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Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
2 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
COVER LETTER CONTENT
“I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one
instead.”- Mark Twain
3 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
PURPOSE OF A COVER LETTE
► “ ” your resume by highlighting how well your
qualifications meet their needs;
► Convince the reader of your for what you do, for
their organization, and for their product and/or service; and
► Indicate that you will clearly to their organization.
“Ask not what a company can do for you…
ask what you can do for a company.”
4 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
DECONSTRUCTING THE JOB DESCRIPTION
Deconstruct the job posting:
Review the day-to-day job and select those
areas where you will add .
Determine which are
your strong suit, and how you will present them in a
compelling fashion.
Do not mention any of your in the
cover letter but be prepared to discuss them in an
interview, and how you will compensate.
5 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
HEADER & SALUTATION
HEADER
SALUTATION
► The header should be identical to your resume, creating a professional stationery
look to your marketing material and firmly supporting your personal brand.
► A formal salutation should be used when you have all or some of the necessary
contact information. When that information is unknown, use “Dear Hiring Executive”.
6 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
TRADITIONAL COVER LETTER
Header identical to your resume
Salutation
Intent; experience or connections with the company; passion
Relevant skills matched to position, key examples of accomplishments
Closing
SEE APPENDIX FOR SAMPLES
7 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
OPENING PARAGRAPH
► Quickly establish the reason for writing (job application) and the position of interest.
► Connections or experience with the company (CRITICAL!).
names of people you have spoken with in the company
products or services you use or others have told you about
articles you read written by staff members
speeches you heard delivered at meetings or conventions or on their YouTube channel
► Directly relevant experience and especially passion.
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TRADITIONAL COVER LETTER
Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S)
► Relevant and necessary skills clearly presented.
► Match skills with requirements for position.
► Key examples of accomplishments to quantify value-added and potential for return on investment by joining the company.
► Lessons learned or knowledge gained from experience.
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TRADITIONAL COVER LETTER
Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
CLOSING PARAGRAPH
► Reiterate passion for opportunity and work.
► Reiterate overall qualifications.
► Request for follow-up to provide additional information.
► Reminder of preferred contact method.
► Thank you.
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TRADITIONAL COVER LETTER
Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
‘T’ COVER LETTER
Header identical to your resume
Salutation
Intent, experience or connections with the company, passion
2-Column table: “Your Needs” on left, “My Qualifications” on right
ClosingSEE APPENDIX FOR
SAMPLES
11 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
► Pre-qualify your resume by showing how their needs will be met by your qualifications.
► Select the top 3 or 4 needs from their Requirements list that match your qualifications.
► Align each of their Needs with your related Qualifications.
► Use their language exactly (or abbreviated) as posted. Include quotation marks to indicate these are their specific requests.
QUALIFICATIONS TABLE
‘T’ COVER LETTER
12 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
PROSPECTING LETTER
Header identical to your resume
Salutation
Intent, show understanding of business needs, passion
Relevant skills matched to position, key examples of accomplishments
Closing
SEE APPENDIX FOR SAMPLES
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Used when there are no known openings at a company of interest. The letter establishes your knowledge of the business and theirchallenges, and how you can add value. The intent is to create enough interest for them to follow-up for a conversation and exploration.
Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
OPENING & MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S)
► Quickly establish the reason for writing (to have an informational interview), indicating interest in the company and product/services, and your current situation.
► Clearly communicate you understand their business and how you have the ability to contribute value to their organization.
► Provide examples of directly relevant skills and especially passion.
► Key examples of accomplishments to quantify value-added and potential for return on investment.
PROSPECTING LETTER
14 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
Q & A
15 Boston University Questrom School of Business
Graduate Academic & Career Development Center
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