High School Student Cover Letter

What a good one includes

• A professional header containing your full name, a mature email address, your phone number, and a polite, formal greeting addressed to the hiring manager by name if possible.
• An engaging opening statement that clearly names the position you are applying for and expresses genuine excitement about joining their specific team or organization.
• A body paragraph linking your school achievements, like a high GPA, science fair projects, or debate team participation, directly to the skills needed for the job.
• Real-world examples of your reliability, time management, or teamwork, demonstrated through babysitting, lawn mowing, sports, or volunteering.
• A brief explanation of why you admire the company or organization, showing you did your research and share their values.
• A polite closing paragraph that requests an interview, references your attached resume, and thanks the reader for their time.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using an unprofessional or silly childhood email address that makes a poor first impression on a potential employer.
• Apologizing for a lack of formal work experience instead of confidently focusing on transferable skills from school and hobbies.
• Sending a generic, copy-and-pasted letter that does not mention the specific business name or details about the open position.
• Neglecting to proofread, resulting in spelling or grammar errors that suggest a lack of care and attention to detail.

Frequently asked questions