Cover Letters Good & Bad Examples from previous semesters Bad Example Lacks confidence Vague – lacks any real detail Drifts from topic to topic No real structure Dear Hiring Manager: I am writing to apply for the Purchasing Assistant that was advertised on your company website. I feel that my education, experience, and career interests would be an excellent match for your organization. As a student in the Fox School of Business at Temple University, my studies in Management Information Systems have given me the opportunity to develop valuable analytical skills and throughout my coursework I was able to demonstrate my writing and communication skills during various presentations in the classroom. My work experience with Henry Yeska & Son has given me the proven ability to work independently and as an effective team member. While working on individual tasks, I proved my ability to confidently perform duties on my own while managing my time to complete other daily tasks. I have developed strong interpersonal skills by being a valuable team member while working on projects and on a daily basis interacting with clients. In addition to my academic and work experience, the enclosed resume also demonstrates my willingness to work hard and assume leadership responsibilities. I am confident that I have the training, enthusiasm, and personal qualities to make a positive contribution to Lakeview Hospital. I appreciate your consideration and I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications in person. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Good Example Focused thesis statement Topic sentences that echo thesis claims Detail, data, specifics “So what?” statements at the end of each paragraph A closing that reiterates the thesis and humbly indicates that the student wants future contact. Dear Ms. Smith: I learned through Temple University’s Foxnet that XYZ Summer Camps has a full-time Finance and Accounting Intern position available at the Bryn Mawr, PA location. I am a junior at Temple University, majoring in Accounting. My previous work experiences as a Senior Counselor and as a Server Room Clerk have given me strong skills in detail-orientation, communication, and problem solving, which make me a great candidate for this position. My work experience as a Senior Counselor at John Doe Day Camps strengthened my detail-orientation and communication skills. Part of my responsibilities as a Senior Counselor was to learn important information about 90 teen travel campers. I had to memorize details about each camper which included: hobbies, interests, friendships, and confidential medical needs. Knowing crucial details about each camper’s needs was important in handling any social, disciplinary, and medical problems that arose throughout the summer. In addition, as a member of a four person staff of counselors, I had to communicate daily with the other counselors and my supervisor .

1. Cover Letters
Good & Bad Examples
from previous semesters
Bad Example
Lacks confidence
Vague – lacks any real detail
Drifts from topic to topic
No real structure
Dear Hiring Manager:
I am writing to apply for the Purchasing Assistant that was
advertised on your company website. I feel that my education,
experience, and career interests would be an excellent match for
your organization.
As a student in the Fox School of Business at Temple
University, my studies in Management Information Systems
have given me the opportunity to develop valuable analytical
skills and throughout my coursework I was able to demonstrate
my writing and communication skills during various
presentations in the classroom. My work experience with Henry
Yeska & Son has given me the proven ability to work
independently and as an effective team member. While working

2. on individual tasks, I proved my ability to confidently perform
duties on my own while managing my time to complete other
daily tasks. I have developed strong interpersonal skills by
being a valuable team member while working on projects and on
a daily basis interacting with clients.
In addition to my academic and work experience, the enclosed
resume also demonstrates my willingness to work hard and
assume leadership responsibilities. I am confident that I have
the training, enthusiasm, and personal qualities to make a
positive contribution to Lakeview Hospital. I appreciate your
consideration and I look forward to the opportunity to further
discuss my qualifications in person.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing
from you soon.
Good Example
Focused thesis statement
Topic sentences that echo thesis claims
Detail, data, specifics
“So what?” statements at the end of each paragraph
A closing that reiterates the thesis and humbly indicates that the
student wants future contact.
Dear Ms. Smith:
I learned through Temple University’s Foxnet that XYZ
Summer Camps has a full-time Finance and Accounting Intern
position available at the Bryn Mawr, PA location. I am a junior

3. at Temple University, majoring in Accounting. My previous
work experiences as a Senior Counselor and as a Server Room
Clerk have given me strong skills in detail-orientation,
communication, and problem solving, which make me a great
candidate for this position.
My work experience as a Senior Counselor at John Doe Day
Camps strengthened my detail-orientation and communication
skills. Part of my responsibilities as a Senior Counselor was to
learn important information about 90 teen travel campers. I had
to memorize details about each camper which included: hobbies,
interests, friendships, and confidential medical needs. Knowing
crucial details about each camper’s needs was important in
handling any social, disciplinary, and medical problems that
arose throughout the summer. In addition, as a member of a four
person staff of counselors, I had to communicate daily with the
other counselors and my supervisor about safety procedures for
activities, activity scheduling, weather concerns, and
disciplinary problems with campers. Once an issue arose, I
brought it to the attention of the other counselors and to my
supervisor and we discussed possible solutions. I communicated
those solutions to my campers in a way that children 11-14
years old would listen and understand. I am confident that my
detail-orientation and communication skills will easily translate
to reviewing payroll packages and reports accurately and
collaborating with team members.
I gained strong problem solving skills from my position as
Server Room Clerk at IT
Solution
s, LLC. Working for IT