Cover Letter Sample: Harrington School
Format
A cover letter is a one-page introduction that accompanies your resume when applying for a job or internship.
Copy the header from your resume & use the same header and font in your cover letter. At the top of the page, write the address of the company you are applying to work at.
Whenever possible, the cover letter should be addressed to a specific person. If the hiring manager or contact person is not named in the job description (common), look at the company’s website and/or LinkedIn page to identify the leader of the team you are applying to join.
Content
A cover letter is a piece of persuasive writing where your goal is to convince your audience that they should move your application forward to the next round of reviews. With that in mind, you can use the same organization you would for a standard five-paragraph essay:
Opening Paragraph
Get their attention! Use a creative opening that catches attention. “I am excited to apply for [job title] at [company]” reads as generic, particularly in the age of ChatGPT-generated cover letters.
Address your motivation for applying. Be sure to answer both why you want to work for this organization AND why you want this particular position/role.
Introduce the main claim/thesis of your cover letter: Why are you the right person for the job?
Body Paragraph(s) (1-3 total)
Open each body paragraph with a topic sentence introducing an experience or skill that qualifies you for the role. Then, summarize the relevant evidence.
After introducing your evidence, be sure to tie it back to your thesis: Why does this skill or experience make you a good candidate? How will it help you excel in the role?
Closing Paragraph
Restate your thesis: Summarize your qualifications and interest in the role
Include a call to action. How can they reach you about the next steps in the hiring process?
How to Use This Resource
Access the Sample Cover Letter by clicking the “View Resource” button at the bottom of this page. The sample letter will open in a Google Doc.