• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Department of Religion
College of Arts & Sciences
  • Welcome
    • Calendar of Events
    • Contact Information
    • Currents Podcasts
    • Diversity
    • News
    • Pro Futuris
    • Tidwell Bible Building
      • Renovation Story
      • Reverend Robert L. Gilbert
  • Our Faculty
    • Books by Our Faculty
    • Open Faculty Positions
    • Retired Faculty
      • Books by Our Retired Faculty
  • Undergraduate
    • What Can I Do With a Religion Major?
    • The Religion Major / Minor
    • REL 1310 and 1350 for Religion Majors
    • Outstanding Student Awards
    • Study Abroad Opportunities
    • Exam Schedule
  • Graduate
    • Prospective Students
      • About Us
      • The Program and the Curriculum
      • Admissions Process
      • Baylor Benefits
      • Graduate Theological Fellowship
    • Current Students
      • Registration
      • Graduate Resources
      • Travel Funds
      • Advanced Standing Qualification
      • Dissertation
  • Ministry Guidance
    • Religion Courses of Particular Interest to Ministry Students
    • Program Elements
    • Ministry Placement
      • Preparing a Resume
      • Preparing a Cover Letter
      • Christian Camps
      • Mission Connections
    • Scholarships
      • Baylor Ministry Scholarship
      • BGCT Ministry Scholarship
      • Hubler Endowed Scholarship
      • Vocational Ministry FAQ
    • Seminary Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities
    • Events Sponsored by Ministry Guidance
      • Coffee Hour/ Lunch and Learn
      • Ministry Guidance Conference
      • Seminary Day
  • Featured Giving
    • Basden Family Ministry Guidance Endowed Scholarship
    • Graduate Student Research/Travel Fund
    • James Melvin Washington Research Grant in Black Baptist History
  • Affiliated Programs
    • Baptist Studies Center for Research
      • Contact Us
      • Our Purpose
      • Scholarly Network in Baptist Studies
      • Baptist Scholars International Roundtable (BSIR)
      • Resources
      • The James Melvin Washington Research Grant in Black Baptist History
    • J.M Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies
    • Perspectives in Religious Studies
      • Contact Information
      • PRSt Index
      • Submit a Manuscript
      • Subscribe to NABPR
  • Lectures
    • Lectures Sponsored by the Department
    • BSIR Lectures
    • Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series
  • Apply Now
  • Make a Gift
Baylor BU Department of Religion Ministry Guidance Ministry Placement Preparing a Cover Letter
  • Religion Courses of Particular Interest to Ministry Students
  • Program Elements
  • Ministry Placement
    • Preparing a Resume
    • Preparing a Cover Letter
    • Christian Camps
    • Mission Connections
  • Scholarships
  • Seminary Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities
  • Events Sponsored by Ministry Guidance

Preparing a Cover Letter

The purpose of the cover letter is to introduce you to a prospective employer or search committee and to explain why you are particularly suited for the position. The cover letter also gives you an opportunity to make connections, reveal some of your personality, and add explanatory notes or elaborations to your resume. The following specific guidelines have been excerpted from John Cunningham's book, The Inside Scoop:

1. Do not make your cover letter more than one page. If you are concise and to the point, this should not pose a problem. Longer is not better when it comes to cover letters. Remember, you are not the only person sending a cover letter for the recruiter to read. You may have taken essay tests in college where you figured the more you wrote, the more likely you were going to actually say something of value. That strategy does not work with recruiters when it comes to cover letters.

2. Sell yourself to the job description. The job description will normally include a list of the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) the person applying for the position must possess. Provide examples and illustrations (unique from anything on your resume) from your past when you have demonstrated those KSA's. Use action verbs like you did in your resume.

3. Proofread very carefully for typographical, grammatical and spelling errors. One little error could go a long way in showing the recruiter your attention to detail is lacking. Have someone else proofread it too, since it is often difficult for you to find your own errors.

4. Do not just regurgitate information that is on your resume. This is your chance to expand on what you feel (and hopefully what the recruiter will feel) is most important. You can expand on areas listed on your resume, but do not simply repeat. For example, if you listed relevant coursework on your resume, discuss in your cover letter projects or presentations that were a part of the class that would demonstrate relevant KSA's.

5. Try and address each cover letter to the specific person who will be reading it. If you do not know the specific person's name, give the company a call and try to find out. This phone call also gives you the chance to get your name into the minds of members of the organization. Make sure you are professional, polite and considerate no matter with whom you talk. Even if the person you speak with has little direct decision making power in you landing a job, he or she may have a lot of influence with the people who do. Do not use "To Whom it May Concern" at the beginning of a cover letter because chances are good it will end up not concerning anyone if you do write that.

6. Focus on what you can do for the company, not what the company can do for you. You can mention the benefits you will gain from them, especially if you are interested in an internship, however, the focus on the letter should be what you can do for them. It is a good idea to discuss facts about the company you learned through your research that were impressive (a smart way of patting the company on the back).

7. Send an original and creative cover letter with each resume. Do not try to create a universal cover letter.

8. Be enthusiastic about yourself, the position, and organization to which you are applying.

9. Be confident. You can demonstrate confidence in your writing style. Do not write statements like "I feel I would be an excellent addition to XYZ company." It sounds like you are trying to defend yourself. Instead write, "I would be an excellent addition to XYZ company."

10. If you mention in the closing paragraph that you will contact the recruiter, do not forget to do that. I doubt you will. If you wait five to seven days, that should be plenty of time for the recruiter to have received and reviewed your application materials. It does not hurt to take the initiative and be aggressive.

Important Factors when Writing Cover Letters
  • Concise and to the Point
  • One Page
  • Sell yourself to the job description
  • No spelling or grammar errors
  • Include information unique from the resume
  • Include the position for which the student is applying
  • Sound enthusiastic
  • Personalize to a specific person in the company
  • Provide examples of relevant skills
  • Well organized
  • Interesting
  • Honest (no fluff)
  • Creative
  • Includes signature
  • Mentions connection, if relevant
  • Positive
  • State what you can do for the organization
  • Not too cute (they are referring to the wording, not you)
  • Include phone number

Department of Religion

College of Arts & Sciences

Tidwell Bible Building
575 James Avenue
Waco, TX 76706

One Bear Place #97284
Waco, TX 76798-7284

Religion_Department@baylor.edu
(254) 710-3735
Baylor BU Department of Religion Ministry Guidance Ministry Placement Preparing a Cover Letter
  • Welcome
    Back
    • Calendar of Events
    • Contact Information
    • Currents Podcasts
    • Diversity
    • News
    • Pro Futuris
    • Tidwell Bible Building
      Back
      • Renovation Story
      • Reverend Robert L. Gilbert
  • Our Faculty
    Back
    • Books by Our Faculty
    • Open Faculty Positions
    • Retired Faculty
      Back
      • Books by Our Retired Faculty
  • Undergraduate
    Back
    • What Can I Do With a Religion Major?
    • The Religion Major / Minor
    • REL 1310 and 1350 for Religion Majors
    • Outstanding Student Awards
    • Study Abroad Opportunities
    • Exam Schedule
  • Graduate
    Back
    • Prospective Students
      Back
      • About Us
        Back
        • Faculty Profiles and Area Descriptions
          Back
          • Old Testament Faculty
          • New Testament Faculty
          • Historical Studies Faculty
          • Theological/Bioethical Studies Faculty
        • Religion Department Facebook Page
        • Graduation and Placement
        • Life at Baylor/Waco
      • The Program and the Curriculum
        Back
        • Description of PhD Program
        • Description of MA Program
        • List of all Graduate Courses Offered by the Religion Department
        • Schedule of Classes
      • Admissions Process
        Back
        • Financial Aid & Summer Stipends
        • Tips for Applying
        • Application link
        • Graduate School's Website
        • Graduate School's catalog website
      • Baylor Benefits
        Back
        • Travel Awards
        • Summer stipend
        • Insurance benefit
        • Parental Leave
        • Research resources
      • Graduate Theological Fellowship
    • Current Students
      Back
      • Registration
        Back
        • Registration for current students
        • Registration for new students
        • Link to the Graduate School's catalog website
      • Graduate Resources
        Back
        • Current Graduate Program Guide
        • Graduate Research Center
        • Graduate Theological Fellowship
        • Link to the Graduate School's Academic Calendar
        • Link to the Graduate School's Catalog website
        • Link to the Graduate School's Website
        • Parental Leave
        • Religion Department Facebook Page
        • Student Publications
      • Travel Funds
      • Advanced Standing Qualification
      • Dissertation
  • Ministry Guidance
    Back
    • Religion Courses of Particular Interest to Ministry Students
    • Program Elements
    • Ministry Placement
      Back
      • Preparing a Resume
      • Preparing a Cover Letter
      • Christian Camps
      • Mission Connections
    • Scholarships
      Back
      • Baylor Ministry Scholarship
      • BGCT Ministry Scholarship
      • Hubler Endowed Scholarship
      • Vocational Ministry FAQ
    • Seminary Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities
    • Events Sponsored by Ministry Guidance
      Back
      • Coffee Hour/ Lunch and Learn
      • Ministry Guidance Conference
      • Seminary Day
  • Featured Giving
    Back
    • Basden Family Ministry Guidance Endowed Scholarship
    • Graduate Student Research/Travel Fund
    • James Melvin Washington Research Grant in Black Baptist History
  • Affiliated Programs
    Back
    • Baptist Studies Center for Research
      Back
      • Contact Us
      • Our Purpose
      • Scholarly Network in Baptist Studies
        Back
        • Faculty Profiles
        • Publications
      • Baptist Scholars International Roundtable (BSIR)
        Back
        • BSIR Leadership
        • BSIR Scholars
        • BSIR Distinguished Fellow
        • BSIR Lectures
        • BSIR Membership
        • Past BSIR Roundtables and Scholars
          Back
          • 2019 Roundtable
          • 2019 Scholars
          • 2020-2021 Roundtable
          • 2020-2021 Scholars
          • 2022 Roundtable
          • 2022 Scholars
          • 2023 Roundtable
          • 2023 Scholars
          • 2024 Scholars
      • Resources
        Back
        • Baptist Historical Archives or Collections
        • Baptist Historical Journals
        • Baptist History and Heritage Websites
        • Baptist Publishing Houses
        • Baptist Colleges and Universities
        • Baptist Seminaries and Divinity Schools
        • Baptist Denominations in America
        • Newspapers and Press Services
      • The James Melvin Washington Research Grant in Black Baptist History
    • J.M Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies
    • Perspectives in Religious Studies
      Back
      • Contact Information
        Back
        • Current Editorial Board Members
        • Editorial Officers
      • PRSt Index
      • Submit a Manuscript
      • Subscribe to NABPR
  • Lectures
    Back
    • Lectures Sponsored by the Department
    • BSIR Lectures
    • Robert D. and Barbara H. Whitten Endowed Lecture Series
  • Apply Now
  • Make a Gift
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give to Baylor
  • News
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Strategic Plan
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • University Libraries, Museums, and the Press
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Compliance, Risk and Safety
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Report It
  • Title IX
  • Web Accessibility
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678