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Before you get started, here are some rules of thumb for writing
cover letters:
- The cover letter is an advertisement that lets the
recruiter understand why you are writing and how you can contribute
to their organizations.
- Avoid generalizations. Your cover letters should reflect
unique understanding of the organization you are contacting; experienced
recruiters can usually tell when you cut corners by running a
mail merge.
- Be brief. If you find yourself shrinking the font size
to 10 points in order to get everything on one page, then you
have probably written too much.
- In the first paragraph of the letter you should cover the
basics of who you are (“I am a first-year student at
the Yale School of Management”) and why you are writing.
Have your friends proofread your letters. If English is
not your native language, please have another student who is a
native speaker check for errors and grammar.
- Double check the name and address of the recipient, and
don’t forget to sign the letter before you send it.
The sample letters in this packet are intended to give you a feel
for the format of a typical cover letter. The letters you submit
to recruiters are writing samples that reflect your ability to
communicate ideas. Please do not copy phrases from these - or
other - cover letters to place in your own correspondence.
If you feel that you need additional assistance composing your
cover letters, please make an appointment with a Second-Year Career
Counselor or one of the CDO’s Resume Reviewers.
Letters are an essential component of the job-search process. A
crisp, well thought-out letter will help advance you to the next
stage, whereas a poorly written letter reflects negatively on the
set of skills you bring to potential employers and puts you at a
competitive disadvantage. Effective writing is a skill you will
want to sharpen as you proceed and you will want to make note of
those letters that generate the greatest results. The term “cover”
letter refers to a letter that serves as an introduction to enclosed
material. .
Whether you are writing a letter of introduction, a response to
a job listing, or a thank-you letter, all serve as a vehicle for
your job search campaign. Each letter should be written with careful
thought and be representative of your style and potential. Similar
to a one-on-one meeting, a first impression can be made based on
the quality of your letter, and every letter that follows will build
upon your image with the reader.
This section includes general tips on letter writing, and offers
suggestions on how to address unique situations. Before engaging
in any letter writing, conduct the research necessary to present
yourself as and educated candidate. Position yourself as enthusiastic
and informed, with a specific motivation for writing to them.
Sample letters are included for your reference. However, we give
you one note of caution: Do not simply copy these samples, change
a few words here and there, and recycle them for your own use. These
samples are provided so that you can get a feel for length and style.
The cover letter is a marketing tool, and as such, it must be targeted
to the intended audience. Each cover letter you send out should
address the specific needs of the hiring organization by answering
the question “why would we be better off if we hired you?”
Recruiters often review hundreds of resumes to find a handful of
viable candidates; generic cover letters that don’t answer
this question eliminate people from consideration.
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Begin by clearly explaining who you are and your connection to a
person, organization, or field.
If you are writing as a result of a referral, introduce the referral’s
name as early on in the letter as possible, and present the referral’s
basis for connecting the two of you.
Let the reader know why you are writing and what you hope to gain
from this introduction.
Discuss aspects of your education and/or experience that you feel
support your career aspirations. Point to specifics in the career
to validate your experiences.
Inform the reader of your intentions for follow-up, and thank them
in advance for any assistance that may give.
Begin by clearly explaining who you are and your connection to that
person, organization or field.
If you are writing as the result of a referral, introduce the referral’s
name as early on in the letter as possible, and present the basis
for connecting the two of you.
Request a brief meeting with the individual, and outline what it
is you would like to accomplish in that meeting. Communicate to
the reader that you are looking for information and advice –
not a job.
Discuss aspects of your education and/or experience that you feel
support your career aspirations. Point to functional aspects of
the industry’s career path(s) that link up with your experience
and skill base.
Inform the reader of your intentions for follow-up, and thank them
in advance for any assistance they may give.
Follow-up in a timely manner.
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Yale SCHOOL of MANAGEMENT
Box 208200 New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8200
November 16, 1999
Ms. Elaine Corning
Recruiting Manager
Kraft
P. O. Box 8843
Chicago, IL 60601
Dear Ms. Corning:
I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with you and other managers from
Kraft when I represented the Yale School of Management (SOM) at
the SCMBA Conference. After speaking in further detail with John
Gersten, a 1999 Summer Intern from Yale SOM, I am enthusiastic about
the possibility of a brand management internship opportunity at
Kraft.
My professional achievements with an internet commerce company over
the last three years reflect my ability to transform ideas and concepts
into action, formulate solutions that lead to change, and analyze
growth opportunities. I have collaborated with internal and external
customers to identify opportunities for service improvement and
implemented strategies that exceeded target goals. Among the skills
I would bring to a position at Kraft are:
- Leadership – Managed a cross-functional team that
increased
customer retention by 65% during the 1997-98 fiscal year.
- Creativity – Designed a humorous advertising campaign,
targeting
first-time computer purchasers, that resulted in an 18% increase
in new subscriptions.
- Analytical Ability – Developed a metric for measuring
product fulfillment that reduced shipping cycle time by 6% and
saved company more than $200,000.
I understand that Kraft representatives will be at the Yale School
of Management in February for summer internship interviews. I would
appreciate the opportunity to be placed on your closed interview
list and to participate in any other first-year MBA student activities
you may have planned. I have enclosed a copy of my resume for your
review. If you should have any questions about my qualifications
or require additional information, please feel free to reach me
at the phone number or e-mail address on my resume. Thank you for
your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sharon J. Cunningham
Enclosure
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Yale SCHOOL of MANAGEMENT
Box 208200 New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8200
November 16, 1999
Mr. Pierce F. Smith
Merrill Lynch
Investment Banking, Human Resources
World Financial Center, North Tower
250 Vesey Street, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10281
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am a first year student at the Yale School of Management (SOM)
and I am writing to request an interview for a Summer Associate
position in investment banking. I attended Merrill Lynch's campus
presentation on September 17 at SOM and since that time, have conducted
additional research into the firm and its culture. I believe that
Merrill's client-focused and team-oriented environment is one for
which I would be well suited.
For the past three years I worked as a commercial litigator in a
law firm specializing in litigation and arbitration in the airline
industry. I thrived in that climate because of my ability to adapt
quickly to changing environments, to build relationships with a
sophisticated international and domestic clientele, and to assume
immediate and far-ranging responsibilities in an entrepreneurial
setting. The firm's success, and my success within a team environment,
were in large part due to our commitment, our focus upon building
long-term client relationships, and our execution of effective solutions
to clients' complex litigation issues.
At Yale SOM, I am leveraging my legal experience, communication
skills, and energy to pursue a career in investment banking. I am
taking an intensive course load in accounting and finance, and participating
in the structuring and management of a student-run venture capital
fund. Combining my experience in a demanding entrepreneurial environment
with rigorous coursework in finance and accounting will enable me
to make an impact as a Summer Associate.
I would appreciate being included on your upcoming Yale interview
schedule. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Henry Zhang
Enclosure
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Yale SCHOOL of MANAGEMENT
Box 208200 New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8200
November 2, 1999
Ms. Alice DeRosa
Recruiting Manager
Booz·Allen & Hamilton
101 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10178
Dear Ms. DeRosa,
I spent the last three years working with public and nonprofit organizations
before entering the Yale School of Management as an MBA student
this year. During that time I developed a broad set of skills and
a true appreciation for the power of effective strategic planning
and implementation. I would very much enjoy the opportunity to bring
these skills to bear in the corporate sector as a Summer Associate
in Booz·Allen's Strategic Leadership Practice.
My background is well suited for the culture and work demands at
Booz·Allen. While at the Community Development Corporation Association
(CDCA), I worked closely with a small team of senior staff to continuously
improve CDCA’s 100 member organizations. At the same time,
I analyzed changes in government policy and cultivated the national-level
relationships necessary to support our members’ movement in
new directions. Most significantly, I developed, raised funding
to support, and managed the Community Action Initiative, a $1.5
million consulting project to build our members’ ability to
create and sustain post-program outcomes.
I am particularly attracted to Booz·Allen’s mix of intellectual
rigor and results-oriented philosophy and would welcome the opportunity
to discuss my qualifications for the Summer Associate position when
Booz·Allen conducts interviews at Yale in January. Attached is my
resume and contact information. Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Alex Spivey
Enclosure
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