An introductory letter is an important piece of your career portfolio, which is a folder that holds your cover letter, resume, references and copies of published work, awards and certificates. It’s designed to highlight your best work and be both informative and personal. You should write a new cover letter for each job to which you are applying that contains personal information.
Objective
In the first paragraph of the introduction letter, you should state your intentions and include the name of the school to which you are applying and the posted job opening for a guidance counselor. Reference the school district in the objective, stating why you are uniquely qualified to counsel students within that area, whether you’ve had personal experience in the district or have engaged students with similar backgrounds as you’ll work with in the job, such as developmentally disabled, underprivileged or rural student populations.
Examples
After stating the kinds of students with whom you’ve had experience, use the next section of the letter to provide specific examples of your previous experience. Highlight initiatives you took as an intern if you’re just out of school and include reference to your thesis or other research you performed in school that pertains to the job. Include a sentence or two about direct experience you’ve had with students either as a group facilitator or individual counselor.
Closing
An introduction letter should only be one page, directing the recruiter to further look at the rest of your portfolio where your educational background and work related experience are listed in more detail. Express your desire to work with students and emphasize your enthusiasm to meet with the recruiter for an interview. Mention that you will follow up within a specific period of time and that you are open to questions.
Relevance
After explaining your relevant experience, mention credentials you own that are required for the job, even though copies should be included in the portfolio. Include mention of your major in school as well as specific sources that are directly relevant to the job to which you’re applying. For example, even though the job description doesn’t call for a license, mention your National Certified School Counselor license and the kind of work you did to earn the credentials.