Here is a general template of a header of your cover letter:
Your Name
Street Address City, State, Zip
Email and phone number
Today’s Date
Mr./Ms./Dr. Name
Title
Organization
Dear ______:
The opening paragraph should explain why you are writing, giving your specific employment interest. Mention how you found out about the position. If it was advertised, refer to the website or resource where you found the posting. If a contact told you about it, say so.
In the first paragraph, it is also helpful to include an overall summary of the critical skills, knowledge areas, or experiences you bring to this role. If you start with these concrete conclusions that confidently state that you have what the employer is looking for, the reader will also have a lot of confidence that your letter and resume are worth reading.
The middle paragraph(s) should summarize the aspects of your background which will interest the employer. The more information you have about the organization and its needs, the better. Discuss your qualifications in terms of the contributions you can make. While you should not repeat your resume verbatim, don’t hesitate to refer to the most important information discussed in it.
Ideally, your cover letter and your CV/resume would be able to stand alone. It is not necessary to describe yourself in superlatives. Rather than saying, “I can make a uniquely valuable contribution to your organization,” give the employer relevant, targeted information to allow the reader to reach that conclusion independently. Be specific and credible.
The closing paragraph should explain why the position and the particular organization are attractive to you and should hopefully pave the way for the interview. Provide an authentic reason why you are excited about bringing your skills to the role and what you will gain from being in the role. Speaking with former or current employees at the organization as part of your networking will help in this regard. You can also offer to send any additional information, restate your contact details and state that you look forward to hearing from them.