Cover letters

When applying for an internship or job, you may be wondering if you need a cover letter. The answer is “Yes!” whenever it’s requested or optional. Cover letters are a very important part of “getting in the door”. In many instances, it’s how you make your first impression and show your interest in the position/company.

If a position asks for a personal statement, philosophy statement, or diversity statement along with your application materials review our personal statement resources.

Below are resources explaining what a cover letter is and how to write one effectively.

How to write a cover letter

Whether you’re writing your first cover letter or looking to strengthen an existing one, start with our Steps for Writing a Cover Letter guide.

This guide walks you through each step of the cover letter process and provides practical tips for creating a clear, compelling, and tailored letter.

Ready to see these strategies in action? Explore the cover letter examples below for ideas and inspiration.

Different types of cover letters

Remember with cover letters there is no “one size fits all” as every letter should be tailored towards the employer and the position. The following samples are suggestions of how a cover letter can be formatted: