Cover Letter Format

Use this for a cover letter accompanying your resume.

This is simplified block form, the one most used in businesses today.

Notice that everything is on the left—there are no indents at all.

The only place your name goes is at the bottom, never at the top.

Be sure to center everything vertically on the page and use

black ink and Times New Roman 12 point type.

Please read the note on the bottom of this page; It is important!

My Street Address

My City, State Zip

Date (Month is Spelled Out in Words!)

Their First and Last Name

Their Company Name

Their Street Address

Their City, State Zip

Dear Mr. Lastname: (Omit this line unless you know their last name)

Don’t start with the phrase, “I am writing to you” as they will have figured that out. Tell them ONLY four things: what job you are applying for (and where you found out about it,) one or two of your best qualifications (no more,) specific times and phone numbers they can use to contact you, and that you enclose a resume and look forward to hearing from them.

If the ad specifically requests other information such as salary requirements, you should include that as well. The whole letter should be no more than three or four sentences; keep it simple and center the whole thing on the page by adding blank lines at the top after you finish; don’t put in extra blank lines between parts.

Sincerely,

Handwritten Signature, not typed with fancy font

My Name

Enclosure

A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE

(No, this is not part of the letter format. It’s a note. I just told you that.)

If you cannot find out the last name of the person you are writing to, please DO NOT use

“Sirs” or “Dear Sir” or “Mesdames” or “To Whom It May Concern” or any of those awful nineteenth-century conventions.

It is the twenty-first century now, you know.

Just leave the salutation line out entirely if it isn’t contributing anything useful to the letter.

Mrs. P. said you could, and if necessary, she will write you a note.

So there.

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