CRAFTINGAPROFESSIONALRESUME
COVERLETTERSANDREFERENCES
Pre
aredb
:De
artmentofEconomics&EconomicsLeadershi
Council
WHENTOSENDAFORMALCOVERLETTERVS.ANINTRODUCTORYEMAIL
Youshouldsubmitaformalcoverletterwhenapplyingforapositionthathasbeenadvertised.Followtheinstructionslistedin
thejob postingor on theemployer’s website regardingthe preferredmethodofsubmittingyourapplicationmaterials.Ifthe
instructionsrequestapplicationssentviaemail,attachyourcoverletter,resume,andanyotherrequestedapplicationmaterials
toabriefemailinwhichyouintroduceyourself,expressyourinterestintheposition,andquicklyhighlightyourmostrelevant
skillsandexperiences.Whencraftingtheemail,usethesamecareandcandorputforthinyourformaldocuments.Attachthe
documentstotheemailfirst;youdonotwanttoriskhavingtosendasecondemailbecauseyoufailedtoattachtheappropriate
documentation(orworseyet,neverrealizeyoufailedtoincludetheattachmentsandforgothejobopportunity).Drafttheemail
inWordandcheckitcarefullyforspellingandgrammaticalerrors.Theemailshouldconsistofnomorethan2‐3sentences.If
anemployeeatthefirmreferredyoutotheposition,statethatintheemail.
Ifyouarefollowingupwithanetworkingleadregardingaprospectiveopening,youshouldsendabriefemailintroducing
yourself,explainingyourrelationshiptoamutualcontact(whenever applicable), expressing your interest in learning more
abouttheemployer’sbusiness,andsuggestingabriefmeeting(i.e.,informationalinterview).Youshouldnotincludeacopyof
yourcoverletterinthisinstance.Instead,attachaPDFcopyofyourresumefortheindividuals“reference.”Ensurethetoneof
youremailisnotrudeorpresumptive.
THANKYOUNOTES
Always send a prompt, sincere thank you note to someone who takes the time to interview you, including at an on‐campus
interview,informationalinterview,ormockinterview.Sendathankyouletterwheneversomeoneextendsyouthecourtesyof
reviewingyourresume.Ifyoumetwithseveralpeopleatacompany,composeauniquethankyouforeachperson.Becareful
tospell theindividual’snamecorrectly,anddonotforgetanyoftheinterviewers.Athankyounoteshowsappreciationand
considerationfortheotherindividual’stimeaffordedtoyou.Youneverknowwhomightlaterpassyournamealongtoa
prospectiveemployer.Ifpossible,sendthethankyounoteviaregularmail,notemail.Undernocircumstancesshouldyoutext
athankyounote.
Athankyouletterhasthemostimpactifitissentwithintwenty‐fourhoursofyourmeeting.Doyourbesttosendthethankyou
letterassoonaspossible,butrememberthatalatethankyouisbetterthannothankyouatall.Inadditiontoacknowledgingthe
timeandconsiderationofthepersonwithwhomyoumet,athankyouletterremindstherecipientthatyouareacandidateand
confirmsyourinterestintheposition.Usetheopportunitytorecalladiscussionyouhad,aqualificationyoupossess,orprovide
additionalinformationthatyoudidnotraiseinthemeeting.However,beconcise,donottrytocontinuetheintervieworqualify
anyofyouranswers.Thecontentsofthenoteshouldonlyservetoreiterateyourinterestintheposition.
WRITINGAFTERAREJECTIONLETTER
Receivingnewsthatyouarenotbeingofferedapositionorinterviewthatyouwereinterestedinisdisappointing.Takeheart,
“no”isonly“no”atonepoint.Considersendingafollowupletterafterreceivingnoticethatyouhavenotbeenselectedfora
positionorinterview.Theselectedcandidatemightdecline,withdrawacceptance,orleaveshortlyafterstartingtheposition.
Otherpositionscouldopen.Bycorrespondingwithanemployerthathaspassedonyourcandidacy,youareabletostateyour
continuedinterestinfutureopportunities.However,donotaskdetailsaboutwhyyouwerenotselected.Thefollow‐upshould
onlyexpressgratitudeforconsiderationandinterestinalternativepositions.Keepthenoteshort,open‐ended,andpositive.
REFERENCES
Onlyprovidereferencesaftertheprospectiveemployerrequeststhem.Donotincludethephrase“Referencesavailableupon
request”in your coverletter,resume, oremail. Providingreferencesis anopportunity toinforma potentialemployerabout
youraccomplishmentsandattributes.
Unlessotherwiserequested,selectthreeorfourreferenceswhowillspeakglowinglyofyourprofessionaloracademicqualities.
Ifyou havemultiplereferencestochoosefrom,chooseindividualswiththemostseniortitlesorindividualswhoworkinthe
sameindustryastheindustryofthejobyouaretargeting.Listthemostseniorindividualfirst.Generally,personalreferences
arenothelpfultoemployers.Itisbesttoapproachformersupervisors or individuals who instructed or mentored you in a
formal capacity. You should also include a phrase or two explaining your relationship on a line directly below their contact
information.Onesentenceissufficient.Referenceslistsshouldbeprintedonpaperandusingthesameformattingasyour
coverletter.Mostoften,yousendreferenceslaterintheprocess.Youshoulddothiswithabrief,appreciativecoverletter.
Alwayscontactyourpotentialreferencesandaskwhethertheyarewillingtospeakpositivelyandenthusiasticallyon
your
behalf.Take the opportunity to update them on your education, accomplishments,andgoalsandtoaskthemabout
themselves.Askthemfortheirpermissiontobecontactedinthenearfuturebyyourpotentialemployers.Donotassumeeach
personwillbewillingtoserveasareference.Notallemployers are authorized or comfortable providing feedback on
employees.Watchforsocialcues:ifthepersonseemshesitanttospeakonyourbehalf,donotlistthemasareference.Waitfor
confirmationfromtheindividualbeforegivingouttheircontactinformation.