Cover letters: types and samples
	The guidelines here apply to both hard copy correspondence and email. (To decide which to use, see email in your job search.) The main difference between email and hard copy correspondence is format: your signature block (address, etc.) goes below your name in email, while it goes at the top of the page on hard copy. Of course you won't have a handwritten signature on email, but don't forget this on hard copy.
All cover letters should:
	Explain why you are sending a resume.   Don't send a resume without a cover letter.  Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities?
	Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization — a flyer posted in your department, a web site, a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write.
	Convince the reader to look at your resume; the cover letter will be seen first. Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer.
	Call attention to elements of your background — education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples.
	Reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills.
	Provide or refer to any information specifically requested in a job advertisement that might not be covered in your resume, such as availability date, or reference to an attached writing sample.
	Indicate what you will do to follow-up.
	In a letter of application — applying for an advertised opening — applicants often say something like "I look forward to hearing from you." However, it is better to take the initiative to follow-up, saying something like, "I will contact you in the next two weeks to see if you require any additional information regarding my qualifications."
	In a letter of inquiry — asking about the possibility of an opening — don't assume the employer will contact you. You should say something like, "I will contact you in two weeks to learn more about upcoming employment opportunities with (name of organization)."  Then mark your calendar to make the call.
	Sample Cover Letter Format Guidelines (below).
Cover letters generally fall into one of two categories:
1.	Letter of application: applying for a specific, advertised opening. See:
	Sample 3.1:  letter of application following personal meeting, hard copy version
	Sample 3.2: letter of application for advertised position, email version
	Sample 3.3: letter of application for advertised position, email version
	Sample 3.4: letter of application for advertised position, hard copy version
2.	Letter of inquiry: expressing interest in an organization, but you are not certain if there are current openings. See:
	Sample 3.5:  letter of inquiry about employment possibilities, email version
	Sample 3.6:  letter of inquiry about internship opportunities, hard copy version
Information-seeking letters and follow-up
	To draft an effective cover letter, you need to indicate that you know something about the employing organization.  Sometimes, even with research efforts, you don’t have enough information to do this. In such a case it is appropriate to write requesting information.
	See Sample 4.1:  Information seeking letter, hard copy version.
	After you receive the desired information you can then draft a follow-up letter that:
	Thanks the sender for the information; Markets why you would be a good job candidate for that organization based on the information; and Explains why you are sending your resume.
	See Sample 5.2:  Follow up letter to information seeking meeting.