Students

Cover Letters

The purpose of the cover letter is to convince employers to look more closely at your resume.  For this reason, your cover letter must be a compelling document that is responsive to the requirements outlined in the position description. When composing your cover letter, emphasize why and how your past experience is relevant to the position for which you are applying (what can you do for this employer). When sending a cover letter and resume via e-mail, combine both into one attachment. The recipient will appreciate it.

View sample cover letters (PDF).

Thank You Letters

The thank you letter is intended to express your continued interest in and enthusiasm for the position for which you just interviewed, and to add additional relevant information about your education, experience, or circumstances which you were unable to touch upon during the interview. If you interviewed with more than one interviewer, send your thank you to the most senior interviewer or to the individual who coordinated your interview day, mentioning by name and copying the other interviewers.   

Although most employers agree that a handwritten note is appreciated, they deem an e-mail thank you as more efficient; recruiters travel frequently, and regular mail can sit unopened in their offices for long periods of time. Your thank you e-mail should not be in the body of the message, but rather sent as an attachment.  

See sample thank you letters (PDF).