<p>Wasn't sure where else to go with this--I figure mom and dad know best, but since mine are on vacation, I'll borrow someone else's. I'm writing a cover letter for an internship I'm applying for, and right now it weighs in at a hefty 32 lines in Microsoft Word, size 12 font, not including addresses at the top or signature at the bottom. Should I take the word-whacker to this and trim it down? Is it too long for someone who just graduated high school and is just looking for something to do this fall when not in class? Thanks, all help is appreciated!</p>
<p>Edit: Also, should I include sats/sat 2s/APs on my resume, or just high school, hs gpa, college, and major? Sorry, it's been a while since I've done this!</p>
<p>Over a page is too long. I’ve worked in HR, and also have been involved in hiring high school and college students for jobs and internships.</p>
<p>The cover page should fill in details from your resume, preferably by using anecdotes, and also should explain what you have to offer the place you’re applying to. Use Google, personal contacts, to research the place you’re applying to so you know what they value, and consequently you can explain what you have to offer them.</p>
<p>And please, do not start your letter with “My name is.” Your name is at the bottom of the letter, so you don’t need to repeat it in the first line. Use that precious first line to say something that would hook the employer into wanting to find out who you are so the employer can hire you.</p>
<p>Example: “As president of Stevensville High School’s National Honor Society, I created and organized a fundraiser that raised $5,000 for charity.”</p>
<p>I’m applying for jobs at the moment at the advice I have recieved is that it should not be longer than a page and it should expand on details in your resume but not repeat them. Also keep it short and to the point otherwise it won’t get read!</p>
<p>Also, remember to keep it interesting right from the beginning. Most people will read the first few sentences and if they get bored will probably not bother with the rest of the letter. If you really get they’re attention then it can help make you stand out from the pile of applications on their desk.</p>
<p>Also try to use key words from the job posting itself. If it says “Experience with Microsoft Excel” in “skills required”, use the term “Microsoft Excel” in your letter. Some cover letters (as well as resumes) are “scrubbed” by computer programs which discard those that do not have the key words.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your responses! Just one more question: how do I phrase something without seeming arrogant? One of the things they cited as being important is writing talent–I’ve always been one of the best writers in my grade, but how do I say this without seeming pompous? Thanks again!</p>
<p>About your writing talent: Point out evidence that you have that talent. The evidence could be high SAT writing scores (give them the percentile since otherwise most employers won’t know how to interpret the scores), having published articles in your local or school newspaper, having won writing awards, having had straight As in AP English, been an editor at your student newspaper, etc. </p>
<p>One always should provide evidence when claiming a strength in an interview or cover letter. Otherwise, the reader doesn’t know whether to believe you.</p>
<p>Remember the primary intent of a cover letter is to hook the reader into wanting to know more - e.g. take action by reading the resume or contact you for an interview. I would think that no more that 50% of a page for the body of the letter as a guideline. Be sure and </p>
<p>1) end the letter with a proposed action for the reader ( I will be in your area and available for an interview next Wednesday)
2) include your contact details in the letter in case it is not attached to your resume.</p>
<p>A well written cover letter, of no more than one page in a font that is easy to read, is appropriate. Agreed with Mathmom, if it is well written, that give some evidence of your ability to write.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies, everyone! I’m just bumping this up because I have another question and didn’t think I should start a brand new thread. It asks for a writing sample of no more than three pages in length. Should I take this from an academic paper I’ve written? And should I keep it to just 1 page to err on the side of brevity? Thanks again!</p>