Cover Letters

The goals of a cover letter are to 1) convey that you are a good fit for the job, and 2) convey that they are the right fit for you. Write a unique cover letter for each job. Keep it to one page. Avoid generic statements, like, "I am a hard worker."

  • Paragraph 1
    • State the job you are applying for using the details posted on the job advertisement.
    • Briefly state why the job is a good fit for you--why are you applying?
    • Briefly state why you are a good fit for the job.
  • Paragraph 2
    • Describe why you are a good fit in detail
    • Describe your skills.
    • Mention degrees.
    • Describe certifications
    • Describe relevant projects.
    • Include relevant coursework.
    • The work arrangements work for you.
  • Paragraph 3
    • Describe why they are a good fit for you.
    • You might be excited by the projects you would work on.
    • Maybe the location is where you want to live.
    • You might love the industry.
    • You might know a lot about the company and its operations.
  • Paragraph 4
    • Reiterate your interest.
    • Describe how they can contact you if they have questions.

Below is an abbreviated sample.

Your Name
Your Street
Your City, State, Zip
(888) 555-1212
you@gmail.com

April 15, 2025

Dear Selection Committee,

I am applying for position #123, Junior Cyber Analyst. While earning my degree in information and cyber defense, I learned the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this position. My internship experience also helped me to understand the kind of problems that Company X faces. I am excited about working for Company X in my hometown.

My education and work experience align very well with the job requirements. I will be graduating with my B.S. Information Assurance and Cyber Defense in May 2025. In my curriculum, I completed hands-on projects performing port scans, vulnerability assessments, and writing vulnerability reports. Also, my internship experience gave me experience using Platform X. I had the opportunity to teach high schoolers about these topics at YooperCon--a cybersecurity event for high school students. My education and skills align well with the job requirements.

Company X is in a critical industry. I have always been excited about the possibility of working in the X industry because of my experience with Y. When I spoke to the recruiter, I was surprised to learn X. The projects sound challenging and exciting to me. I am excited about the opportunity to work with the security team to protect Company X's critical assets.

Thank you for considering my application for the Junior Cyber Analyst position. I believe I have the knowledge and skills to provide positive contributions to Company X. I am excited about the chance to work for a cutting-edge company in my hometown. Please reach out to me by email or phone if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Your Name