Cover Letter Tip #3

The First Paragraph: Research First

Explain the purpose of the cover letter. Try not to start with things like “I wanted to apply for such and such…” or “I am writing in reference to such and such position…” If you are submitting the resume based on given instructions, your cover letter and resume should be attached to that position already. In this first paragraph you want to mention something about the company that you have learned from your research. Or, if a particular person referred you to the company, this is a great place to mention this person by name. If this is the case, you may want to base some of the comments here on what this person has told you about working for the company.