The purpose of the cover letter is to introduce yourself to the employer in a way that makes a positive first impression. It is connected to your resume, but it should not duplicate exactly what is already on your resume. A good cover letter can inspire the employer to look more carefully at your resume. As with resumes, cover letters need to be well-written, error-free and tailored to each position to which you are applying. It is not advisable to write a “general” cover letter to be used for every application. Before you begin writing a cover letter, you should review the job/internship posting and identify how your skills and experiences line up with those listed in the position. A cover letter should make it clear to the employer why you are interested in the position and what value you can bring to the organization. Take a look at the cover letter samples and review the writing your cover letter handout for an outline of what to include in a cover letter.
Looking for more information? Click on the link below to preview the materials we have in the Career Center resource library. Drop by the Career Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to browse through them in person.
"How to Avoid Common Cover Letter Mistakes" (and other cover letter resources on Career Insider) Note: The first time you log in, you will need to follow the "New to Career Insider?" instructions. You must use your TU email address to create an account.
As with your resume, bring a draft of your cover letter to the Career Center for review before you send it to prospective employers.
The Career Center
7800 York Road Building, Suite 206 (map)
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Call to schedule an appointment.
Express Hours: Monday – Thursday, 1 - 3 p.m. (No appointment needed for 15-minute consultation)
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
