Cover Letter Resources

Cover letters often go through ATS, but their processing can be less reliable than resumes. Despite this, they are crucial for providing context and showcasing communication skills. Some companies focus more on resumes and use cover letters for additional insights into a candidate’s fit and personality. Others use them to gauge motivation and communication skills. Many hiring managers still value cover letters highly and review them manually after the initial ATS screening. 

A cover letter is an opportunity to explain your career transition and connect your previous experience to your new career goals. Use your cover letter to highlight the value your background brings and show employers how your skills transfer to the role. Here are tips for career changers to use when crafting a cover letter:

• Explain your career change briefly and confidently. Focus on your goals and the strengths you bring rather than what you lack.
• Highlight transferable skills and accomplishments that relate to the position you are seeking.
• Connect your previous experience to the employer’s needs by showing how your background can provide value.
• Include relevant coursework, certifications, projects, or volunteer experience that demonstrate your preparation for the new field.
• Tailor each cover letter to the specific role and organization.
• Avoid focusing on gaps in your experience or apologizing for your career change.

• Use easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.  
• We recommend sans serif fonts. You can easily find a list on the web.  

• Cover letters should be no more than 1 page and 3-4 paragraphs long. The main body of the cover letter (excluding contact information, company details, date, signature, etc.) should range from 250 to 400 words. 
• If necessary, you may use bullet points for a portion of the cover letter to organize and highlight key information, but the majority of the letter should be in paragraph form. Use 

• Achievement-oriented keywords from the job description and your resume should be scattered throughout your cover letter. 

• Use metrics: quantifiable data will make your cover letter stand out.  

• Your cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your resume. Instead of reiterating your work history, focus on expanding upon key experiences or achievements that showcase your qualifications for the role.  

• Highlight 3-4 skills that align most closely with the job requirements. Support each skill with a brief anecdote or achievement that illustrates how you've applied that skill in a previous role. 

• Demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge about the company by referencing specific details you've learned through research. Explain why you are interested in working there and how your values or career goals align with the company's mission or culture. 

Check the cover letter for spelling and grammatical mistakes. You can use a web tool like Grammarly to check spelling mistakes.