Your Street Address

City, State Zip

Date

Employer’s Name and Title

Name of the Company or Organization

Street Address

City, State Zip

Dear M. Name:

Follow a three-paragraph format. In this first paragraph, start by declaring your intentions: “I am applying for the Entomologist Preservation Specialist (exact job title here) position I saw advertised in the National Enquirer.” Next, talk about the company, and be impressed. Find some very specific detail about the organization through your research, mention it, and compliment it. You are stroking the company here, and also showing off the fact that you did research. Avoid a generic comment like “your health plan” or “your company’s impressive record.” Instead: “I found Splorch Corporation’s recent decision to implement an employee counseling service to be both innovative and refreshing.”

In paragraph two, talk about yourself. Sell yourself. Mention the highlights from your resume—the qualifications you feel would best suit the job for which you are applying. If possible, draw the complete picture. Tell this potential employer exactly how your abilities would benefit his or her company: “My training in polyurethane plastic emulsifiers would be quite beneficial to your new bug-catching division.” Only cite the qualifications—whether training, experience, or abilities—that relate to the position at hand. If you are applying for a job in a judge’s office, your three years on the cheerleading squad are irrelevant, no matter how much “teamwork and motivation” it taught you.

End enthusiastically. State that you are excited at the prospect of working for Splorch Corporation and look forward to discussing this opportunity at greater length. Ask for an interview outright: “Please call me to set up an interview at your earliest convenience.” And don’t restrict your availability, whether for the interview or even the phone call: “Please call me Tuesday mornings between 8:37 and 8:42.” Bad form here. Make yourself as available as possible. Doing so shows your willingness to join their team. Give a phone number and either a second phone number (work, perhaps) or an email address. Too many contact options flood the paragraph. Then say thanks for your time and consideration.

An appropriate close,

Your name typed (but signed in ink directly above, preferably in blue to add a dash of color; electronically, use a script font)

Resume enclosed (this line is optional; they’ll likely figure it out)

P.S. Please note that the return address at the top right is aligned along the left-side margin; never align along right-side margins.