HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER

Cover Letter是用来简要的介绍一下你自己，表现你为什么适合你所申请的工作的。内容上第一段主要说明你申请的工作，应提及你如何得知那个空缺的。简要介绍一下你的来历。很重要的是表达一下你的热情。第二第三段主要讲述你的经历为什么使你成为这个工作的不二之选。重点讲你能给教授或公司带来什么，而不要只说这个工作对你有多重要。另外，要注意不要与Resume或CV的文字完全一样。第四段，也是最后一段，要标明你很向往一次面试，重复你的联系方式，谢谢对方。

cover letter 是与你的简历同时投递的，如果你的cover letter 上的内容和简历的一致，那你也不必多费功夫了。求职信是比简历更具体的东西，你要用你的工作经历向雇主证明，你多么适合这份工作。简历是很死板的东西，条条框框太多，但 cover letter 可以表现你的个性，能力以及工作热忱。下面，我简要说几个注意点：

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? Use one page only. 求职信无需啰啰嗦嗦，一页即可。 Overall, think of your letter as a polite sales pitch about yourself and what benefits you can bring to the company.求职信说白了，就是推销自己，如果你进了公司，会给公司带来如何如何的好处，别怕羞，也别夸大其词。 Use the same name, content and format guidelines as for a business letter.我记得我之前写过如何写商务往来信件的帖子，不妨回过去看看称呼，格式，内容如何书写。 Address the letter to a specific person. If you can’t discover a name, use a gender-neutral title such as “Dear Personnel Director.” 对雇主，如果知道姓名，直接用Mr./Ms **, 如果不晓得，用中性称呼。 Open your letter by identifying the position for which you’re applying.信的开头就要写明你求的是哪个职位。 Mention your qualifications and explain how your background will meet the job requirements介绍你的长处和能力，证明你十分胜任这份工作，非常符合雇主的要求 Make clear that you’re familiar with the company or organization; your research will impress the employer.让人对你有个好的印象，就多了解求职公司的情况，体现你对这份工作的重视程度。 End by being specific about what you can do for the company. If the job will be your first , give your key attributes-but make sure they’re relevant.信的结尾写上你能为公司做些什么。如果这是你的第一份工作，就列出你的优点，例如你工作仔细，守时，自律等等。 State when you are available for an interview and how the potential employer can reach you.一定要写明你的联系方式，什么时候方便面试。 Edit and proofread the letter carefully.仔细检查有什么笔误的地方，

直到没问题，再打印出来。

Purpose of a Cover Letter

Cover letters are used to introduce yourself and to briefly explain your qualifications to a prospective employer. A cover letter should always accompany your resume or CV when applying for a position. The cover letter should highlight the information included on your resume or CV but not duplicate information word for word. Cover Letter Template

Your Present Address

City, State, Zip Code

Date of Letter

Individual's Name

Title

Employer

Street Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. :

First Paragraph: In your initial paragraph, indicate the reason for writing, the specific position or type of work for which you are applying, and how you learned of the opening. (Prior contact with employer or employees of the organization you are applying to, newspaper advertisement, the Internet, etc.)

Second/Third Paragraphs: Mention why you are interested in the position and the

organization. Above all, indicate what you can do for the employer. Explain how your academic background makes you a qualified candidate for the position. Mention ideas for future research, if applicable. If you have related experience, point this out by mentioning specific achievements or unique qualifications gained through this experience. Do not repeat information word for word as it appears in your resume/CV. Fourth Paragraph: In the closing paragraph, indicate your desire for an interview. Repeat your phone number and email in the letter and offer to provide additional information, if necessary.

Finally, thank the employer for his/her consideration.

Sincerely,

(Your Handwritten Signature)

(Your Name Typed)

SAMPLE LETTER：

May 07, 2008

Dr. XXXX XXXX

Biology Search Committee Chair

c/o Human Resources

Bard College

P.O. Box 5000

Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000

Dear Dr. XXXX:

I am writing in response to your advertisement in the November 9 issue of Science magazine, which announced a position vacancy for a Quantitative Biologist. I am excited about the opportunity to apply for a faculty position in the Biology Department of Bard College and believe that my research and teaching background make me a strong candidate. I am a molecular biologist currently finishing a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of XXXX at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Over the years, I have developed an innovative approach to teaching and conducting research with undergraduates through creating and presenting course materials in both laboratory and classroom settings. In my experience, the best teaching involves concrete, hands-on examples, so I engage students in my courses by encouraging the maximum laboratory participation possible .…

The research project I intend to pursue at Bard College involves the development of.… This is a project that I feel will interest and inspire undergraduates while allowing me to continue to produce the highest quality work in my field.

Included in this packet, please find my curriculum vitae, statements regarding my research and teaching in…I appreciate being considered for your faculty position. Please let me know if I can provide additional information in support of my application…

Sincerely,

XXXXX

Tips

· If possible, address the letter to the appropriate individual by name and professional title. If you are unable to find this information, use a formal title (Director of Personnel, Chair, Search Committee, etc.)

· Avoid beginning every sentence or paragraph with the word "I."

· Open your cover letter with a strong statement. Express enthusiasm about the position you are applying for.

· Tell why you are interested in the employer. Indicate what you can do for the employer rather than what the employer can do for you.

· Always proofread to correct spelling and punctuation errors. Both the cover letter and resume or CV must be free of mistakes. There is a counselor available at the Office of Postdoctoral Services to critique your cover letter when you have completed your draft.

· Before writing, review the job ad to highlight skills and experiences that will be critical for the successful candidate to possess. Use this information to write your letter by highlighting similar experiences you have had. (See example below)

SAMPLE JOB AD:

Assistant Professor listing as seen in the 9 November 2003 issue of Science:

QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY Bard College's Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is seeking a colleague who will complement our existing strengths in molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics, and ecology. The successful candidate

will be involved in developing an innovative curriculum in which Bard undergraduates develop a strong foundation in the traditional fields and become proficient with the computational methods employed in those fields. Preference will be given to candidates interested in involving undergraduates in an ongoing research program and in developing collaborative connections with members of the Bard faculty. In addition, opportunities exist for developing collaborations and undergraduate courses and programs with the faculty at Rockefeller University. The appointment will be made at the ASSISTANT PROFESSOR level starting July 1, 2004. Applicants should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statements of teaching and research interests, and three letters of recommendation to: Robert Cutler, Biology Search Committee Chair, c/o Human Resources, Bard College, P.O. Box 5000, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000. Start-up funding is available. Candidates must have a Ph.D. Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews will begin in November 2003. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.