COVER LETTER
KARI McGUIDE
100 Pickard St., Apt. 45 • Mount Pleasant, MI • (989) 555-2222 • [email protected]
August 1, 2014
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Mr. John P. Johnston
Vice President
Ajax Accounting Company
555 Tamarack Drive
Billings, ND 55221
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Greetings Mr. Johnston:
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Thank you, once again, for speaking with me during your recent visit to the City College of New York’s
Accounting Career Day. I enjoyed learning more about your background in forensic accounting and the
Staff Accounting positions available with Ajax. During our meeting, you suggested that I send my resume
and cover letter to you as application for the position.
posting the letter, be sure to include the
date.
3 When possible, address the letter to a specific
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person. If you don’t have a specific person
to address, include the company, office/
department, and address.
4 Show enthusiasm in your salutation
instead of the common “Dear Mr. Last
Name.” If you don’t know his/her name,
you could use “Hiring Committee.”
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I know the skills attained in my coursework, through internship and work experiences, and from my cocurricular involvements make me a well-qualified candidate for this position. I look forward to speaking
with you further about the position; my contact information is above, and I look forward to hearing from
you as you begin to make hiring decisions.
Thank You For Your Time,
application materials by using the same
heading as your resume.
2 When you are e-mailing, mailing, or
As I complete my Accounting major and the required 150 credits to be eligible for the CPA exam, there are
several classes that have prepared me for the Staff Accountant position. In the Auditing and Accounting
class, for example, we had to complete five case studies on different departments on campus. We were
given limited access to their past year’s financial statements to determine any discrepancies and we were
able to present cost-saving recommendations to the Directors in each area. I also completed two Forensic
Accounting classes, which gave me necessary auditing and detail skills needed to succeed with Ajax. My
advisor also gave me the opportunity to prepare taxes for college students. I have completed over 35 tax
returns through this hands-on program.
Communication skills are essential in this position, as I would be meeting with clients and traveling to
corporate locations to complete audits. As the president of two organizations on campus and having
spent a semester in Italy, I have focused on developing strong communication and interpersonal skills. In
addition, I have worked for two consecutive summers and over holiday breaks in the clothing retail field.
Strong communication skills are certainly a must when handling returns the day after a major holiday in a
high-traffic mall!
1 Create a consistent look for your
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Kari McGuide
Kari McGuide
5 INTRODUCTION:
Identify the position you are
seeking.
Mention names/titles of any
referrals.
Thank the person for past
communication.
Connect through common skills,
experiences, goals that fit the
opportunity, and why you are
interested.
6 BODY:
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
When you’re not face-to-face with an employer, your cover letter is your
introduction.
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The best cover letters are customized for the employer receiving them.
Show an employer that you’re the best candidate by tailoring your
experiences with what they’re looking for in the job description (see
page 24 for an example).
Be professional and direct while showing a personal interest and
passion for their industry and your field of study.
APPLYING BY EMAIL: Your email message can become a quick summary
of your cover letter. Avoid using the same language as your letter.
Simply stating “See Attached” can be a missed opportunity and
shows lack of interest.
Highlight and expand on your
strongest qualifications that match
the position and employer’s culture.
Develop themes based on
experiences or skills that match the
opportunity.
Include transferrable skills, industry
specific skills, or experiences.
Provide concrete evidence
throughout to showcase skills.
Avoid generic statements that are
not validated with any specific
information.
7 CONCLUSION:
Consider summarizing your qualifications
and mention when you are available
(relocating to a specific area, interview,
start date, or hire).
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