05. Write the Body

What should you include in your body paragraphs?

Let's unpack the successful components together.

Before you read the examples below, it may be helpful to first read through the job posting Artsy targeted his cover letter to:

We are looking for a Front-End Web Developer who is motivated to combine the art of design with the art of programming. You will work with the UI/UX designer and bridge the gap between graphical design and technical implementation, taking an active role on both sides and defining how the application looks as well as how it works.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop new user-facing features
• Build reusable code and libraries for future use
• Ensure the technical feasibility of UI/UX designs
• Optimize application for maximum speed and scalability
• Assure that all user input is validated before submitting to back-end
• Collaborate with other team members and stakeholders

**Adapted from: https://www.toptal.com/front-end/job-description*

Now consider the following example from Artsy Udacian's cover letter:

Artsy did the following well:

• Artsy targeted the cover letter to the job posting. He does so by describing previous experience such as improving the online auction web application's PageSpeed score that is relevant to the job duties from the job posting, described as "optimize application for maximum speed and scalability."
• Artsy detailed individual work experiences. Rather than listing general job duties, he focused on describing personal contributions such as recommending website improvements based on visitor feedback which clearly demonstrates what he can uniquely bring to the position.
• Artsy chose examples that showcase both his technical and soft skills. A job posting will ask for a combination of these two types of skills, so it's important that your cover letter also addresses both! For example, Artsy uses the Nanodegree program to highlight his development of technical skills, while his reference to working with a museum website developer shows that he can be a collaborative team member.

Remember: Cover letters are sometimes read before the resume, so the cover letter needs to be strong on its own and not just refer back to resume content. You also want to avoid making your cover letter just another version of your resume; it should bring more to the employer's understanding of you as a job candidate!