A cover letter’s purpose is to introduce you to the recruiter or hiring manager for an open position. It is an opportunity to “connect the dots” of the requirements of a position (or the culture and mission of an organization) to your experience, skills, and accomplishments. Also, since resumes are typically written without using complete sentences or paragraphs, a cover letter is a chance to show your written communication skills. Finally, a cover letter can express a bit of your personal story or demonstrate why you feel you are uniquely qualified to fill a position or accomplish the mission of an organization. Conducting research on a potential employer is essential to writing an effective cover letter.

For more information on writing an effective cover letter, see the cover letter section of the Career Center.