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What is a Cover Letter, and Why Do I Need One?��

A cover letter is a short, professional letter that you submit alongside your resume when applying for a job, internship, or other opportunity. It introduces you to the employer, explains why you're interested in the position, and highlights how your skills and experiences make you a strong fit.

Unlike your resume, which lists your qualifications, your cover letter tells a story. It’s your chance to show your enthusiasm for the role or organization, highlight key experiences that match the job, and explain anything not easily captured in a resume (like a career shift, a passion project, or why you're interested in that specific field).

Building the Contents of Your Cover Letter

A strong cover letter should be clear, personalized, and focused. It’s not just a summary of your resume, it’s your chance to connect the dots between your experience and the job you want. Your letter should have three main parts, plus a greeting and sign-off. Here is a link for additional tips on writing a cover letter from the and ɫ�����ֱ��.��

Introduction (1 Short Paragraph)

• State the position you’re applying for
• Mention how you found it (if relevant)
• Express excitement or interest in the role or organization

Example:
“I’m writing to express my interest in the Systems Engineering Intern position at [Company Name], as advertised on your careers page. As an engineering student with hands-on experience in aerospace design, I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to your innovative projects.”

Body Paragraph(s) (1–2 paragraphs)

• Highlight specific skills, projects, or experiences that make you a strong candidate.
• Match your qualifications to what the employer is looking for.
• Share a story, result, or achievement to back it up.

Example:
“During my time with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium, I served as a project manager for GLEE, a student-led lunar space mission. In this role, I developed technical documentation, led team meetings, and coordinated subsystem testing, which helped prepare me for real-world systems integration work like that done at your organization.”
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Conclusion (1 Paragraph)

• Reaffirm your interest in the position.
• Thank the employer for their time.
• Mention that you’ve attached your resume and that you look forward to hearing from them.

Example:
“Thank you for considering my application. I’ve attached my resume for your review, and I would welcome the chance to further discuss how my background aligns with your team’s goals.”

Cover Letter Do's and Do Not's��
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DOs

DO Tailor Your Cover Letter to Each Job

Employers want to see that you’ve read the job description and understand how you fit the specific role.

DO Show Enthusiasm��

Genuine interest in the position and company helps you stand out from applicants just “going through the motions.”

DO Highlight Your Most Relevant Skills

Focus on the experiences, projects, or strengths that match what the employer is looking for

DO Explain Why You are a Good Fit��

Don’t just list skills, connect them to how you can contribute to the team or company’s mission.

DO Use Specific Examples

Back up your claims with stories or results that demonstrate your experience and impact.

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DON'Ts

DON'T Repeat Your Entire Resume

Your resume already lists your experience. Use the cover letter to explain how that experience makes you a great fit for the role.

DON'T Use a Generic Template for Every Job

Employers can tell when your letter is copy-pasted. Personalizing it shows that you’re genuinely interested in their specific role and company.

DON'T Send It Without Proofreading

Typos or formatting issues make you look careless. Always review your letter, or ask a friend or advisor to check it.

DON'T Make It Too Long

A cover letter should be short and focused. If it’s more than one page, it likely includes unnecessary detail