Cover Letter Worksheet

Use this “worksheet” to set up the structure of your cover letter and begin brainstorming content. Look carefully at the job description to ensure you are highlighting relevant skills and experience. Throughout your cover letter, focus on how you can help the company rather than how the job will benefit you. Click “View Resource” at the bottom of this page for a printable PDF of this worksheet.

Header:

• Your name & contact info as appears on resume
• Employer contact and organization information
• Date
• Dear Ms./Mr./Mx. ____: Use the last name here of the person you are addressing the letter to, or “Dear Hiring Manager” if no name is available.

First Paragraph:

• Position & Company
• Introduce yourself: School, Year, Major
• Where did you find the job? Have you had contact with the company previously?
• Why are you qualified for this position/what relevant skills or experience do you bring? (You will go into more detail about this in the body paragraphs)
• Why are you interested in this company?

1 or 2 Body Paragraphs:

• Topic – What skill/quality/strengths are you highlighting, that match the job description/qualifications?
• How do you demonstrate you have developed this skill/strength? Examples?

2nd paragraph – Skill(s) | Brainstorm experiences that highlight how you developed or honed this skillset (work, projects, class): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3rd paragraph – Skill(s) | Brainstorm experiences that highlight how you developed or honed this skillset (work, projects, class) : ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last Paragraph:

Thank the reader, provide availability for co-op term and interviews (if special circumstances)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Use the table below to list key qualification & skills listed in the job description, match them with your body paragraph ideas from above, and choose 1-2 examples or experiences that would be strongest for your cover letter.