COVER LETTER WRITING GUIDE
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STRUCTURE
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1. HEADER
   - Your contact information
   - Date
   - Employer's contact information

2. GREETING
   - Use "Dear [Hiring Manager Name]" if known
   - Use "Dear Hiring Manager" if name is unknown
   - Avoid "To Whom It May Concern"

3. OPENING PARAGRAPH (1-2 sentences)
   - State the position you're applying for
   - Mention where you found the job posting
   - Include a hook that grabs attention

4. BODY PARAGRAPHS (2-3 paragraphs)
   - Paragraph 1: Why you're interested in the company
   - Paragraph 2: Your relevant experience and skills
   - Paragraph 3: How you can contribute to their team

5. CLOSING PARAGRAPH (1-2 sentences)
   - Reiterate your interest
   - Mention your resume/portfolio
   - Express enthusiasm for next steps

6. SIGNATURE
   - Professional closing (Sincerely, Best regards)
   - Your name
   - Your contact information

TIPS
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• Keep it to one page
• Match the tone of the company
• Use specific examples
• Proofread carefully
• Customize for each application
• Show, don't tell

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
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✗ Repeating your resume verbatim
✗ Using generic templates without customization
✗ Focusing only on what you want
✗ Typos and grammatical errors
✗ Being too formal or too casual
✗ Exceeding one page