Radiologic Technology: Cover Letter Basics

The cover letter, or letter of application, always accompanies a resume that is mailed. A cover letter may or may not be required for an online posting, so adhere to application guidelines. A cover letter is NOT needed when handing your resume directly to an employer. In general, although a cover letter may not be formally requested, an assumption should be made that it is required.

General Guidelines

• Your letter must be free of errors and grammatically correct. Do not over use the word “I”.

• If the employer asks you to include salary requirements in the letter, always state your requirements in a range, and that you are open to negotiation.

• Customize your letter to each organization and match your skills, experience, and personality traits to the position.

• Read your letter out loud to ensure that your ideas flow and to catch any awkward sentences or overuse of words or phrases.

• Use a business letter format with left-justified margins, and center the letter vertically on the page.

• The letter should be no more than one page in length and printed on the same paper as your resume.

• For electronic transmission of your letter, employers often prefer certain formats. One of the easiest and most reliable methods is to convert your cover letter to a PDF through Adobe Acrobat Writer.

Source: KSU's Career Services Website