UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | career_ser[email protected]u | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
JOB SEARCH LETTERS
1. COVER LETTER
Accompanies your resume when you are applying for a specific position. The key purpose is to engage the reader, so that he/she
will read your resume; therefore, it should be customized to the position you are applying for. The most effective cover letters
are addressed to a specific person; if the listing does not include contact information, do some research to find out who you
should send it to. The cover letter can be an attachment to an e-mail, in the body of e-mail, or uploaded to an Applicant Tracking
System.
............................................................................................................................
2. LETTER OF INQUIRY
Sent to a company of interest when the type of position you are interested in is not advertised. Your focus should be on
the key skills and qualifications you have that directly relate to the company’s current needs, emerging challenges,
specific products/services, and/or customers. It is similar to a cover letter and you should attach your resume.
............................................................................................................................
3. REQUEST FOR AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Used for the purpose of expanding your network and learning more about your field of interest, this letter briefly
describes your background and goals; the main point, however, is to outline the type of information or advice you are
seeking. In this type of letter, it is inappropriate to request a meeting about job openings or opportunities; therefore, you
should not attach your resume.
............................................................................................................................
4. THANK YOU / FOLLOW-UP LETTER
This letter, which comes after an interview, is welcomed and expected by employers. Much more than a simple
“thanks,” it is used to place yourself at the forefront of your interviewer’s mind by: thanking the person for his/her time,
reminding him/her of your key qualifications, and re-stating your sincere interest in both the position and the company.
Make sure you get the interviewer’s business card to ensure proper spelling of the interviewer’s name and title. E-mail is
an appropriate method; as a subject line use “Interview Follow-up.”
............................................................................................................................
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
DO’S AND DON’TS
DO
Use the samples on the following pages as guidelines
Customize your letters to the company / position of interest
Make your best effort to address your letters to specific people (“Dear Mr./Ms. _______:”)
If necessary, address your letter “Dear Recruiter” or “Dear Hiring Manager” rather than “To Whom It May
Concern”
Use proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and letter format
Open with a compelling statement designed to grab the reader’s attention
Have a Career Counselor review your letter when writing one for the first time
If sending by e-mail, use your e-mail message to further promote your qualifications
Follow up; call the person within a week of sending your letter*
DON’T
Don’t indent paragraphs
Don’t forget to attach your resume if you’ve referenced it in your e-mail
Don’t address a letter to “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern”
Don’t assume that all you need to do is send a resume; persistence and follow-up are key
Don’t send the exact same “thank you” letter to every person you interviewed with
Don’t send a hard copy of your letter / resume when the printing quality is poor or difficult to read
Don’t e-mail your letter / resume from your work e-mail account
Don’t forget to get your interviewer’s business card before leaving an interview
Don’t neglect to update anyone who referred you to a company on your progress
* When calling an employer to follow up on a resume sent, be conscious of his/her time and make sure to state
your purpose for calling early in the conversation; try something like, “Hello Ms. Jones, my name is Sam Student
and I’m calling to follow up on a resume that I emailed to you last Friday for the Systems Administrator position
that was recently posted on the UMass Lowell Handshake website. The role looked like an excellent fit for my
background and I was hoping to speak with you about it further. Do you have a couple of minutes now, or would
it be possible to schedule some time in the near future?”
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
PREPARING TO WRITE A COVER LETTER
Qualifications/Responsibilities
from job description
My Experience/Qualifications
may or may not be on resume
Before you start writing your cover letter, look at the job description and identify all of the qualifications
and responsibilities. Write those in the left-hand column below. For each item in the left-hand column,
think of something from your past experiences (academic, work, sometimes personal) that proves you have
the experience and skills necessary to perform the job described in the job posting. You will use some of
these examples in your cover letter.
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
COVER LETTER OUTLINE
Your name (optional)
Your return address
Phone
Email
Date
Name of the contact person
Title
Name of organization/company
Address
City, ST Zip
Dear Mr. or Ms. (last name):
First paragraph: reason for writing the letter
How did you learn about this job opening?
If you have been referred by a contact, include the person’s name.
What is the title of the position and the reference number (if listed)?
Why do you want to work for this organization?
Briefly convey your knowledge of their products, services, and/or projects.
Second paragraph: an overview of your skills
What 3-4 key skills do you have that relate to this position?
Match your experience to the job description.
Make it easy for the employer to see how you are qualified for the job.
Draw on skills from work experience, volunteer experience, internships or co-ops, and classes.
Third paragraph: specific accomplishments / examples of how you’ve used your skills*
What projects did you work on – either at a job or as part of a class?
Use the PAR formula – Problem-Action-Result.
*If your experience is limited, you might not need this third paragraph.
Fourth paragraph: closing
What action will you take?
Where can they reach you?
If you list a cell phone number, be prepared to answer a call from an employer at any time.
Make sure that your outgoing voicemail greeting is professional.
State that you look forward to an interview.
Thank the person for their consideration of your application.
Sincerely,
Student Name
This traditional business letter heading is
acceptable OR you can replace it with the
same heading as your resume (which
should contain your name and contact
information)
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample cover letter
Recent MIS graduate with on-campus, internship, and project experience
Student Address
City, ST Zip
Phone
Email
June 10, 2016
Employer Name
Employer Title
Company Name
Company Address
City, ST Zip
Dear Ms. [Last Name]:
Attached is my resume for the position of Systems Analyst, advertised on Handshake at the University of
Massachusetts Lowell. I was interested to read about your new partnership with S. A. Industries and believe that
my proficiency in Spanish would be an added asset to your work in Latin American markets.
The Systems Analyst position requires experience in financial applications software, end-user consulting, and
database management. I recently graduated in the top 10% of my class with a B.S. in Management Information
Systems. This degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell afforded me training on a variety of systems
and software applications.
My specific relevant work experience includes:
Programmer and help desk assistant at the UMass Lowell Centers for Learning, where I gained
valuable exposure to complex computer operations, and provided telephone assistance to hundreds of
staff and faculty throughout the university.
Systems analyst at Eastern Bank, working in a department of six people to support financial operations
(6-month internship).
Technical support analyst, assisting a local nonprofit to identify emerging technology needs and
evaluate current equipment/systems (course project).
I look forward to an opportunity to meet with you to discuss your needs, my qualifications and how I can
contribute to the success of [Company Name]. You can reach me at (978) 934-xxxx or via e-mail at
[email protected]. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample cover letter
Criminal Justice major looking for a position in human services
Student Address
City, ST Zip
Phone
Email
August 12, 2016
Employer Name
Employer Title
Company Name
Company Address
City, ST Zip
Dear Mr. [Last Name]:
Attached is my resume for the Direct Care Counselor position posted on idealist.org. Through my work for
YMCA programs, I have become familiar with the array of services that you provide to children and youth
throughout Massachusetts. Please consider me an enthusiastic candidate!
For the past two years I have worked with children and youth of different age groups in a variety of YMCA
programs. I easily establish relationships with children and their parents. I have strong communication skills, am
fluent in Spanish, and am approachable and trustworthy. Most of my work has involved organizing activities and
motivating youth to participate to build relationships, as well as self-esteem and confidence.
I have an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice and am completing my B.S. in Criminology and Justice Studies
at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. I am dedicated to this field and believe that my interests and skills are
a match for this position and the overall mission of the organization.
I would welcome an opportunity to discuss your needs and my qualifications. You can reach me at (978) 934-
xxxx or via e-mail at student@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample cover letter
Mechanical Engineering student inquiring about internship/co-op opportunities (no posting)
Student Address
City, ST Zip
Phone
Email
July 1, 2016
Employer Name
Employer Title
Company Name
Company Address
City, ST Zip
Dear Ms. [Last Name]:
I am writing to inquire about the possibility of a Mechanical Engineering internship or co-op at
[Company]. As I enter my third year of mechanical engineering coursework at the University of
Massachusetts Lowell, I find the opportunities to apply my skills and gain engineering experience at
[Company] very exciting. A musician myself, I grew up with [Company]’s unique sound products and
have always found them fascinating. I have enjoyed witnessing the introduction of important
technologies such as the Wave® music system, wireless surround sound, and noise cancelling
headphones. It is [Company]’s commitment to diverse research and innovation that initially inspired
me to study engineering.
Having worked in residential home development for several years, I have learned that few things come
easily and thus have always maintained a strong work ethic and desire to succeed. I am a committed
student eager to learn and grow as a professional. To date I have completed several relevant courses
that include the study of materials behavior, 3D CAD modeling, and electronics. Additionally, I believe
that my personal interest in your company and outstanding academic record make me an ideal
applicant for an internship or co-op at [Company].
Please see my attached resume which contains additional details regarding my qualifications. I’d
appreciate an opportunity to speak with you further about any position for which you believe I may be
a suitable fit. I can be reached at (978) 934-xxxx or First_Last@student.uml.edu.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample cover letter
Undeclared first-year student seeking a Science-related position
Student Address
City, ST Zip
Phone
Email
September 3, 2016
Employer Name
Employer Title
Company Name
Company Address
City, ST Zip
Dear Mr. [Last Name]:
Please accept my resume for the [Title] position, recently posted on [Site]. I am excited about the
opportunity, and believe that it would be an excellent fit to my educational background and
professional interests.
I am currently an undeclared Science Major, planning to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in 2018. One
of the career possibilities that I am actively exploring is the [insert] field, in which I would hope to
leverage the following skills, experiences and interests:
Relevant skill, experience or interest
Relevant skill, experience or interest
Relevant skill, experience or interest
I would welcome an opportunity to discuss your needs for this position and my qualifications. Please
feel free to contact me at (978) 934-xxxx or via e-mail at F[email protected]. Thank you for
your consideration.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample cover letter
Computer Science major with relevant hands-on skills
Student Address
City, ST Zip
Phone
Email
February 15, 2016
Employer Name
Employer Title
Company Name
Company Address
City, ST Zip
Dear Ms. [Last Name]:
I am interested in applying for the Web Developer position which was recently posted on the
University of Massachusetts Lowell Handshake site. The position seems to fit very well with my
education, experience, and professional interests.
Your position requires skills in various types of programming and software used in web development.
My Computer Science degree program at UMass Lowell emphasizes C, C++, .NET, PHP, Visual Basic,
Assembler, Java, and MSSQL. In addition, I have experience using several software programs in web
development including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Dreamweaver. I have worked with both PC
and Mac platforms, and I have gained knowledge of e-commerce applications and content
management systems through my academic coursework and professional interests.
My background and career goals seem to match your job requirements well. I am confident that I can
perform the job effectively; furthermore, I am genuinely interested in the position and in working for
[Company Name]. Your firm has an excellent reputation for training Developers on the latest software
languages and technologies, and bringing reliable products to market.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your needs and my qualifications. I can
be reached at (978) 934-xxxx or via e-mail at [email protected].edu. Thank you in advance for
your time and consideration; I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample cover letter
Plastics Engineering major seeking co-op or internship
Student Address
City, ST Zip
Phone
Email
April 21, 2016
Employer Name
Employer Title
Company Name
Company Address
City, ST Zip
Dear Mr. [Last Name]:
I am writing to apply for your Plastics Engineering Internship, which was recently posted on the
Career & Co-op Center’s website at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
This position requires product design and process development experience, both of which I have been
exposed to in my Bachelor’s program in Plastics Engineering at UMass Lowell. In addition, I have
gained an understanding of the following engineering technologies and techniques:
Insert skill, technology or technique
Insert skill, technology or technique
Insert skill, technology or technique
I noticed that you are also seeking someone who is detail oriented and has excellent communication
skills. For the past four years, I have worked as a Customer Service Associate for Shaws Supermarket;
in this role, I have been recognized for providing accurate and timely information to customers and
supervisors, and have managed my tasks with strong detail and follow-through skills. Throughout my
academic career at the UMass Lowell, I have needed to effectively utilize time management,
prioritization, reporting, documentation and organization skills to successfully complete all
assignments and projects. I believe that these skills will help me to succeed in this position, and allow
me to contribute to the continued success of [Company Name].
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person, to discuss my qualifications for this role
in greater detail. I have attached my resume for your review. Please feel free to contact me at (978)
934-xxxx or via e-mail at First_Last@student.uml.edu. Thank you in advance for your consideration; I
look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample cover letter
Art major / Psychology minor seeking a position in an art studio
Student Address
City, ST Zip
Phone
Email
October 15, 2016
Employer Name
Employer Title
Company Name
Company Address
City, ST Zip
Dear Ms. [Last Name]:
The description that you recently posted on Monster.com for a Studio Assistant appears to be a perfect
match to my interests and qualifications.
With my academic background in art and psychology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, I
am confident that I would make a very successful and creative Studio Assistant. Having worked as an
Intern for the non-profit organization [Company Name], I have been exposed to a number of business
and operational aspects of the art world. My experience as a Library Assistant at UMass Lowell
demonstrates my capability of working with others and providing useful information in a timely and
professional manner. In addition, my education in psychology has provided me with the ability to
listen attentively to customer requests and make appropriate recommendations.
I would appreciate the opportunity to make a substantial contribution to your firm, and would
welcome a conversation with you to further discuss my candidacy. I will contact you next week to see
if we might arrange a time to speak. In the meantime, please feel free to visit my online portfolio at
www.[portfolioname].com. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample e-mail of inquiry
TO: hiringmanager@company.com
FROM: student@student.uml.edu
SUBJECT: Exploring career opportunities in civil engineering
Dear Mr. / Ms. [Last Name]:
In last week’s issue of The Boston Business Journal, I read with great interest about your organization
receiving the contract for expansion and renovation of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Congratulations!
I completed my B.S. in Civil Engineering in December and am interested in civil engineering or
architectural drafting design opportunities with [Company Name]. My semester-long co-op experience
at the Guggenheim Museum in Las Vegas, as well as additional skills gained through a variety of
summer internships, would allow me to make an immediate contribution to the Gardner Museum
project, or others being handled by your firm. Throughout my employment, I established a reputation
as a detail-oriented and goal-directed team player.
Attached is my resume outlining my academic and work experience in more detail. I would welcome an
opportunity to meet with you to discuss any openings that might be a match to my qualifications. I can
be reached at (978) 934-xxxx or via e-mail at student@student.uml.edu.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample Linkedin message requesting an informational interview
Dear Mr. / Ms. [Last Name]:
I saw through the UMass Lowell Alumni-Student Career Connections group on Linkedin that you are a
Research & Development Engineer at [company name]. I am beginning my final year of study in the
B.S. program in Plastics Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and want to refine my
career focus. I am reaching out to professionals in the field for information and advice regarding
current and emerging challenges in the industry. Given your expertise, your perspective and thoughts
would be greatly appreciated.
Might we be able to schedule 20-30 minutes of time for meeting? I could easily come to you at a time
that is convenient for you. I look forward to talking with you.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample thank you letter
Student Address
City, ST Zip
Phone
Email
August 22, 2016
Employer Name
Company Name
Company Address
City, ST Zip
Dear Mr. / Ms. [Last Name]:
Thank you very much for interviewing me yesterday for the Associate Engineer position. I enjoyed meeting you
and learning more about your research and design work.
My enthusiasm for the position and my interest in working for [Company] were strengthened as a result of this
interview. Your department’s newest project using emerging technologies would allow me to contribute
immediately with knowledge gained in my advanced-level coursework. Overall, I believe that skills gained
through my employment and cooperative education experiences are closely aligned with your needs.
I would greatly welcome the opportunity to work with you and your staff. Please feel free to call me at (978)
463-xxxx if I can provide you with additional information to further support my candidacy.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample thank you e-mail
TO: hiringmanager@company.com
FROM: student@student.uml.edu
SUBJECT: Thank you for your time
Dear Mr. / Ms. [Last Name]:
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Marketing Assistant position. I very much enjoyed meeting with
you and hearing about Marco’s and Gloria’s perspectives as recent hires from UMass Lowell. The new projects
that you mentioned are of particular interest to me. I believe the skills gained at my summer internship would
allow me to make an immediate contribution to the successful launch of these projects.
Since you are going to reach a decision quickly, I would like to highlight the key personal skills that I feel qualify
me for the position beyond my marketing experience:
Ability to juggle many projects simultaneously
A flexible and creative work attitude
Articulate, personable and easily approachable
Goal directed and dependable
I am, of course, looking forward to hearing from you in a positive way and am ready for any “start date” you
select. Again, thank you for meeting with me and considering my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Student Name
UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center
University Crossing 450 | O’Leary 105 | 978-934-2355 | [email protected] | career.uml.edu
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: UMLCareerCoop
sample thank you letter
Student Address
City, ST Zip
Phone
Email
July 8, 2016
Employer Name
Company Name
City, ST Zip
Dear Mr. / Ms. [Last Name]:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the interview Wednesday morning, and to confirm my
strong interest in an entry-level manufacturing engineer/technician position at [Company].
As we discussed, I believe that my academic background – projects and courses – has provided me with a solid
foundation in plastics engineering. Additionally, my two years of experience using AutoCAD, as well as sensor
testing and maintenance of production text fixtures/equipment, will allow me to hit the ground running.
You might also be interested to know that I recently joined the North Central MA Plastics Council, as a
volunteer mentor to junior high school students. I am dedicated to working in this industry.
Again, thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Student Name
