[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-255168-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":81,"doc-detail-255168-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","the-cover-letter-purpose-content-and-sample-opening-keep-to-one-page","The Cover Letter - Purpose, Content, and Sample Opening - Keep to One Page","","A practical guide explains the purpose of a cover letter and how it supports a job application alongside a resume by positioning the candidate’s interests, skills, and fit for a specific role. It details a three-paragraph structure—opening, middle, and closing—then instructs on selecting 3–4 key strengths tied to job qualifications. The guide emphasizes businesslike openings, relevance to the company, and next-step communication, concluding with the recommendation to keep the letter concise and to one page.",{"@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/the-cover-letter-purpose-content-and-sample-opening-keep-to-one-page/255168/",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/the-cover-letter-purpose-content-and-sample-opening-keep-to-one-page/255168.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Patrick","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-19","2026-09-13",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",10,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What is the purpose of a cover letter?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"A cover letter provides additional information about why the applicant is interested in a position, highlights relevant skills, and explains why the candidate is well qualified. It also reinforces the candidate’s professional brand alongside the resume.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"What are the three paragraphs in a cover letter?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"A cover letter consists of three paragraphs: Opening (position and interest), Middle (strengths and qualifications), and Closing (next steps).",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"What should a good opening paragraph include?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"The opening should capture attention in a businesslike manner, clearly state the position, explain where the opportunity was found, and describe why the applicant is particularly interested in the company. Sample openings and personal reasons are provided to differentiate the candidate from generic letters.","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},255168,1790488852,{"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":136,"language":137,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":138,"faqs":139,"seo_title":140,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":141,"read_time":30},549758146520,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/80002397d8c0411e94?_k=1775819394049821470","The Cover Letter  \nPurpose  \nThe purpose of a cover letter is to give a prospective employer additional information regarding why you are interested ina position, the skills you have related to a position, and why you feel you are the best qualified candidate. A well-planned cover letter is just as important as an impressive resume and together they form an important resource in a job campaign. Your letter is a reflection of you and how you approach your work – just like the resume, the cover letter is a written representation of your brand.  \nYou should prepare a separate, personalized cover letter for each position you apply for in which a cover letter is requested by the company. Each cover letter should highlight your skills and experiences that match with the qualifications of the job you are applying for. When posting opportunities in Handshake, many companies do not require or request a cover letter.  \nContent  \nA cover letter consists of THREE paragraphs:  \n• Opening – states what position you are applying for and why you are interested in the position  \n• Middle – discusses your strengths and qualifications as they relate to the position  \n• Closing – identifies the next steps  \nRemember, keep the letter to ONE PAGE and keep it concise. The letter should refer the reader to the resume, which is always included with the cover letter.  \nOpening Paragraph:  \nThe opening should catch the reader’s attention in a businesslike manner; avoid gimmicks or catchy phrases. Clearly state the position you are applying for, where you found the position, and why you are particularly interested in this position with this company. Here are some sample openings:  \n• Reply to a job listing:  \n“I am applying for the Financial Analyst position recently posted on Handshake at the Fisher College of Business.”  \n• Name a mutual acquaintance:  \n“Professor Brutus Buckeye of the Accounting Department informed me that your firm is looking for an accounting major who is interested in tax accounting.”  \n• Make a connection with the position and why you are interested:  \n“My two years of retailing experience in a department store similar to yours, my business education, plus a sincere interest in Retail Management have helped me to learn the basic requirements for running a department efficiently. I am ready to contribute the practical skills I have acquired by becoming a part of your Management Leadership Training Program.”  \n• Briefly explain a personal reason why you want the job. Your reasons can be based on industry preferences, geographic location of the company, the fit between your values/interests and the company’s services/products, or a combination of these or other variables. A genuine show of enthusiasm, purpose, and knowledge will set you apart from others who send generic form letters.  \n“With an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, I am very familiar with Williams-Sonoma’s excellent products and am excited about beginning a career that can tap into both of my passions.”  \n Middle Paragraph:  \nAfter you have caught the reader’s attention, you must present your basic qualifications for the job. Select and emphasize 3-4 key points in educational credentials, work experience, and relevant personal qualities that connect with the qualifications outlined in the job description. If you do not have a job description, use Handshake and internet resources,  \nsuch as O*Net, to find descriptions for similar positions. It is important to have a list of requirements and qualifications as you begin the middle of the cover letter. Here are some examples for the middle paragraph:  \n• Show you have both a broad business background and depth in a particular major.  \n“I have the finance and accounting knowledge needed for this position. In my coursework, I have taken five courses in Finance and four courses in Accounting.”  \n• Highlight how your education has prepared you for the job you seek.  \n“As part of my Operat","cbCaicSjKJnxAi8U","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaicSjKJnxAi8U","pdf",124726,8,"English","# Purpose\n# Content\n## Opening\n## Middle\n## Closing","[{\"question\":\"What is the purpose of a cover letter?\",\"answer\":\"A cover letter provides additional information about why the applicant is interested in a position, highlights relevant skills, and explains why the candidate is well qualified. It also reinforces the candidate’s professional brand alongside the resume.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the three paragraphs in a cover letter?\",\"answer\":\"A cover letter consists of three paragraphs: Opening (position and interest), Middle (strengths and qualifications), and Closing (next steps).\"},{\"question\":\"What should a good opening paragraph include?\",\"answer\":\"The opening should capture attention in a businesslike manner, clearly state the position, explain where the opportunity was found, and describe why the applicant is particularly interested in the company. Sample openings and personal reasons are provided to differentiate the candidate from generic letters.\"}]","The Cover Letter - Purpose, Content, and Sample Opening - Keep to One Page | PDF",1789286744]