Alumni > Cover Letters

Writing Cover Letters

This section addresses the cover letters you will write and submit with your resume to employers during your current and future job searches. A cover letter introduces you and your resume to potential employers. Cover letters typically provide supporting evidence of your qualifications, and communicate how you can add value to the organization where you're interested in working. They should draw the reader's attention to your resume. Therefore, they should be interesting, easy to read, and concise. The Center offers the following:

Self Help Resources. If possible, visit the Center and pick up a Career Guide in which are models and examples of letters. We also distribute Job Choices, a publication series that has articles on letter writing. Our career resource area has books on job searching that discuss letter writing as well. The recommended reading below will also present explanations, models and examples.

Staff Assistance/Workshops. Career consultants will be happy to discuss your letter writing concerns, either in appointments (call 315 443-3616) or during "drop-ins", 10-15 minute, unscheduled meetings available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 12 - 2:30 PM, and Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. These same times can be used for critiquing letters. The Center schedules workshops on letter writing and publicizes them in the Calendar of Events of this site and on the calendar maintained on OrangeLink, formerly eRecruiting.

Recommended Reading:

Exploratory Letters. Used to approach a target employer when no vacancy is known.

Responding to Advertised Openings