{"id":316,"date":"2026-04-29T16:07:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T20:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center-new-nav\/?page_id=316"},"modified":"2026-05-06T13:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T17:32:11","slug":"writing-cover-letters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/career-resources\/writing-cover-letters\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing Cover Letters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<aside class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull promo\" style=\"min-height:50vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-782\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/Screenshot-2023-02-20-130325-png.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#d6cdc7\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:1rem\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#212121bf;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);flex-basis:38%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-8e0474a6a26607688cdf5d4e44c86d28\" id=\"h-tell-your-story-stand-out\">Tell your story, stand out<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-989d9ddc0b5f8d439726d2aff5eb13a7\">Your cover letter is more than an introduction, it\u2019s your chance to tell your story and show employers why you\u2019re the right fit. While your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 lists your skills and experience, your cover letter connects the dots and adds personality to your application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns sidebar is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-cover-letters-matter\">Why cover letters matter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It gives you an opportunity to stand out from other applicants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It demonstrates your interest in the role and the organization.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It highlights how your skills and experiences align with the job.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-write-a-strong-cover-letter\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">How to write a strong cover letter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Start with a strong opening<\/strong>: Address the letter to a specific person whenever possible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Show your fit<\/strong>: Explain how your background matches the job requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep it concise<\/strong>: One page is enough\u2014make every sentence count.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>End with confidence<\/strong>: Express enthusiasm and include a clear next step (e.g., \u201cI look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team.\u201d).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-common-mistakes-to-avoid\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Common mistakes to avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Using the same cover letter for every job<\/strong>: Employers can tell when it\u2019s generic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Repeating your r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>: Add context and personality instead of listing the same details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Being too vague<\/strong>: Avoid clich\u00e9s like \u201chard worker\u201d without examples.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skipping proofreading<\/strong>: Typos and errors leave a bad impression.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><nav class=\"is-vertical wp-block-navigation is-content-justification-stretch is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-2c14e10a wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"career readiness submenu\"><ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container  is-vertical wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/career-resources\/writing-resumes-and-cvs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Writing r&eacute;sum&eacute;s and CVs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/career-resources\/writing-cover-letters\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Writing cover letters<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/career-resources\/interviewing\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Interviewing<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/career-resources\/research-salaries-and-negotiation\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Research salaries and negotiation<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/career-resources\/find-a-job\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Find a job<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/career-resources\/build-your-network\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Build your network<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/career-resources\/apply-for-graduate-school\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Apply for Graduate School<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/clarku.joinhandshake.com\/edu\">Make AN appointment<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-color has-dark-warm-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-9e8e07f2fa2b10d3bb026805bfa7a0d3 is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c385debf wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-helpful-resources\">Helpful resources<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/Cover-Letter-Guide-2022.docx\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/Cover-Letter-Guide-2022.docx\">Cover letter guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group section is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-career-lab\">Career lab<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/career-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/career-lab-5-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"students offering consultation in the Career Lab\" class=\"wp-image-117\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p>Are you looking for help with your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile? Whether you\u2019re in the beginning stages and not sure how to get started or just need help polishing your materials before sending them out into the world, our Peer Career Assistants are here to help you with your career-related needs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>The Career Lab is open to support Clark students with r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter reviews. Clark students have two options for receiving feedback on their application materials:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-stretch is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#00abc21c\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-email\">Email<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For a written review of your materials, please send the following to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:careerlab@clarku.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">careerlab@clarku.edu<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The date you need the document reviewed by (please allow 2-3 business days).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The document(s) you need reviewed attached as Word docs or PDFs.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A sentence or two about what you are using these documents to apply for (if possible, include a link to the opportunity so we can provide suggestions on how to tailor your application materials).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-stretch is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#c469001c\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-virtual-appointments\">Virtual appointments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For a personal review, schedule a 30-minute virtual appointment by following the instructions below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Log into&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/clarku.joinhandshake.com\/edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Handshake<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select \u201cCareer Center\u201d then \u201cAppointments\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Schedule a new \u201cCareer Connections Center\u201d appointment with the \u201cCareer Lab\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Drop-In Hours:&nbsp;<\/strong>During the academic year (fall and spring semesters), the Career Lab is open for in-person drop-in hours on the first floor of the Shaich Family Alumni and Student Engagement Center (ASEC) weekdays between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/offices\/career-connections-center\/resources\/career-lab\/#\">Email Us<\/a><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-attend-drop-in-hours\">Attend drop-in hours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>(Fall &amp; Spring only) Drop by the Career Lab for help with your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile and help getting started with Handshake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drop-in hours are from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday on the first floor of the ASEC Building.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please sign in upon arrival.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why cover letters matter How to write a strong cover letter Common mistakes to avoid Helpful resources<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":4,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-316","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.1 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Writing Cover Letters | Career Connections Center | Clark University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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