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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?

 


In my argument, should I show off my knowledge of the company?

It is useful to feature knowledge of a company, as it will show you've done your research and you feel you're a good match for the corporation. For example, "Indiana Midwestern Insurance values a commitment to customer satisfaction. My experience shows I can work with people from different backgrounds and cultures, which demonstrates that I know how to put customer satisfaction first."

However, we advise you not to let knowledge of a company overwhelm your cover letter. You have very little space to show why you are the best person for the job, and it is best to use this space to focus on transferable skills, accomplishments, awards, and special projects.


HTML markup by Geoff Stacks
Image maps and images created by Erin Karper
August 2001


owl home || writing lab and owl || handouts || workshops and presentations || Internet resources

This page is located at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/coverletter/showoff.html


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