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| Cover Letter Checklist |  |
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| Sample Cover Letter | |
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Tips
Be specific.
There may be a large number of applicants competing for the same position, therefore, it is important to keep in mind the goal of your cover letter—to explain how you stand apart from the other applicants. By using common phrases such as "I’m a team-player" you are limiting your ability to stand out. For Example:
Don’t say, "I have great teamwork skills."
Do say: "I have effectively collaborated on teams of 4-35 colleagues on 3 week to yearlong projects."
Be concise.
Make sure that every sentence and every word is necessary. For example, there is no need to say, "References available upon request," or "I am very interested in this position." These "canned" statements don’t advance your job application and that space is better utilized for displaying your skills, or letting the employer know what a good fit you are for the organization. Remember that they may be reading 200 or more applications. The more concisely stated your cover letter is, the more it will stand out and be appreciated.
Be sure your grammar and spelling are correct.
Remember that this letter serves as a sample of your writing, so edit it and show off your writing skills or get help from a tutor to polish your writing skills. Make sure that your writing is evidence that you will be a professional employee.
Be professional.
Seek a mentor in your field to help with expectations for your intended career path. To do this, you may consider joining a professional association; ask a faculty member or advisor in your department for more guidance.
Take initiative.
Try to address your cover letter to a specific person. Take the initiative to call and find out the name of the best person to address your cover letter to. If you cannot find that information, address your letter, "Dear Hiring Committee."
Be truthful.
There’s no need to stretch the truth. Honesty always pays off.
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Be positive.
Be sure to state your skills in a positive way. Don’t tell them which skills you don’t have. For example, don’t say: "Even though I don’t read and write in Spanish, I am fluent conversationally." Do say: "I am fluent conversationally in Spanish."
Invest.
Use good quality paper that matches your resume if you are submitting copies via "snail mail."
Reformat Electronic Submissions.
Use simple formatting and a commonly available font on your document so that if it needs to be submitted electronically, it won’t be too distorted when the employer opens it. You may consider saving the document as a PDF or in rich text format to ensure compatibility. Do a practice test and send the document to a friend who has a different type of computer to see how it looks. Type your name where you would normally include your signature.
Don’t take a chance!
Make an appointment to have your cover letter reviewed by a Career & Academic Advisor:
e-mail gateway@nau.edu or call (928) 523-4772.
This is a free service, available to all currently enrolled NAU students. Alumni services are offered free within a year of graduating from NAU and are provided with a fee thereafter.