College Student Cover Letter Sample Writing Guide [+ Tips]

College Student Cover Letter Sample Writing Guide [+ Tips] Wherever you are in your college journey, job hunting numbers are scary.Have you recently thrown your graduate cap in the air?According to the National Centre for Education Statistics, youre one of four million graduates from this academic year alone.Still studying? Youre one of 20 million students.How will you stand out from the crowd, get an interview and land a job? Whether youre starting your career or seeking your first ever position in paid work the answer is the same.With a pristine college student cover letter.This guide will show you:A professional cover letter example for college students better than 9 out of 10 others.College student cover letter templates that show off your strengths and skills.A detailed guide on how to write a cover letter as a college student thatll work with your resume to get you an interview and land you a job.This sample cover letter for college students could graduate summa cum laude:College Student Cover Letter SampleJim Munson1839 Murray AvePitt sburgh, PA 15217(412) 522-6163jimunson99@gmail.com10/09/2019Carrie ConnorsHead of ResearchProsthenics3703 Forbes AvePittsburgh, PA, 15213Dear Carrie,As a recent graduate of Penn State with a B.S. in Chemistry majoring in biochemistry, Im applying for the position of clinical research associate with Prosthenics. I developed a particular passion for the interaction of electrodes with biological tissue and clinical research skills which I am confident can contribute to Prosthenics increasing focus on neuroprosthetics. I believe I can help with implementing cutting edge prosthetic solutions as a clinical research associate whilst continuing to expand my knowledge in the field. Working with you would be an incredible first step in my research career, as in my opinion youre the gold standard in this profession.In addition to my required course work, I volunteered as a lab assistant in my universitys biochemistry research facility where I had the privilege to work with leading lights in th e field of bionics. I worked on a broad range of research projects such as creating a bionic hand electrode that improved nerve signal efficiency by 50%.This opportunity excites me more than I can say. Your reputation in the field of bionics is unequalled and the developments led by your team are consistently world first. Your dedication to improving the lives of people who use prosthetics is incredible and perfectly reflects my own passion for this field of research.Could we arrange a call to discuss how my experience working with biosignal sensors could contribute to your goal of continually optimizing performance in prosthetics?Best Regards,Jim MunsonP.S. Id also love to discuss how I consolidated three legacy databases into a single system and reduced data entry time for senior researchers by 50%.Want to write your cover letter fast?Use our cover letter builder. Choose from20+ professional cover letter templatesthat match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.College Student Cover Letter for a ResumeSee more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowYoull need a best in class resume to go with your college student cover letter. See our guide: College Student ResumeWant to learn more about why you need a cover letter? Check out our blog post: Are Cover Letters Necessary in 2019?Now lets get that college student cover letter written.1Use the Best College Student Cover Letter TemplatesYour first lesson of cover letter writing 101?Structure matters.Ace it with a clean, ordered template thatll get hiring managers excited to read your cover letter.Bonus. Get this right and youve nailed the biggest single factor employers are focussing on for graduate candidates, whatever the career sector. What is it?82% of employers in 2019 are looking for solid wri ting skills. Write your letter well and youve got that covered before they even look at your resume. Heres a template you can use:Sample Cover Letter for a College StudentStructure ChecklistYour contact info in a sharp headerThe companys contact infoDear (hiring managers name)Paragraph #1: introduction and an achievement thats tailored to the jobParagraph #2: key skills and why you fit the jobParagraph #3: your passion + why you want inParagraph #4: your call to action (CTA)Best regards + your namePS: add valueIts that simple.But before you start writing make sure you get your formatting right. If you want your letter to be read its got to be easy on the eye.Cover Letter Sample for College StudentFormatting BasicsOne-inch margins on all sides. White space improves readability.Left-align your letter, its easier to read. Dont use justification, its against the standard rules of business letter formatting.Speaking of business letter format, use the correct spacing: 1 or 1.15.Double spa ce between paragraphs. More white space to frame your content.For a professional flourish, use a digital copy of your handwritten signature in your sign-off (optional).Save in PDF format. Its the best cover letter file format because it keeps the layout intact. Keep a copy in another format though because some employers wont accept PDF.For more advice on cover letter formatting check out our guide: Cover Letter Format: Complete Guide to Cover Letter LayoutDont know how to find out the hiring managers name? See our guide: How to Address a Cover Letter2Get the Basics Right With the Correct Header and SalutationYoull see many cover letter templates for many a career. To get an interview for the position you want the rule is the same for all of them. Follow professional letter layout rules. Its an easy win that many students forget about. The first thing youll be writing is the header, thats the part with the contact details. Always include:Your name.Your address.Your phone number.Your email addressline break.Date.Name of person youre sending it to.Their title/position.Their address.Heres an example.College Student Cover LetterHeader TemplateJim Munson1839 Murray AvePittsburgh, PA 15217(412) 522-6163jimunson99@gmail.com10/09/2019Carrie ConnorsHead of ResearchProsthenics3703 Forbes AvePittsburgh, PA, 15213College Student Cover LetterSalutationSalutation is just a fancy word for the little part of your letter that says Dear (hiring managers name). Its a formal piece of writing so always kick off with Dear and never anything casual like Hi. Thats fine for a casual email not when applying for jobs.Also, weve mentioned using the hiring managers name. This is a great trick because it actually activates your brain in a powerful way. But what if you really cant find a name?We recommend you use Dear Hiring Manager. Or even better name the department or team youre applying to, as in Dear Sales Associate Hiring Manager. You dont know the name but youve personalized it just e nough to catch their attention.Lastly, if you want an interview then dont start with To Whom It May Concern. Its too old-fashioned, a hiring manager sees that and their first thought will be OK Boomer.See more examples of how to format your cover letter heading: Cover Letter Heading: Format 4+ Header ExamplesSo thats the end of the beginning, onto the good stuff.3Start Your College Student Cover Letter RightYouve got to start strong. Grab their attention and keep it with a killer opening paragraph.But dont just show off.Think. What do you have to offer the employer? The job advertisement was posted with specific business goals and challenges in mind.Be the one wholl help meet those goals and solve those challenges.So read the job description and use it to tailor your intro to the job.Theres a lot of ways of crafting your opening paragraph. Let's look at some of the best for a sample cover letter for college students.Show off an Accomplishment or Your Impressive BackgroundSure, this is tough when youre a college student with limited experience. But you have achievements that are relevant to the job youre applying for.This is a good tactic for recent graduates. Highlight your academic achievements and extracurricular activities to show youre a well-rounded candidate.College Student Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]rightAs a recent graduate of Penn State with a B.S. in Chemistry majoring in biochemistry, Im applying for the position of clinical research associate with Prosthenics. I developed a particular passion for the interaction of electrodes with biological tissue and clinical research skills which I am confident can contribute to Prosthenics increasing focus on neuroprosthetics. I believe I can help with implementing cutting edge prosthetic solutions as a clinical research associate whilst continuing to expand my knowledge in the field. Working with you would be an incredible first step in my research career, as in my opinion youre the gold standard in this field.wrongIm a Penn State graduate with a B.S. in chemistry seeking to pursue a career in clinical research. I majored in biochemistry and I achieved an excellent GPA. Id love the opportunity to work for a prestigious company like Prosthenics.Why does the first college student cover letter example work? Theres knowledge and skills that are specific to the company and the job. Clearly, the writer has done their research about the company's goals.The second sample. It shows what youve done but there are no numbers or achievements to back it up.Worse, there are no skills and no focus on the role being applied for.Its too generic for hiring managers who see 250 applications for each job opening.This might not work so well if you havent graduated or havent got impressive achievements and numbers to highlight.Pro Tip: Dont mention your GPA unless its 3.5 or higher. Dont be tempted to lie, better to leave it out entirely and think of other achievements to mention.Heres another tac tic.Show Excitement, Enthusiasm and PassionThis job has got you as excited as a cheerleader at the end of an undefeated football season. Show that passion and wow the hiring manager with your sheer enthusiasm.Sure, if youre still studying, chances are youve not got any paid experience. Dont just give it the old college try though. Even without experience you can still write a professional cover letter.College Student Cover Letters With No ExperienceIntroductionrightIve been looking for part-time work while I pursue a Fine Arts Degree at CUNY Brooklyn and nothing has excited me until I sawyouradvertisement for a barista. I am a passionate advocate for fair trade in all areas of commerce, so I am incredibly impressed by your commitment to 100% ethical sourcing. Ive seen reviews of Mikes Beans and I can see you regularly serve the God shot to your dedicated customer base. Even better, I live just a quarter-mile away. I am a passionate home coffee enthusiast with experience of using an espresso machine and it would be amazing to join the team at an establishment with a reputation as great as yours.Nice. That positively screams passion. It shows youve done your research about the business too. You can bet that Mike will read your resume.wrongId absolutely love to work at Mikes Beans. Im the biggest fan of your coffee and I drink it almost every day. Its that good. Your environmentally friendly approach to coffee? Thats incredible too. I think environmental issues are super important and its amazing to see youre doing your bit. Im seeking part-time employment while I study fine arts at CUNY Brooklyn and I would be delighted to be your hipster barista.Eager, but a little cringe-worthy. It lacks professionalism and doesnt offer any noticeable skills.Just be aware this approach wont work for more formal college student jobs. Great for a barista, not so good for a graduate job with BCG.These arent the only ways of writing an opening paragraph. Here are some more example s of ways to start a cover letter.Name-drop by mentioning you know someone internal.Show knowledge of the companys news or current events.Specifically target the hiring manager.Create a belief statement.Whatever you do, make it compelling and make it specific to the job youre applying for.Discover more cover letter openings in our guide: How to Start a Cover LetterSo what's next?4Write an Incredible College Student Cover Letter Middle ParagraphNow weve come to the meat in the sandwich. Dont get the hiring manager excited with a stunning opener then disappoint with lackluster middle.Keep their attention. Heres how.First, you need a paragraph where you outline your relevant experience and achievements.Then follow it with a paragraph where you show your motivation and explain why you want this particular job.Heres an example for the science graduate we talked about earlier.Cover Letter Examples for a College StudentMiddle ParagraphrightIn addition to my required course work, I voluntee red as a lab assistant in my universitys biochemistry research facility where I had the privilege to work with leading lights in the field of bionics. I worked on a broad range of research projects such as creating a bionic hand electrode that improved nerve signal efficiency by 50%.This opportunity excites me more than I can say. Your reputation in the field of bionics is unequaled and the developments led by your team are consistently world first. Your dedication to improving the lives of people who use prosthetics is incredible and perfectly reflects my own passion for this field of research.This one is hitting all the right notes.Write a middle paragraph like that and your foot is already in the door.Write one like this though and the door stays shut.wrongI want to work in bionics because Ive always been fascinated by this application of biochemistry. Im excited by the opportunities it presents to make a real difference to people living with disabilities. I want to pursue a care er in biochemistry that will achieve tangible results for society and working for prosthenics would be the perfect opportunity to do that.Yes, its eager and passionate. But theres no substance, no evidence and no proof of understanding the requirements of the job.How about our bold barista?College Student Cover Letter ExamplesBodyrightApart from being an enthusiastic amateur barista, Ive also undertaken formal training. I completed a latte art course at Abbotsford Road Coffee Specialists. My foam art is on point and Im particularly proud of my latte cat design, which was highly commended at a local latte art competition.Im very excited about the opportunity to join the team at Mikes Coffee. Your establishment prides itself on creating bespoke coffees for its clientele and Id love to leverage my skills to help you keep delivering amazing brews.Now thats a god shot.wrongI love barista work because Im a people person. Nothing pleases me more than putting a smile on a customers face. I get so much happiness from giving someone the perfect orange mocha frappuccino! Nothing compares to it.Thats way too eager. Youve convinced Mike that you love coffee but it offers precious little else.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.Regardless of the position you are applying for, make sure your college student cover letter doesnt get too long. Check out our guide: Cover Letter Length: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?5Close Your College Student Cover Letter With a Call to ActionYour cover letter is near perfect, so why arent you getting invited to interviews?Could it be that you didnt ask?But dont just write, Please interview me. Give the hiring manager that little something extra.College Student Cover Letter SamplesCTAsrightCould we arra nge a call to discuss how my experience working with biosignal sensors could contribute to your goal of continually optimizing performance in prosthetics?Best Regards,Jim MunsonP.S. Id also love to discuss how I consolidated three legacy databases into a single system and reduced data entry time for senior researchers by 50%.Nice. Youve finished off with yet another example of how you meet the hiring managers requirements. Theres also additional juicy achievements.wrongThank you for taking the time to review my application. Please see attached my resume and I look forward to meeting with you to discuss why Id be the perfect candidate.This doesnt work. Its dull, old-fashioned, and doesnt offer anything in return. Itll go down about as well as Donald Trump running for Student Body President.Pro Tip:See the P.S. in the first example? Thats cover letter dynamite. Its as attention-grabbing as free beer during freshman orientation. Use it to add another great achievement and get the hirin g manager sold on your application.Don't forget to use the right formal closing, too. Sincerely works fine, but there are alternatives.Heres five of the best formal closings.College Student Cover Letter Closing SalutationsThank you,Best regards,Kind regards,Sincerely,With best regards,Cant think of a great offer to finish your college student cover letter? Using enthusiasm and eagerness can work too. Read our guide: How to End a Cover LetterLooking for more tips for recent graduates? Check out our guide: Recent Graduate Cover Letter ExampleKey TakeawaysHeres how to write the perfect cover letter for a college student:Follow the right format. It makes your letter more readable and helps to nail the employers need for written communication skills.Start with a big achievement or energetic eagerness. But dont make it all about you. Be relevant to the hiring managers needs.Prove your worth in the college student cover letter middle. Show off your achievements and experience, always stayi ng relevant. Then explain why you want this jobFinish with a CTA. Ask the question and offer something in return. Get your resume read and get that interview.Put in a P.S. as the icing on the cake.Need more advice? Struggling to write a cover letter for a college student with no experience? Ask away in the comments section. Were here to help.