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clemson.edu/career
CENTER FOR CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
/ClemsonCCPD
49
SAMPLE COVER LETTER
922 Tiger Drive
Clemson, SC 29634
February 1, 2015
Mr. Tom Smith
Director of Human Resources
First National Bank of Clemson
2001 Tiger Boulevard
Clemson, SC 29633
Dear Mr. Smith:
Tell Mr. Smith why you are writing. If you are applying for a position, tell him how you learned
about the position and the company (through a personal contact, an advertisement, the
company’s website, the Career Center, etc.).
In the second paragraph, describe your interest and knowledge of the company or organization,
and show how you are qualified for the position. Elaborate on information in your résumé (major,
university,relevant experience, etc.) but do not repeat it. Be concise and give specific examples
of your skills. For example, “As you can see from my résumé, I have three years of experience in
management.”
In the final paragraph, ask for an interview. Ask Mr. Smith to call you at his earliest convenience,
or say that you will call in one week to schedule a time to meet with him. Thank him for his time
and consideration.
Sincerely,
(your signature here)
Fred Functional
Enclosure
COVER LETTERS AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE
PURPOSE OF A COVER LETTER
A cover letter is your introduction to an employer. In this letter, you should briefly describe your interest in a position and summarize
your qualifications.
A few guidelines:
•
Anytime you mail your résumé, it should be accompanied by a cover letter.
•
Always address your cover letter to a specific person, if at all possible (call the company or organization and ask to whom it
should be addressed). If you are unable to determine a specific person, we suggest using Dear Hiring Manager.
•
A separate letter should be written for each position. Just as you tailor your résumé for each position, cover letters should be
tailored for each position, addressing the specific skills requested in the job description.