1. S A M P L E C O V E R L E TTE R S
The following cover letters are examples to provide you with
a basic format from which you can construct your own,
personalized letters. We strongly discourage you from lifting
any part of these letters verbatim because recruiters may
notice specific similarities among letters. The career
counselors in OCD are available to give you feedback on
your letters.
Office of Career Development
44-50 West 4th Street, Suite 5-100
New York, New York 10012
212-998-0623
www.stern.nyu.edu/ocd

2. SAMPLE COVER LETTER I
(Unsolicited)
Address/Phone Number
Date
Mr. Arthur C. Reese, President
Southwest Tooling Research Inc.
200 Mountain View Boulevard
Santa Fe, New Mexico 80801
Dear Mr. Reese:
I read with great interest a recent article in Engineering Today titled "Southwest Tooling's Push to
Maintain Engineering Excellence." The article talked of your plans to increase your Engineering Research
Lab Team. This emphasis in expansion appears to be a positive sign of Southwest's continuing dedication
to quality service. I am extremely intrigued by the team research concept you have developed. The
motivating force within a research team offers each member a sense of pride and accomplishment.
The enclosed resume demonstrates my extensive long-range commitment to tooling research. You will
also notice my experience working with the team research concept. I realize that you are looking for the
best possible people to staff your growing organization. I believe I can offer you and Southwest Tooling
substantial experience and the high degree of excellence you need.
I look forward to discussing your open position. I will call you during the early part of the week,
beginning July 1, to arrange a meeting and discuss my possible involvement with Southwest Tooling.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Two Questions To Keep in Mind:
The well-written cover letter puts all four major objectives to use stressing the writers strengths, and value
(tooling, research, and team experience) to the reader. The cover letter should answer two important
questions:
1. Why are you sending us your resume?
2. What value can you offer us?
The length remains within the recommended maximum of 200 words, and it closes with the promise to
follow up with a phone call. The tone is enthusiastic and informative, not wordy or overstated.

3. SAMPLE COVER LETTER II
(Unsolicited)
Address/Phone Number/E-mail
Date
Mr. Robert T. McPhall
Vice President of Marketing
Lencor Industries, Incorporated
2002 Island Harbor
Fort Myers, Florida 20114
Dear Mr. McPhall:
I recently reviewed an article you wrote in Sales Management, "Motivation Through
Marketing Excellence." The marketing philosophy at Lencor corresponds to what I have accomplished
on a smaller scale in my current assignment. As you will note from the enclosed resume, my sales and
marketing accomplishments, especially at Eastern General, favorably fit your "Marketplace Management"
concept. Because of my familiarity with your customer base and distribution network, I feel comfortable
with my potential contribution to your growing organization. My experience over the last three years of
increasing sales within my territory by 31 % demonstrates my ability to succeed.
I will be in Fort Myers during the third and fourth weeks of July. May we sit down and discuss
"Marketplace Management" and my strong interests in your sales group at that time? I will contact you
the first week in July to see if you are available to meet.
I appreciate your consideration, and I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Notice how this writer has focused on his value and how it relates to the employer's need.

4. REQUEST TO BE ON A CLOSED SCHEDULE
John Doe
124 Greene Street, Apt. 20
New York, NY 10003
(212) 555-1212
jd240@stern.nyu.edu
Date
Ms. Mary Jackson
Assistant Vice President
MBA Recruiting
ABC Securities Corporation
125 Wall Street
New York, NY 10004
Dear Ms. Jackson:
I am a graduating MBA student at New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business and I
would like to be considered for the Associate position on your closed invitation list when ABC
representatives visit the Stern School on (mention date).
My work experience and academic training has provided me with significant preparation for an
investment banking career at ABC Securities. As a Consultant for Glendale Burke & Associates, I was
involved in advising clients on the strategic implications of their e-commerce initiatives. During that
time, I analyzed specific needs and problems and developed analytically based solutions. This
experience, coupled with the coursework at Stern, has honed my financial analysis skills. I am confident
that I can contribute substantially to ABC’s investment banking efforts.
I look forward to the opportunity to interview for the Associate position. Thank you in advance for your
time and consideration.
Very truly yours,
John Doe

5. NETWORKING COVER LETTER
John Doe
124 Greene Street, Apt. 20
New York, NY 10003
(212) 555-1212
jd240@stern.nyu.edu
Date
Carol Brown
ABC Corporation
230 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10003
Dear Carol:
It was very good to see you last week in New York. I want to thank you for taking the time out of your
busy schedule to talk to me about the entertainment industry and the opportunities that exist as the
industry goes through a dramatic realignment. As an MBA student with an Entertainment, Media and
Technology track, I have been following closely the convergence of entertainment, the internet, and I am
very interested in applying my experience and education in this evolving industry.
I would appreciate your advice on getting into this sector and wondered if you could suggest possible
contacts in companies that are at the forefront of this convergence. In particular, I am interested in
offering my skills in business strategy and development to East Coast firms that are emerging leaders in
entertainment and telecommunications services. As my enclosed resume illustrates, I feel that I have a
great deal of experience and expertise to offer a prospective employer.
As a Consultant for Glendale, Burke and Associates, I gained experience in marketing analysis, strategic
planning and significant client interface. In addition to avidly following developments in the trade press,
my coursework at Stern has included e-commerce strategy, high-tech marketing, regulatory policy, and
marketing implementation.
I want to thank you in advance for any guidance you could give in regards to my career search and will
contact you shortly.
Sincerely,
John Doe

6. LETTER TO STERN ALUMNUS/ALUMNA
John Doe
11 Summer Street
New York, NY 10004
212 555 1212
jd200@stern.nyu.edu
Date
Mr. John Hamilton
General Manager
ABC Company
175 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
Dear Mr. Hamilton,
I am a graduating MBA student at New York University’s Stern School of Business and I obtained your
name from the Stern Alumni Directory. I am very interested in learning more about brand management
and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in order to benefit from your unique
insights into the field. My background is in consulting and I am especially interested in learning more
about the following topics:
§ The typical day of a brand manager at ABC Company
§ The projects and challenges a brand manager encounters
§ The impact of the internet on brand marketing and brand awareness
I will call you next week to determine a convenient time when we might meet. I have enclosed my
resume so you will have a sense of my background.
Sincerely,
John Doe

7. LETTER RESPONDING TO AN ADVERTISED POSITION
John Doe
124 Greene Street, Apt. 20
New York, NY 10003
(212) 555-1212
jd240@stern.nyu.edu
Date
Mr. Brian Davidson
Senior Vice President
ABC Corporation
2122 Pacific Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90278
Dear Mr. Davidson,
I noticed with keen interest your posting on the HotJobs web site for an assistant marketing manager.
Having worked both as an assistant program analyst and as an active participant in media production, I
believe that I have the experience and ability that this position requires.
I am currently an MBA student at New York University’s Stern School of Business. Prior to business
school, I was employed by the Office of Telecommunications Policy in Washington, D.C., where I was
responsible for the development of a consumer marketing survey. I was also a member of the team that
developed the CATV cash flow model, which is now in use at the agency.
My interest in the financial and creative aspects of entertainment and media is long standing. I have been
an enthusiastic student of the motion picture industry for quite some time. In the summer of 1996, I
interned at Cinemobile Systems, Inc., in Buena Vista, California. My participation in industry activities
introduced me to many professionals in the field who gave me both assistance and instruction. I believe
the contacts I made and what I learned can increase my value to your company.
I will be returning to Los Angeles during my winter break in January. I would be particularly interested
in visiting your offices between (dates). I will call you during the preceding week so you could suggest a
time we might meet. I can also be reached at 212-555-1212 or via email at jd201@stern.nyu.edu. I
appreciate your consideration, and look forward to meeting with you.
Sincerely,
John Doe

8. THANK YOU LETTER
Always follow-up any meeting with a letter thanking the individual for his/her time and
emphasizing your understanding of the meeting. This is an opportunity to market your skills,
talents, and desire for a particular position.
Address/Phone Number/E-mail
Date
Ms. Janet White
General Manager
ABC Company
1250 South Street
Winchester, NH 31305
Dear Ms. White:
Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to meet with me last Tuesday regarding my career
search. It certainly was a pleasure talking with you, and you helped me see areas of potential fit as
well as gain insight into the consulting industry.
Currently, I am in the process of contacting the individuals you suggested. Thank you for
recommending their names and allowing me to use you as a referral. I'll be sure to let you know how
these discussions develop.
The time and the assistance you have provided me has been most helpful. Please let me know if you
become aware of any opportunities that would be a good fit for me.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith