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Eastern Illinois University

Career Services

Cover Letter Quick Tips


Target your message. 
Describe how your skills, expertise, and accomplishments can benefit the employer. Highlight one or two of your accomplishments or abilities that show you are an above-average candidate for the position. Stressing one or two attributes will increase your chances of being remembered by the recruiter and securing an interview.

Be purposeful. Every cover letter is different, but many effective cover letters provide evidence of the following: company knowledge, technical knowledge, enthusiasm, communication skills, leadership, teamwork, comfort with deadlines, responsibility, ability to learn quickly, maturity and self-starting.

Show your interest. Gain an extra edge by showing that you have specific knowledge about the company or industry. This shows that you are genuinely interested in the job and not just blindly sending out hundreds of resumes. More importantly, the employer will view your interest as an indication that you are likely to stay within the company for a substantial period of time if you are hired.

DO NOT MASS PRODUCE. It is especially important to relate your skills and experience to a specific position in a specific organization. Spotlight your accomplishments and measurable results. Consider that each potential employer is looking for different skills and qualities in each candidate.

Send to specific individual. Ideally, your cover letter should be addressed to the person making the hiring decisions. It may take some resourcefulness on your part to identify this person, but you will make a better impression in the long run.

ALWAYS send a cover letter with your resume. Even if the job advertisement reads "send resume," be sure to include a cover letter as well. It is not professional to send a resume without one.


General Tips


Cover Letter Openers

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Alumni 

 

 

General 

CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT

Career Services

1301 Human Services, Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-2412
careers@eiu.edu

Office Hours

School Year Hours: Monday - Friday: 8am - 4:30pm Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8am - 4:30pm ; Friday: 8am - 12pm