Drafted December 2025
A cover letter is an opportunity to be more personal and expand on the bullet points in your resume by describing how you did your work and the impact of your experiences. Submitting a cover letter is optional unless specifically requested. Write one to serve as a flexible template, but remember it should always be tailored to each organization and position:
Open with your enthusiasm for the position, name the role in full and note what motivated you to apply; alignment with the organization’s mission, interest in the communities it serves, relevant projects, or a professional connection. The purpose here is to establish your interest before presenting your experience and skills in greater detail.
Expand on key resume bullet points; turn them into examples that describe where the experience took place, your responsibilities, and how the work was carried out. Highlight direct and transferable skills you have through specific examples; communication, problem-solving, technical tools, teamwork, or advocacy. Use language from the job description to demonstrate how you are a good candidate.
Conclude by thanking them for their time and consideration. Express your interest in the opportunity to interview for the position. End with a formal closing, including your full name.
This document is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact the Center for Accessibility Resources at accessibility.resources@metrostate.edu or 651.793.1549.
(123)456-7890 | antonia.pantoja@gmail.com
July 1, 2024
Allina Health
2925 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Dear Hiring Committee,
I am writing to express my enthusiasm for the Social Worker position at Allina Health. With my background in social work and hands-on experience in case management, healthcare support, and bilingual communication, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.
As an international student, I have had the unique opportunity to work with diverse communities, which has expanded my cultural awareness and adaptability, qualities I believe are essential for delivering patient-centered care in a multicultural environment. During my time as a Case Management Intern at Daily Work, I managed a caseload of 6-10 clients, utilizing strong interpersonal communication skills to provide support and guidance throughout their employment journey. This role strengthened my ability to develop individualized action plans and collaborate effectively with a diverse team. Additionally, my participation in the Overcoming Racism Conference provided me with valuable insights into addressing systemic issues and advocating for social justice, which I believe aligns well with Allina Health's commitment to patient-centered care.
In my role as an Intern at Mano a Mano, I coordinated volunteer recruitment, organized events, and provided essential translation services. This experience improved my technical writing skills and ability to promote cross-cultural communication, a critical advantage for the diverse patient population served by Allina Health. Also, my current position as a Personal Care Assistant at Minn Care Home Health has provided me with direct healthcare experience. I’ve gained a solid understanding of patient needs through daily progress reports and reinforced positive client behaviors to ensure their safety and well-being. This role has further prepared me to deliver the high-quality psychosocial support required in a hospital setting.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with the needs of your team. Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to contribute to Allina Health and support your mission of delivering compassionate and comprehensive care.
Sincerely,
Antonia Pantoja
(612) 729-1999 | jtchavez@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/j.chavez
September 30, 2022
U.S. Bank
Saint Paul, MN
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Custody Operations Specialist position at U.S. Bank. I recently had the opportunity to connect with Desiree Snow at the Diversity Networking and Job Fair, where I learned more about this role and U.S. Bank’s commitment to empowering customers and communities. Combining hands-on experience in data management and customer service with a strong academic foundation, I am eager to contribute to your team and support U.S. Bank’s mission.
My academic background and internship experience have equipped me with a solid foundation in financial principles and data analysis. During my time as a Marketing and Communications Intern with the State of Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources, I conducted statistical analysis to derive actionable insights from customer feedback and utilized various analytics tools such as Google Analytics and Salesforce. This experience has strengthened my ability to manage data effectively and generate insightful reports, which aligns well with the responsibilities of document review and report generation for the role.
In addition to my technical skills, my role as a Service Cashier at Maplewood Toyota provided me with extensive experience in client support and account maintenance. I managed payment collections, handled customer inquiries, and ensured seamless communication between departments, all of which developed my ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast pace environment. My strong interpersonal skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications further support my capability to deliver effective customer relations and handle various operational tasks.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my skills and experiences can contribute to the continued success of U.S. Bank.
Sincerely,
Julia Chavez
(612) 123-4567 | faduma.hassan@my.metrostate.edu | www.linkedin.com/in/fhassan/
Date
Company Name
Company Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Hiring Committee,
I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Intern position at [Company Name]. With a strong academic background in marketing principles and hands-on experience in customer service, I am eager to apply my skills and contribute to your organization's success.
During my academics, I led the True Friends Marketing Campaign as part of my Marketing Principles course. This project allowed me to develop and implement strategic marketing initiatives aimed at enhancing organizational visibility and community engagement. Utilizing Adobe Illustrator, I designed captivating promotional materials for community events, effectively raising awareness and participation. Additionally, I created a social media marketing campaign, employing a variety of marketing strategies to amplify our outreach and foster community connections.
My employment history further demonstrates my commitment to delivering exceptional service. As a Team Member at Target, I strengthened my ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a customer-centric approach. I also took on a leadership role by training team members, utilizing coaching techniques to enhance their skills and uphold company standards. Similarly, my experience as a Server at Applebee’s equipped me with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, enabling me to navigate challenging situations with efficiency.
Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to [Company Name] and look forward to the possibility of discussing how my experiences align with your internship program.
Sincerely,
Faduma Hassan
(612) 729-1999 • j.johnston@outlook.com • https://github.com/j-johnston
August 30, 2024
SPS Commerce
333 S 7th Street, Unit 1000
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Hiring Team,
I am excited to apply for the Technology Internship with SPS Commerce. As a Computer Science student with hands-on experience in IT support, software development, and problem-solving, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team. Below are the key reasons why I believe I would be an excellent fit for this opportunity:
Strong Technical Background:
Relevant Academic Experience:
Practical IT Help Desk Experience:
Adaptability and Problem-Solving:
Team Collaboration:
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to your team and to learn from the innovative professionals at SPS Commerce.
Sincerely,
James Johnston
Once you’ve scheduled an interview, notify your references and provide them with an updated resume, a description of the role, and any specific skills or qualifications you’d like them to highlight if contacted. The more they know about the skills and experience you want to highlight, the better they can support you.
Include the name, job title, company, phone number, email, and your relationship to the reference. Including work addresses is optional.
(123) 456-7890 | antonia.pantoja@gmail.com
REFERENCES
Lila Thorne, Clinical Supervisor
(123) 456-7890
lila.thorne@dailywork.org
Daily Work
105 University Avenue West
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55103
Jaxon Calloway, Site Supervisor
(123) 456-7891
jaxon.calloway@ manoamano.org
Mano a Mano
925 Pierce Butler Rte
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Eliza Winterfield, Associate Professor and Field Director
(123) 456-7892
eliza.winterfield@metrostate.edu
Metropolitan State University
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106