Cover Letter Writing Guide

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

To be used with the

Cornell Career Services

Career Guide

Including edits and examples from A. Quagliata, Management Communication (8/2014)

Updated August 2016

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

WRITING COVER LETTERS

A cover letter provides an opportunity to explain how your experiences will benefit a potential employer. The letter

introduces you to the company by highlighting your transferable skills, special features of your education and other

experiences which qualify you for a particular position within the organization. A well-written letter distinguishes you from

other applicants and is equally as important as your résumé in a job search.

Cover letters will almost always need to accompany your résumé, however when application instructions are provided,

you should follow them exactly. Companies may specify what items they want or do not want submitted with an

application (i.e. cover letter, references, transcript).

CONTENT AND FORMAT

An effective cover letter is written in a formal business-letter format and is one page in length. Your letter needs to be

concise, well-organized and tailored to both the position and company to which you are applying. Your cover letter

demonstrates your writing skills, so proofread it multiple times. Employers will notice your grammar, style and spelling.

One simple mistake can negatively impact your candidacy.

Your letter should be written to a specific person in the organization. Write to a person who has the ability to hire you

(who may or may not be someone in Human Resources). Avoid using the impersonal “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To

Whom It May Concern.” If you have any questions about to whom to address the letter, use the resources available at the

library or the Office of Student Services, or call the company and ask for the correct name, spelling, and title.

Personalization of your letters makes a positive impression with employers.

If you’re sending your cover letter and resume by email, include them as PDF attachments to ensure that the formatting

remains intact. Make your accompanying email message short and clear. Indicate the reason for the email and direct the

receiver to your attached documents. Make sure your email address is appropriate for communicating with an employer.

Opening Paragraph:

• State why you are writing the letter and how you found out about the position

• State why you are interested in the position, focusing on how you can meet the company’s needs

• Craft an effective statement that will entice the recipient to read your letter in its entirety

• Summarize the body of your e-mail

Body:

• Focus on telling the story of how your experiences will be of benefit to the employer

• Highlight just a few of the most relevant examples from your background which are most directly related to the

position and explain why they are of importance to the employer

• Avoid writing a letter which mainly restates the information that is on your resume

• Avoid exaggerating your experience, role in group projects and/or level of content knowledge

• Create one or two short paragraphs for this section (typically 6-8 sentences if using one paragraph; 3-4 sentences

per paragraph if using two paragraphs)

Closing:

• Thank the reader for their time and re-express your interest in the position

• Depending on the application instructions for the position, indicate the timeframe within which you will contact

the recipient to follow-up on your application

• Sign your letter, even if you are going to send it as a PDF attachment to an e-mail

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS

• Develop an organizational system for your job or internship search

• Keep a copy of all of your cover letters and make notes about any follow-up needed or completed

• Demonstrate professionalism in all e-mail, phone and fax communication with employers

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

COVER LETTER BASICS

FROM CORNELL CAREER SERVICES CAREER GUIDE

Return address indicates

where Susan is currently

living.

Address letter to person with hiring

responsibility, which may be

indicated in the job announcement.

If unclear, begin with “Dear

Human Resources Director”

Use person’s full name if you don’t

know gender: “Dear Pat Smith.”

Letter opens by stating

why she is writing. Identify

position or type of work for which

you are applying, how you learned

of position, and why you’re

interested in working for the

organization. Draw reader in to

ensure he or she reads the entire

letter. Refer to any contact you’ve

had with the organization, providing

names of people with whom you

have spoken.

Indicate in the middle paragraphs

that you understand position

requirements and demonstrate you

are a good match for the job.

Highlight and expand upon

experiences, skills, and interests

stated in your resume.

Concrete examples help

demonstrate how Susan’s

experience has prepared

her to fulfill the

requirements of the

position.

She summarizes her

qualifications related to

the position and outlines

options for ensuring that

an interview will take

place. She demonstrated

initiative by saying she

will follow up with a

phone call.

The inclusion of her

resume is noted.

1111 Dryden Road

Ithaca, New York 14850

February 5, 20XX

Ms. Joan Lewis

Lower School Director

Glendale Day School

85 W. 61st Street

New York, New York 10004

Dear Ms. Lewis:

I am writing in application for one of the six teaching fellowships awarded annually at

Glendale Day School. As a native New Yorker, I am familiar with Glendale Day School’s

reputation for educational excellence; as an alumna of the Dalton School, I know the private

elementary school environment firsthand.

For some time I have known that I want to pursue a career in teaching and have sought

summer employment and volunteer activities with this goal in mind. While working at a day

camp for three summers, I learned the patience and tolerance needed for working with

children on a daily basis. At Asphalt Green Day Camp, I managed and led a group of thirty

children in active learning projects, such as discovery hikes. These projects required the

ability to maintain control of the group and to ensure their safety, while facilitating both their

education and enjoyment.

I have also worked with young children on an individual basis. As a math tutor and as a

mentor for troubled children, I have designed activities and lessons for individual youngsters

coping with academic or emotional difficulties. Currently, I volunteer three hours a week in a

first-grade classroom at a local elementary school, where I have gained experience working

with children in a formal classroom environment.

Working with young children, whether one-on-one, in groups, or in the classroom, requires

patience, energy, and dedication. I believe my paid and volunteer experiences, as described in

my enclosed resume, have prepared me for the demands of a teaching fellowship. I would

welcome the opportunity to discuss available positions with you and can travel to New York

any Friday. I will contact you within a week to arrange a meeting. If you would like to contact

me sooner, you can reach me at (607) 555-5555 or e-mail me at xx99@cornell.edu. I look

forward to speaking with you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Very truly yours,

Susan G. Moore

Enclosure

Note: Susan is consistent in writing out the state

name here and in her resume.

She remembers to

sign her name.

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

Sample: Freshman Cover Letter – Operations

Before writing your cover

letter read through the

organization’s web site

and job posting.

Highlight the qualities,

skills, and abilities that

the employer wants.

Quotes from the job posting

are included below. Note how

the author demonstrates she

understands the needs of her

audience.

“An internship allows you to

experience our culture, learn our

standards and gain exposure to

various areas of a hotel or resort.”

“The deeply instilled Four Seasons

culture is personified by its

employees – people who share a

single focus and are inspired to offer

great service.”

“Handles all guest interactions with

the highest level of hospitality and

professionalism, accommodating

special requests whenever possible;

resolves customer complaints.”

“Exceptional interpersonal, verbal,

and written communication skills.

Ability to work in teams, with

people from diverse backgrounds.”

“Works harmoniously and

professionally with co-workers and

supervisors.”

Tailor each cover letter you

write to the job you want.

Note how this letter includes

the title of the position, name

of the organization, and

specific examples of how the

author will contribute to Four

Seasons.

1234 Balch Hall

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY 14850

March 6, 20XX

Mr. Michael Martin

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

One Logan Square

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6933

Dear Mr. Martin:

I am writing to express my interest in a Rooms Division Internship at Four Seasons Hotel

Philadelphia. As a student at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, I am

pursuing a career in hotel operations. The opportunity to learn your standards and gain

exposure to various areas of a hotel fits well with my education, experience, and passion for

the hospitality industry.

My restaurant experience has provided me the opportunity to develop an appreciation for

quality service that will be useful as an intern at your property. As a hostess at the Bocaccinis

Italian Bistro & Bar, I greeted guests with a welcoming smile and always aimed to exceed

their expectations. As a server, I enjoyed building relationships with customers, learning their

names, and making repeat customers feel special. You will find that I am able to adapt to

changing priorities and schedules, anticipate customer needs, and resolve customer

complaints quickly. As an intern at Four Seasons, I will offer personalized service and strive to

create unforgettable memories for guests.

With my strong communication skills and experience working in teams, I am confident that I

can step into a customer facing position and be immediately productive. While volunteering

for Habitat for Humanity, I developed the ability to explain concepts in an appropriate

manner based on my audience, a skill that could come in handy if provided the opportunity

to work at the Front Desk, in Guest Services, or with the Kids For All Seasons program. In

addition, my experience as a varsity athlete has shown that I am comfortable taking the lead

when needed, but that I am also good at taking directions.

The attached resume includes more details about my education, experience, and skills;

however, I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you in more

detail. I will contact you next to week confirm receipt of my application materials and request

a personal interview. If you would like to contact me sooner, you can reach me at (607) xxx-

xxxx or flxx@cornell.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

First M. Last

[email protected], (607) xxx-xxxx

School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University 20xx

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

Sample: Sophomore Cover Letter – Operations

1126 College Avenue, #99B

Ithaca, NY 14853

March xx, 20xx

Ms. Jane Lewis

Vice President-Development

Thayer Lodging Group, Inc.

1997 Annapolis Exchange Pkwy, Suite 500

Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Ms. Lewis:

I was delighted to learn of the Thayer Lodging Group’s Rotational Internship opportunity through the Career

Management Office at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. Recently, I declared a sales and

marketing concentration, which will enable me to integrate what I’ve learned, both in the classroom and through my

work experience, at Thayer Lodging. I am confident my skills and interests are a good match for this position.

My experience as a Six Sigma Intern for the Westin Crown Center in downtown Kansas City provided me the

opportunity to enhance my analytical and management skills. My knowledge of this quality management strategy

will allow me to improve service, reduce expenses, and increase net margins at Thayer properties. While at Westin, I

collected data by running time trials for a new Westin meetings concept. After assembling and analyzing the data, I

developed an Excel labor savings model that compared the traditional meeting concept versus the new meeting

concept. In addition, I helped write the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for this project based on suggestions

for improvement from the housemen and directors as well as from my own observations.

In addition, I understand the importance of being a team player. Over the last several years, I have gained practical

experience in leading teams. I recently served as the marketing director for the 84th Annual Hotel Ezra Cornell, a

student-run conference for hospitality industry leaders. In this role, I led a team of seven to ensure high levels of

attendance during challenging economic times for the service industry.

My resume is enclosed for your review. I will contact you within the next week to possibly arrange a time to discuss

my qualifications. If you would like to contact me sooner, you can reach me at flxx@cornell.edu or (607) xxx-xxxx. I

look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

First M. Last

[email protected], c. (607) xxx-xxxx

School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University 20xx

Enclosure

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

Sample: Junior Cover Letter – HR Consulting

flxx@cornell.edu

School Address: Home Address:

1126 College Avenue, Room 12 501 Stony Street

Ithaca, NY 14850 Tempe, AZ 88888

(607) xxx-xxxx (607) xxx-xxx

February xx, 20xx

Ms. Jane Lewis

Deloitte Consulting LLP

25 Broadway

New York, NY 10004

Dear Ms. Lewis:

I am writing to apply for the Human Capital Summer Scholar Intern Program for the summer of 20xx. As a junior at the

School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, I am pursuing a career in human resources consulting. I am

particularly drawn to the size and scope of Deloitte Consulting and the many people-focused services your company offers.

My experience administering employee benefits, handling personal and work issues, developing new employee orientation,

and reviewing resumes and applications will serve me well at Deloitte Consulting. This past summer, I worked for an

independent training company called Training by Design and helped prepare training materials and executive coaching

reports. The training material was implemented throughout a company’s southeast region for entry-level management.

I’ve also worked as a Human Resources Coordinator at a 400-room resort in the Key Biscayne, Florida.

In addition to my work experience, I’ve taken multiple human resources related courses at Cornell University including

Human Resources Management, Training and Development, and Corporate Communication. I am also a teaching

assistant for the Human Resources Management class in the School of Hotel Administration. Moreover, I am very

interested and involved in industry research and analysis and work as a research assistant for two professors. One of my

current research projects includes analysis of internal and external branding surveys for the Senior Vice President of

Human Resources of Movenpick Hotels & Resorts.

The Human Capital Summer Scholar Intern Program seems like a perfect fit for me, and I thank you for your

consideration. I will contact you by the end of next week to arrange a time to further discuss my qualifications for Deloitte

Consulting. I am available on most Fridays to be in New York City. I look forward to possibly meeting you and your staff

during an interview.

Kind Regards,

First Last

School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

Sample: Junior Cover Letter – Marketing

1126 College Avenue

Apartment #581K

Ithaca, NY 14850

October xx, 20xx

Mr. Rolando Rodriguez

University Programs Recruiter

Expedia, Inc.

333 108th Ave NE

Bellevue, WA 98004-5703

Dear Mr. Rodriguez:

I am writing to express my interest in the Market Associate internship opportunity with Expedia, Inc. As a junior at

the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, I am very interested in applying my knowledge, skills, and

experience to assist Expedia in meeting its goals.

My experiences in online marketing, hospitality consulting, hotel operations, and food service provide me a strong

foundation to aid the Market Management team in identifying, implementing, and executing strategic initiatives

designed to improve key business metrics at Expedia. During my time at Starwood Hotels and Resorts, I contributed

to their online marketing department, modified metadata to improve search engine ratings, and conducted quality

assurance of keyword buys resulting in increased revenues for Starwood’s brands. I hope to use my ability to

establish relationships, evaluate market trends, use technology, and interpret and analyze data to accomplish similar

results at Expedia.

My coursework at Cornell includes Managing Hospitality Distribution Strategies, Yield Management, Management

Communication, and Business Computing. Furthermore, as a results focused, self-starting, collaborative individual, I

have the personality traits that are necessary to work cohesively within Expedia’s Market Management team.

My academic and professional qualifications as well as my personal traits are a perfect match for Expedia. I would

appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might join Expedia as an intern and will contact you by the end of next

week. You can reach me by phone at (607) xxx-xxxx or e-mail me at [email protected]. I look forward to speaking

with you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

First Last

Attachment: Resume

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

Sample: Senior Cover Letter – Operations

1126 College Avenue

Apartment # 581B

Ithaca, NY 14850

March xx, 20xx

Mr. John Lewis

College Recruiter

Gaylord Hotels

2800 Opryland Drive

Nashville, Tennessee 37214

Dear Mr. Lewis:

I was excited to learn about the Leader in Training opportunity at Gaylord Hotels through the Career Management website for

the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. As a senior graduating with a variety of hotel experience, including a

valuable and memorable time at the Gaylord Texas Resort in Dallas, I am confident my skills and interests are a good match for

the Leader in Training Program.

My operations experience at Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas and various Four Season locations provide me with a good

background for Leader in Training Program. At Gaylord, I rotated through front desk, housekeeping, and banquets. In

addition to operations experience, I participated and contributed to the “green” experience benchmarking process at the Four

Seasons Bali Resorts assisting them to become more environmentally friendly. Most recently at the Four Seasons Boston, I

worked as a front services intern in three capacities: bellman, valet, and valet cashier, sometimes handling all in one day.

However, I am most proud of my special assignment at the Boston property where I applied the knowledge I gained from

working in Bali to guide and assist the Engineering Department in strengthening their “green” program to decrease the hotel’s

environmental impact. It was a great opportunity to build on all of my previous summer experiences.

The knowledge I gained from summer internships and my education enables me to provide Gaylord Hotels with a strong work

ethic and skill-set. In addition to my hands-on knowledge, the leadership skills I’ve gained as Co-chair of the Cornell University

Orientation Steering Committee positions me as a candidate capable of assuming a wide range of challenges. As Co-chair, I was

directly responsible for providing the incoming Cornell freshman class (about 3500 students) with a great orientation experience.

My experience included training the 700 orientation volunteers and organizing six large scale events.

I have attached my résumé for your review. I would welcome the opportunity to work for Gaylord again and to meet you and

your staff to discuss my qualifications for the Leader in Training Program. I will contact you on March xx. If you would like to

contact me sooner, you can reach me by phone at

(607) xxx-xxxx or email at flxx@cornell.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Regards,

First Last

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

Sample: Senior Cover Letter – Operations

1126 College Avenue, #99B

Ithaca, NY 14850

January xx, 20xx

Ms. Jane Lewis

Executive Assistant - HR

Breakers Palm Beach, Inc.

One South County Road

Palm Beach, Florida 33480

Dear Ms. Lewis:

I am delighted the Breakers is recruiting at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, offering

opportunities in the Management Trainee Program. The Breakers' premier reputation and international clientele

and staff provide the diverse hospitality experience that I am looking for.

My work experiences at four different hotel properties have exposed me to a variety of exciting situations. I most

enjoyed finding solutions for guests, identifying payroll errors, and finding revenue discrepancies of up to $5,000 per

day. I have been fortunate in my previous positions to develop team-building, interpersonal, and analytical skills.

This past summer, I gained team-building experiences at Pulehu, an upscale restaurant in Maui, Hawaii. As part of

the wait staff for 150 table-tops, I enjoyed building interpersonal relationships with guests. I also participated in part

of the company’s Management Training Program. At the Four Seasons, I worked with guests first hand as a front

desk agent. This enabled me to learn the vast aspects of the rooms division and learn specific skills on PBX,

reservations, and others—all to achieve a common goal of providing memorable experiences for guests.

In addition to my experience, I am acquiring skills regarding demand forecasting, booking curve analysis, and room

rate optimization. As a senior at the School of Hotel Administration, I am taking two master’s courses in revenue

management: yield management and restaurant revenue management. Through these courses, I am developing

analytical skills—personal assets I hope to continue to develop at the Breakers as a Management Trainee.

As you will see on my resume, my experiences and education will be an asset to the Breakers Palm Beach. I welcome

the opportunity to discuss my qualifications. If you have any questions, please contact me by phone at (607) xxx-xxxx

or by email at [email protected]. I look forward to speaking with you when you visit campus. Thank you for your

consideration.

Sincerely,

First Last

Career Management in the Office of Student Services

180 Statler Hall • (607) 255-6376 • Fax (607) 255-9540 • www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/students/careers/

Sample: Senior Cover Letter – Real Estate

First Last

1126 College Avenue, Apt. 99B

Ithaca, NY 14850

September xx, 20xx

Mr. John Lewis

Senior Analyst

Sunstone Hotel Investors

120 Vantis, Suite 350

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Dear Mr. Lewis:

As a senior at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, I have developed a passion for the real estate and

hospitality industries and a unique skill-set that has prepared me to succeed. The combination of my professional work,

diverse experiences, and strong desire to learn makes me an excellent candidate for the Financial Analyst position. I am

particularly interested in Sunstone Hotel Investors because of its renowned reputation as one of the most successful hotel

real estate advisory firms in the world. The skills I look forward to bringing to your company include:

Analytical Skills

• Spearheaded project to analyze 200 commercial real-estate properties and implemented solution to monitor, analyze

and report defects, resulting in savings of $1 million.

• Applied customized financial models for Hotel, Restaurant, and Financial Service companies.

• Performed advanced discounted cash flow analyses that examined the effects of altering the capital structure of real

estate transactions.

Communication Experience

• Presentation to the Fidelity management team resulted in implementation of a strategy for asset disposition and a

system for determining whether to lease or buy properties.

• Wrote a valuation report of the Statler Hotel that was nominated as a finalist for a School of Hotel Administration

writing award.

• Led a team of seven to ensure high levels of attendance at Hotel Ezra Cornell, a student-run conference for hospitality

industry leaders.

Quality Service

• Recognized, anticipated, and acted on the needs of guests as a server in the Banquets & Events department at the

Statler Hotel.

• Responded to requests in a timely fashion; provided accurate and consistent information as a rotational intern at ….x

• Earned the reputation of going above and beyond to service clients.

I look forward to further exploring this mutual opportunity, and I will contact you on September xx. You can reach me in

the meantime at either (607) xxx-xxxx or flxx@cornell.edu. Thank you.

Sincerely,

First Last

Enclosure