Practical Writing
How to Write a Cover LetterWhat is a cover letter?
A cover letter typically has three to four
paragraphs and is addressed to your potential employer.
It describes why you
are interested in the position, the company, (or the academic program), and why
you'd be a good fit for it.
It is typically included in your application
together with your résumé. You would need to highlight your accomplishments,
experiences, and skills that are pertinent to the position you're seeking.
In
contrast to a resume, a cover letter lets you talk about your career experiences
more in detail and discuss why you are the right person for the job.
A good
cover letter allows you to give employers a good impression and makes you stand
out among the applicants.
What to consider before you write
Before you start your cover letter, collect
all the information you may need.
Here are some things that you need to consider
before writing a cover letter:
ONE. In terms of talents, skills or
accomplishments, what are some of the specific things that you would like to
let your employers know?
TWO. How were you made aware of the
employment possibility?
Note the name and position of the person if you
discovered it through a personal connection.
Or, if you discovered it via an
advertisement or job board, write down where, when, and any specific instructions
included in the job description.
THREE. Why were you drawn to the company that
you are writing to?
FOUR. Think about who you are writing to.
If
it's a specific person, address them by name and title. If not, consider
addressing one of the followings: “Dear Name of the Title" or "Dear Name
of the Department.”
How
to format a cover letter?
ㆍPage : A maximum of one page
ㆍFont : Arial,
Calibri, or Times New Roman
ㆍSize : 10 to 12 points
ㆍMargin and Spacing : One-inch
margins and single spacing
A cover letter should have the
following sections like the way a business letter is formatted:
ㆍHeader
with date and contact information
Add personal and information related to
the position at the top of your cover letter, just like you would with any conventional
business letter header.
Doing so makes it simpler for a hiring manager or
recruiter to get in touch with you. Your name and address can also be centered
at the top of the page just like they are on your resume.
Your name and address
can also be centered at the top of the page, just like they are on your resume.
John Kim (Full Name)
222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Address) | +82 010-XXXX-XXXX (Phone #) |
| john.kim@university.edu (Emaill Address)
Date:
Title of the reviwer or full name:
Name of the company:
Company Address:
ㆍSalutation
Find the person who is in charge of going
over applications for the job.
Use one of the following common business greetings:
“Dear [Full Name] ” or "Dear [Title of Position]."
It is better for
you not to use “To whom it may concern” because doing so is considered old-fashioned,
particularly when creating cover letters for employment.
After the greeting,
use either comma or colon, and a colon is the most formal punctuation to use
after a salutation.
Dear Professor J. J Kim:
Or
Dear Hiring Manager,
ㆍOpening
paragraph
In the first paragraph, state the position
you're looking for and the company that posted the job.
Explain why you are
interested in the job and the company. Show that you are qualified enough for
the job.
Since the introductory paragraph may give the reviewer the first
impression of you, it is important to catch their attention quickly and
succinctly.
I am writing to express my interest in applying for the research assistant position in the Department of Engineering at Hanyang University. I was intrigued when I read your highly cited research paper in Nature Energy Journal on the high energy density, high-performance gradient Ni-rich layered cathode materials for lithium-ion battery and would like to contribute to ongoing research in this field. Taking this opportunity, I wish to introduce myself and give a little background to my decision to apply for the position.
ㆍMiddle
paragraph(s)
In the second paragraph, briefly summarize
how your experience relates to the position.
Include your achievements, skills,
and area of expertise that make you suitable for the position.
Give specific
details about one or two of your successes, including any measurable effects
that you had.
In the job description, you will find the keywords, some of which
you may find relevant to you. Include them in this part of the cover letter.
Bachelor's degree in Chemistry (GPA 3.80/4.0). During my final year as an undergraduate, I did research internship in the Battery LLC, the first laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage Systems. I did my diploma project under supervision of Prof. Kim. There, I gained significant research experience by working with an international group while focusing on innovative materials for new applications. At the end of the internship, I had a clear view of the innovative energy conversion and storage devices such as advanced rechargeable Li-ion batteries and fuel cells. This particular internship helped me reinforce my teamwork skills and also gain a practical experience in chemical engineering. After the completion of internship, I was hired as Junior Researcher at Far, where I was highly involved in a national project named “High energy density…electronics” which is supported by the Research Grant fr|om Ministry of Education. Through my various research experiences, I have mastered various characterization techniques in material science and electrochemistry, including the mastering in assembling and investigating various types of battery, such as ….
I found that the scope of the project supervised by you goes fr|om basic research in related Li-ion batteries to applied electrochemical energy conversion and energy storage, which are very relevant to my current research interest. Since I had a great interest fr|om my student life in the research field of …application to this position will be an essential step in achieving my revenue goals as a young and motivated researcher, and further help me to build a successful academic career.
ㆍA
closing paragraph
In the final paragraph, emphasize some of
the achievements and skills that are relevant to the position. Briefly mention
a specific story that may support your strong candidacy for the job.
I feel confident that I will be able to cope with the challenges that I might face when I do research works under your guidance. I have a great sense of responsibility. I am hard-working, communicative, good at teamwork, persistent in achieving goals, striving to improve knowledge. I believe that my academic success in high school and in college as well as and my research experience in the …. field demonstrate my full potential to join to your research team at Hanyang University effectively.
ㆍEnd
with a professional signoff
In the final paragraph of your cover
letter, you should summarize the reason that you are applying for the job and
why you best fit for the job.
Make sure to conclude your letter as briefly as
possible. Let your reviewer know that you would like to hear about any
potential future steps.
At the bottom, end the paragragh with your signature.
I would like to thank you for your time to consider my application. I look forward to hearing fr|om you and would welcome the chance to discuss my application with you at the future interview. In doing so, you are supporting the development of my skills and the global connections of our university with colleagues around the world.