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Section overview

• What is a cover letter?
• What should I include in my cover letter?
• How can I learn what will impress prospective employers?
• How do I read a job advertisement carefully?
• How can I learn what my qualifications are?
• What if I don't have a qualification the employer is seeking?
• Why is it important to learn about companies before preparing my cover letter?
• How do I format my cover letter?
• How do I organize my cover letter?
• What do I include in my heading?
• To whom should I address my letter?
• What do I write in my introduction?
• How do I approach writing my argument?
• What should I include in my argument?
• In my argument, should I show off my knowledge of the company?
• What do I include in my closing?
• Is there anything I should do before sending my cover letter to potential employers?

HTML markup by Geoff Stacks
Images and image maps created by Erin Karper
Sample letter written by Peggy S. Smith
August 2001

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