NYTimes Cover Letter Guidelines Summary http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/jobs/15career.html Jeff McNeill [email_address] http://jeffmcneill.com

Greeting Greeting should be the name of the hiring manager if not, then "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To the Hiring Manager" Use a colon after the greeting

Greeting should be the name of the hiring manager

if not, then "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To the Hiring Manager"

Use a colon after the greeting

Body of Letter Short: no longer than 3-4 paragraphs First paragraph: Explain why you are writing (answering an ad, applying for a job, etc.) Middle paragraphs: Explain why you are a good candidate Show you are knowledgable about the company Convey a clear story about your career and highlight specific past achievements (narrative or bullet points)

Short: no longer than 3-4 paragraphs

First paragraph: Explain why you are writing (answering an ad, applying for a job, etc.)

Middle paragraphs: Explain why you are a good candidate

Show you are knowledgable about the company

Convey a clear story about your career and highlight specific past achievements (narrative or bullet points)

Closing Close with "Sincerely", "Cordially", "Thank you for your consideration" or similar Follow this with name and email address (and phone number)

Close with "Sincerely", "Cordially", "Thank you for your consideration" or similar

Follow this with name and email address (and phone number)

Mistakes to Avoid Typos, misspellings, poor sentence structure Limit use of "I" instead structure letter to stress the company and what you can do to help it reach its goals Do not include too much information Do not point out that you do not meet all the criteria

Typos, misspellings, poor sentence structure

Limit use of "I"

instead structure letter to stress the company and what you can do to help it reach its goals

Do not include too much information

Do not point out that you do not meet all the criteria

Additional Suggestion Follow up any electronic submission with a mailed, hardcopy version and a handwritten note that says something like: "Second submission: I'm very interested."

Follow up any electronic submission with a mailed, hardcopy version and a handwritten note that says something like: "Second submission: I'm very interested."