Cover Letter Writing

While in my PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) meeting tonight, one of the main topics of conversation was the almighty cover letter. I take it for granted that, for the most part, I can write a pretty snazzy cover letter and call it a day. Many people do not realize how valuable a well tailored cover letter is or that it is even required to apply to a majority of available internships. Cover letters can make you or break you, as well as your resume. I've decided to list off some key notes to keep in mind when beginning to compose or editing an already composed cover letter.

Key Notes 

• Greeting - Address the cover letter to someone specific if possible. For instance, write, "Dear Jared Lane," if he is the one receiving your cover letter and resume. If you are unsure as to who is actually receiving it use something like "Dear Internship Coordinator" or "Dear Hiring Manager" in order to have a decent greeting. 
• Spelling- When writing your cover letter, go over your words with a fine tooth comb. You do not want to make the wrong impression but not correcting that misspelled word. When weeding out the possible candidates, things such as misspelled words on a cover letter can be the deciding factor in whether or not you receive an email or phone to come in for an interview. 
• Grammar- Know when to use "there," "they're," or "their." Also know where to place commons, colons, and such! You don't want to come off as a novice and throw away your chances of landing a life changing internship over a careless mistake! 
• Be Specific- Make sure you do a bit of your homework on the company when composing your letter of interest, your cover letter. The internet makes this so much easier than it was years ago. Go through their website, many companies have Twitter/Facebook/Instagram accounts to check out, as well. Ensure to mention why you are reaching out to this company. If you're focusing on Social Media, mention how you like the way they handle their Facebook. If you have previously interned, describe the skills you picked up and how they can be applied to this company. You have to be crafted while also still having the professional air. Describe a few skills you have, regardless of previous internship experience, and how you believe they will benefit the company. Discuss the subject matter the company deals with, if they are a fashion company, express how deeply rooted your passion for fashion is. 
• Closing- Always have a closing sentence which expresses your openness to an interview and how you look forward to the possibility of working together with the person. Also, end with something like "Best" or "Thank You" with a comma and double space after that to write your full name out. 

I cannot tell you how many of my friends make one or more of these mistakes. I have, in the past, and am not ashamed to admit it. No person on this planet is perfect, but we can try to be the most perfect versions of ourselves. I hope this post helped you and leads you to grip success in your hand.