"How should the second paragraph be written to be effective?",{"text":113,"@type":109},"State your qualifications and tie them to the organization’s needs. If responding to an advertisement, use the qualifications listed in the ad as a springboard and make it clear you have them.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"What should you do if a job posting asks for a salary history?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"Include a sentence or two in the final paragraph addressing the request. Provide compatibility information (e.g., mid-to high range based on total compensation) rather than a complete salary history.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":120,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":122,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":124,"site_id":56},254555,1790452762,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":127},{"doc_id":124,"user_id":128,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":60,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":129,"file_id":130,"file_url":131,"file_type":132,"file_size":133,"view_count":25,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":134,"language":135,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":136,"faqs":137,"seo_title":138,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":139,"read_time":76},8796093062539,"Cover Letters  \nResource 2.8  \nOnce a common practice, sending a cover letter is no longer necessary. When asked for a cover letter, you should provide one. When given the opportunity in an online application to upload a cover letter, do! This is another opportunity to market your capabilities.  \nCover letters typically consist of three or four paragraphs.  \nIn the first paragraph, explain why you are writing. State the position for which you are applying, and make a strong statement about why you are qualified. You may also mention how you learned of the job opening (i.e., internet job site, colleague, etc.) .  \nThe next paragraph is critical. State your qualifications and tie them to the needs of the organization. If you are responding to an advertisement, use the qualifications listed in the ad as a springboard. You should have most of the qualifications the organization is seeking to be considered for the position. Make it clear that you have those qualifications.  \nIn the final paragraph, request an interview. Tell the employer that you will call to see when you can meet to discuss your qualifications.  \nIf the job posting requests that you send a salary history, include a sentence or two in the final paragraph addressing this request. The request helps the employer determine if your salary needs are compatible with the wages for the position you are seeking, so you don’t need to provide a complete salary history. For example, your response might be,“My salary requirements are in the low to mid-fifties, depending on the total compensation package.”This will usually satisfy the employer’s request.  \nBelow are several samples for your review.  \n© 2019 MRA | Correspondence [www.mranet.org | 1](www.mranet.org | 1)  \nCorrespondence  \nResource 2.8  \nJune M. Bunker  \n2856 North River Road ∙ City, State Zip ∙ 555-555-5555 ∙ [jmbunker@yahoo.com](jmbunker@yahoo.com)  \nJanuary 3, 20xx  \nHuman Resources  \nKSTP TV Job \\# 197-96 3415 University Avenue City, State Zip  \nDear Human Resources Manager:  \nAs an experienced administrative assistant, I am confident that I have the qualifications you are seeking in your sales department. Please consider me an applicant for the position.  \nFor the past three years, I have been the assistant to the sales director of a publishing firm. In that position, I have been the lead support person responsible for all correspondence, databases, and budgets for the sales department.  \nMy qualifications also include:  \n• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  \n• Exceptional keyboarding skills, both typing and data entry.  \n• Excellent interpersonal skills.  \n• Volunteer work during MDA Labor Day telethon at KSTP TV Studios.  \nOn many occasions, I have been the initial contact person with customers. Customers have complimented me on my telephone manner and customer service skills.  \nI look forward to discussing my qualifications for the position at a personal interview.  \nSincerely,  \nJune M. Bunker  \nEnclosure  \n© 2019 MRA | Correspondence [www.mranet.org | 2](www.mranet.org | 2)  \nCover Letter with Salary Information  \nResource 2.8  \n6574 Bluebird Place City, State Zip  \nJanuary 3, 20xx  \nMr. James Lowell Employment Manager Taurus Company 8500 Jefferson Avenue  \nCity, State Zip Dear Mr. Lowell:  \nAs an experienced project engineer, I have the qualifications for the position that you posted on careerbuilder. com. Please consider me an applicant for the position.  \nMy skills appear to be an excellent match for your requirements, including:  \n• Five years of design experience in the consumer and home products markets  \n• Project management background and strong knowledge of product development and marketing  \n• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin  \nI was recognized several times by management for excellence in the quality of my work and drivng on time project delivery. In addition, last year I received a Best Product Award from the National As","cbCaird5g4rhpD9A","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaird5g4rhpD9A","pdf",463436,7,"English","# Cover letter purpose and when to include one\n## Cover letter structure (three to four paragraphs)\n## Linking qualifications to employer needs\n## Closing interview request and salary information\n## Sample cover letters","[{\"question\":\"What should the first paragraph of a cover letter include?\",\"answer\":\"Explain why you are writing, state the position you are applying for, and make a strong statement about why you are qualified. You may also mention how you learned about the opening.\"},{\"question\":\"How should the second paragraph be written to be effective?\",\"answer\":\"State your qualifications and tie them to the organization’s needs. If responding to an advertisement, use the qualifications listed in the ad as a springboard and make it clear you have them.\"},{\"question\":\"What should you do if a job posting asks for a salary history?\",\"answer\":\"Include a sentence or two in the final paragraph addressing the request. Provide compatibility information (e.g., mid-to high range based on total compensation) rather than a complete salary history.\"}]","Cover Letters - Resource 2.8 - Samples and Writing Guidance | PDF",1789279398]