Career · Lesson Plan
Types of Cover Letters
Not every cover letter does the same job. This lesson teaches the main types — the response to an advertisement, the cold-contact (or prospecting) letter, the networking letter, and follow-ups — and when to use each. Building on the how-to-write-a-cover-letter basics, students learn to match the right kind of letter to the situation and tailor its message accordingly.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Career
- Grade Level
- Grades 9–12
- Resource Type
- Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 45–60 minutes
- Format
- Lesson + worksheet
- Materials
- Printable lesson, worksheet, pencils
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Identify the main types of cover letters
- Explain when to use a response-to-an-ad letter
- Describe a cold-contact (prospecting) letter
- Explain the purpose of a networking letter
- Match the right type of letter to a situation
Materials
What you’ll need
- Printed lesson and worksheet (one per student)
- A sample job ad
- Pencils
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- Cover letter
- A letter sent with a resume to introduce a job applicant.
- Response letter
- A cover letter replying to a specific advertised opening.
- Cold-contact letter
- A letter to an employer with no advertised opening.
- Prospecting
- Reaching out to potential employers proactively.
- Networking letter
- A letter to a contact who may help your job search.
- Tailoring
- Adjusting a letter to fit a specific employer.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: one 45–60 minute class period.
Lesson sequence
- Why type matters (10 min). Different situations call for different letters.
- The main types (18 min). Response-to-ad, cold-contact/prospecting, and networking letters.
- Match the situation (10 min). Choose the right type for sample scenarios.
- Worksheet (12 min). Students draft the opening of one chosen type.
Assessment
Assess the worksheet for the correct letter type matched to the situation and an appropriate tone.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- What are the main types of cover letters?
- When would you write a response-to-an-ad letter?
- What is a cold-contact or prospecting letter?
- How is a networking letter different?
- How do you match a letter type to a situation?
Printable Lesson & Worksheet
Types of Cover Letters — Lesson & Worksheet
A printable lesson and worksheet on the main types of cover letters and when to use each: response, cold-contact, and networking letters.
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