Cover Letter Grammar

Drake English 313

Cover letters must provide verifiable proof of the skills listed in the job description, connected to the reader's needs through You Attitude. To ensure that your writing does this, follow this sentence formula.

Sentences should combine, usually in this order:

1) Specific experience

2) Specific skill

3) If necessary, verifiable proof of the skill

4) You attitude.

Example:

1) Specific experience: Three months experience working with the UI football team as an Athletic Trainer intern

2) Specific skill: taught me to identify injuries, write them up in reports, and refer athletes to appropriate therapies.

3) Verifiable proof of the skill: Examples of my reports are available online.

4) You attitude. This experience will help me prepare the necessary documentation for your high school's football, basketball and track teams.

Example:

1) Specific experience: While working as my fraternity's financial officer for two years...

2) Specific skill: ...I maintained a budget of over $100,000, forecast financial needs, collected dues and used Excel to submit reports to the Executive Committee.

3) Verifiable proof of the skill: Examples of my work are available in my portfolio. or Being elected to the post for both my junior and senior years show my ability to balance fiscal discipline with customer satisfaction. or I'm especially proud of the fact that I helped my house balance its budget for the first time in three years.

4) You attitude. I believe this experience with a relatively large budget sets proves I not only have the education but the hands on experience necessary to keep Enron the first in its field.

Revise the letter carefully and clarify through simplicity.