Date    (generally space a blank line space between the date and name)

Name (first, middle initial if known, last    (check and double check spelling)

Title

Company name     (check and double check spelling)            (Misspellings have cost jobs!)

Address

City, State, Zip

Recipient's e-mail address and phone - optional

Dear Mr. Jones, or Dear Ms. Smith:  (This is the salutation.)           (No “To Whom it May Concern”)


State your purpose in writing.  (A) If you are writing to apply for an advertised position, state the title of the position, the date you heard of it, and the source. (B) If you are contacting a company with no known open position that you have targeted because it is of interest to you, say why the firm is of interest to you.  If you were referred to someone in the firm by one of your network contacts, name your contact in the first sentence, and then state your reason for writing.


Type 1:  In a cover letter for an advertised or open position, in 1-2 paragraphs discuss the job's requirements and how you meet them.  Be specific.  For each requirement (or at a minimum the primary / most critical requirements, generally occurring at the top of the requirement's list) describe a specific example of you having performed that type of work, and state the outcome, i.e., your results.

A variation, depending on your style of writing, is to list your accomplishments.  In paragraph form, state that you meet the requirements, and are experienced in performing the required work and have accomplishments to prove it.  Then list your accomplishments (work + results).  Introduce your list of accomplishments/qualifications as illustrated below by stating:

I have extensive experience designing, implementing, and overseeing _______________, as illustrated by:  
      ●    Example/Accomplishment  (Note:  State requirement + action you took and outcome
      ●    Example/Accomplishment
      ●    Example/Accomplishment
      ●    Example/Accomplishment
      ●    Example/Accomplishment

Type 2:  In a cover letter sent to a firm of interest with no known open position,  state the work the firm does, and how your skills and experience could fit in and provide benefit.  Caution:  Do your homework.  Your research should be accurate about the nature of the firm’s work and needs.  The danger of misstating a type of work being done can damage your credibility and lessen, or eliminate entirely, your chances of gaining a meeting or interview.
Show that you meet requirements by writing in paragraph form, or bullet points as shown above.


Conclude that as you provided benefit to previous employers, you would appreciate the opportunity to do the same for them.  Request the next step; ask for a meeting, interview, or opportunity to meet and discuss how your competencies could benefit their firm.
Option:  Include your contact information: phone number and e-mail address.*


Sincerely yours,  Sincerely, or Best regards

written signature

Full name typed
 Option:  Include your contact information: phone number and e-mail address underneath your typed name.*


Enclosure:  Resume, Reference List
ENC:  Resume, Bio, Work sample