Sample Cover Letters for a Career Office Job Posting

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Updated on 10/17/21

Employers who actively recruit college graduates often post jobs directly with the career services or alumni office as part of the organization's university recruiting program.

When you apply for those jobs, it’s important to mention in your cover letter that you were referred by career services. Your application should get close attention because the employer is expecting to receive applications from candidates from your school.

Learn how to write a cover letter for a career office job posting, what to include in your message, and how to send it. Your efforts will help ensure that your application gets to the right people and makes a good impression.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

Your letter should include:

How you learned about the opportunity
Why you are qualified
What you can offer the company
How you will follow up

Be sure to mention where you saw the job posting in your first paragraph, so that the recruiter or hiring manager knows that you’re applying through your college. Remember that hiring teams are busy; if you bury the information in the second or third paragraph, they may miss it.

Review sample entry-level cover letters for a college student or graduate to apply for jobs posted through a career office. These examples will show you how to compose your own message.

If you need help drafting a letter or would like a resume review, check with the staff in the career office to see if they can assist.

Sample Career Office Referral Cover Letter #11

Clarissa Ng
Center City College
24 College Ave, Apt 4B
Center City, Iowa 52240
clarrisa.ng@centercitycollege.edu
319-555-3343

February 15, 2022

Nathaniel Cruz
Manager
The Children’s House
300 Main St., Ste 200
Center City, Iowa 52240

Dear Mr. Cruz:

Please accept my application for the counselor position you posted through the Center City College Career Services Office.

With my background in psychology and a strong interest in art, I am confident that I would make a very successful role model for the children in your program. Last summer, I worked for the Children's Museum where I worked with children in the creative process as they created paintings and sculptures. I also completed an internship at the Brown School, where I worked closely with the Art Teacher in implementing class projects.

I would welcome the opportunity to make a similar contribution to the Children’s House. I find working with children to enhance their growth and development through creative activities very rewarding.

I would appreciate meeting with you for further consideration, after you review my enclosed resume.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Clarissa Ng

Sample Career Office Referral Cover Letter #2

James Lee
37 High Street, Apt. 2
Valley View, Nevada 89431
775-555-8743
James.Lee@email.com

April 3, 2022

Ann Cohen
Director
First Financial Services
Los Angeles, California 90402

Dear Ms. Cohen:

My proven track record of successfully performing complex analyses on various corporations makes me an ideal candidate for the analyst opportunity that you listed through the Valley View College Career Services Office.

You specify that you are looking for someone with leadership, quantitative, analytical, and communication skills. Last summer, I was given the opportunity to intern at First Real Estate Corporation. I worked within the Real Estate Finance Group, and assisted staff with problems arising from the misinterpretation of leases to miscalculation of rent schedules. As a result, I played an active role within the group and helped them to solve these issues. This process involved using the quantitative and analytical skills that I acquired through actively participating in coursework for my Business-Economics major.

My ability to work well as part of the team is also related to my success within this group. These attributes, combined with my enthusiasm to learn, were essential to my contributions and success during this internship.

I believe that I can apply the same skills within my internship last summer to a position within your company. I look forward to discussing the position with you in more detail. I will call next week to see if you agree that my qualifications seem to be a match for the position. If so, I hope to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

James Lee

How to Send Email Application

When you are sending your cover letter via email, include your name and the job title in the subject line of your message:

Subject: James Lee—Analyst Position

List your contact information in your email signature, rather than in the body of the letter:

Sincerely,

James Lee
775-555-8743
James.Lee@email.com