Cover Letter Writing Guide for Military-Connected Students at GGU

Turn Your Experience Into a Story Worth Reading

A cover letter is more than a formality—it’s a space to connect your why with their why. For veterans, military spouses, and connected students, it's the bridge between your past and your next mission.

What Should a Cover Letter Include?

    • Mention the job title + how you found it

    • Express enthusiasm for their mission or work

    • Reference something specific about their company

    Example: I’m excited to apply for the Veteran Program Coordinator role at ABC Nonprofit. Your work supporting transitioning service members has inspired me throughout my own military-to-civilian journey.

    • Highlight 1–2 key qualifications or strengths

    • Use a STAR story: Situation + Task + Action + Result

    • Show impact and results from past experience

    • Reaffirm your interest in the role

    • Thank them for reviewing your application

    • Include a clear call to action and your contact info

    Example: I would be honored to contribute to your team and bring my leadership experience to the role. Thank you for considering my application—I look forward to the opportunity to connect. I can be reached at janesmith@email.com or (555) 123-4567.

    • Save as a PDF, named like this: FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter.pdf

    • Use block formatting (no indents, space between sections)

    • Choose either a matching resume header or a traditional letter layout

    • Personalize your greeting whenever possible (e.g., “Dear Hiring Team at [Company]”)

    • Include a professional signature (digital or scanned)

    • Translate military roles into civilian impact—focus on leadership, logistics, and results

    • Avoid generic cover letter templates—make it personal

    • Let your passion show: this is where you get to explain why you’re applying

Want to see an example cover letter?

Show Example

Ready to Get Feedback?

We'll send back a review of your cover letter in 24–48 hours. But don’t wait to move forward—book a one-on-one session with a Career Coach after you hit submit so we can walk through your edits together and prep you for next steps.