Write a Great Cover Letter
Your cover letter is your chance to make a strong first impression—more personal than a resume and tailored to the specific job. Use it to highlight your fit, show your professional personality, and leave employers eager to interview you.
Why is a Cover Letter Important
Stand Out
A great cover letter helps you stand out in a crowded field. It can be the extra information that puts you ahead of a competitor.
Tell Your Story
A cover letter is a place to tell your story and gives you a chance to tell the company how you can help them.
Show Your Research
Your cover letter lets you show that you know about the company and what is important to them.
Interview Prep
Writing your cover letter requires some of the same work as preparing for an interview. It’s great practice!
Cover Letter Basics
Purpose & Length
The goal of a cover letter is to show your value to the company and explain why they should hire you.
Keep it concise: ¾ of a page to one full page is the ideal length.
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Tailor to the Job
Customize your letter for each position. Don’t reuse the same one for multiple applications.
Align with the job description: pull key words and highlight how your skills match. Use the Aligning Yourself: Job Description resource to guide you.
No job description? Write an Outreach Letter (see our Outreach Messaging resource for tips).
Addressing Your Letter
Always try to find the hiring manager’s name and address them directly (e.g., Dear First Name Last Name). Double-check spelling!
If you can’t find a specific person, address it to the whole team (e.g., Dear ArtCenter Team).
Show, Don’t Just Tell
Use specific examples and stories to demonstrate your skills and impact.
Whenever possible, include numbers or measurable outcomes to strengthen your case.
Cover Letter Template
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Introduce yourself. Include your current status (student at ArtCenter, area of study, anticipated completion date). Let them know why you are contacting them, and mention the job for which you are applying.
If someone referred you or recommended that you apply, identify them.
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Describe why you are interested in the organization or their products and services. Why do you want to work with them? How does your work align with theirs? Be specific. Show you’ve done your research by sharing how you connect with the company’s mission statement or other places they’ve identified their values.
(See Aligning Yourself: Company Research)
Give an example of how a specific company product or project inspires you, your work, or your creative process.
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Align your skills with the employer’s needs by communicating how those skills would be valuable to them. This shows that you have done your research.
(See Aligning Yourself: Job Description)
Describe your education, work experience (including specific projects), and how these have prepared you for the position. Us key words from the job description. Use concrete examples to show why you see yourself fitting in at their company. What can you contribute to the organization?
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Wrap it up and let the employer know that you appreciate their time. Using the company name, reiterate your enthusiasm for working with them. Indicate the best way to reach you and be specific: email or phone (your preference).
Identify what you are sending.
(“I have attached my resume and a link to my portfolio.”)
Include a signature on your email or letter
(name, contact info, program at ArtCenter).
Cover Letter Resources
Cover Letter Workshp