University of California Berkeley Career Guide - Flipbook - Page 29
Cover Letter Draft
A cover letter tells the story of your qualifications as they relate to the position for which you are applying. Let the
job description be your guide when considering which experiences to share. Use keywords and qualifications in the
description to reflect on areas in which you have experience or transferrable skills. The more customized your cover
letter is to the job; the easier it is for the employer to see you performing the job!
Paragraph 1: ATTENTION Introduce yourself briefly. Indicate the job you are applying to and how your background
makes you a good fit for the position. Include a contact from the organization if you know someone.
Paragraph 2: INTEREST Explain why you are interested in the position or the organization. This is your chance to show
the employer that you have read the job description and know the company. Use the space below to consider these
questions:
What stands out to you about the position? For example, if a position requires the use of Spanish-speaking skills, tell
the employer how you used this skill as a conversation partner in a campus club.
Why do you want to work at this company? Is it the company culture, their mission or an initiative of interest?
Be specific.
Paragraph 3: FIT Give concrete examples of experiences or skills you have that make you a good fit for the position.
Use keywords or qualifications from the job description. Here is an example:
Job Description
Qualification:
The ideal candidate
will be able to build
strong relationships with
customers.
Your Customized Cover Letter:
As a Guest Services Assistant with the MLK Student Union, I addressed customers’
needs by frequently checking on them throughout their event. I promptly
accommodated modifications to the event details, which led me to build strong
relationships with our customers as evidenced by a 100% positive evaluation rate.
How would you relate an experience or story to a job description?
Paragraph 4: CLOSING Reiterate your interest by indicating that you would like to request an interview and thank the
employer for their time.
Fact: Did You Know? Strong written communication is a
top skill employers seek. A well-organized cover letter
that articulates your thoughts clearly and concisely is
your opportunity to demonstrate a mastery of this skill.
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