Office of Career Development | Rollins School of Public Health
Part I – The Introduction
The first section of your cover letter should address why you are writing and it may also address who you are, including why
you are good candidate for the position.
If a contact name is provided in the job description, use it in your introduction. If you would like to do some research on the
organization and you can find the name of a contact who is the head of the department in which the position is located, use
that name. Whenever possible, always address the person formally by their last name (i.e. “Dear Dr. Jones” or “Dear Mr.
Jennings”). If a name cannot be obtained, then “Dear Recruiter” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
Be sure to identify exactly what position you are applying for, as there may be several available within an organization, using
a requisition or job number when one exists. It’s also a good idea to state where you learned about the position, such as a
website or listserv.
If you were referred by someone you know within the organization or who knows the individual to whom you are writing, this is
a strong addition to your cover letter and should come in the first sentence (i.e. “I was referred to you by John Smith regarding
the Project Coordinator position”). Current employees are among the best sources of referrals. Many firms report that 40-50%
of their openings are filled by candidates referred to by staff members. Moreover, companies view such candidates more
favorably than those brought in through other methods, because they already know something about the organization and
have a personal connection with it.
In your opening paragraph, give a brief synopsis of your background (i.e. degree and area(s) of experience).
Summary Recommendations for your Opening Paragraph
✓ Use an appropriate greeting in the salutation, such as “Dear,” and use contact name if provided or if you can obtain it.
✓ Use the professional title (Mr., Ms., or Dr… never Mrs.) followed by last name – do not include the first name here.
✓ If no name is provided, you can use (Dear Hiring Director)
✓ Use professional language, you are being judged on your writing abilities as well.
✓ Be specific – name the position and organization
✓ Reference position number (if provided) and on what site you found the job posting.
✓ Provide brief description of who you and state why you are a good candidate for position.
Sections Of A Cover Letter
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Good Example
Dear Ms. Smith,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Research Assistant position (Requisition
#10209) currently open in the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advertised through LinkedIn. My previous research
experience in obesity and nutrition coupled with my current Master of Public Health degree
in Epidemiology make me an ideal candidate for the position.