A good entry-level counseling cover letter shows you’re ready to apply your education and help people address drug abuse, mental health, or other issues. Express your interest in the hiring organization, and cite your related skills like treatment planning or finding solutions to complex issues.
This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your first job as a counselor.
Entry-Level Counseling Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write an Entry-Level Counseling Cover Letter
Your entry-level counseling cover letter should usually have five sections, in this order:
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include:
- Your name and contact information
- The date
- The recipient’s name, title, organization, and contact information (when available)
(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email and your contact details are part of your signature.)
Example
Raymond Ortiz
123 Bedford Avenue, New York, NY 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
April 11, 2024
Mr. Matthew Johnson
Hiring Manager
WFT Society
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
2. Salutation
If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”
Examples
Dear Ms. Li:
Dear U.B.E. University Hiring Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by citing an achievement from your resume or a key credential the employer seeks in applicants.
Example
During my recent substance abuse counselor internship, I was praised by my manager for performing thorough needs assessments and developing viable treatment plans for clients. I hope to bring that same level of diligence to your organization as a substance abuse counselor.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Explain why the counseling job or employer interests you. Then, cite a few more of your key achievements or qualifications, possibly using bullet points.
Example
I’m intrigued by your group’s mission to reduce alcoholism in lower-income families, as that was the focus of my recent internships at two nonprofits. Through these experiences, I gained a passion for helping people take steps (however small) to recover from alcohol dependency through influential new mindsets and patterns of behavior.
My work highlights and qualifications also include the following:
- Compiled a new, expanded list of job placement agencies and support groups, offering individuals a better sense of local resources based on their specific life situation
- Recently graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology
- Nearly 11 months’ combined internship experience helping efforts to guide people out of alcohol addiction and dependency, with a focus on active listening and group facilitation
5. Closing
Finally, request an interview for the position.
Example
I would welcome the chance to discuss my skills further. Please call or email me to arrange an interview. I will follow up with you soon to confirm you received my resume and see if you have any initial questions.
Sincerely,
Mina Sayed
Entry-Level Counseling Cover Letter Tips
1. Show you’re ready to apply your counseling education
Start your letter strong with an example of your success from your degree program, internship experience, or any counseling-related volunteer work you’ve done.
Example
During a 90-day internship last fall, I was praised on all three formal reviews for my dedication to connecting recovering alcoholics to relevant social services. I hope to bring that same dedication to WFT Society as a substance abuse counselor.
2. Explain why you’re drawn to the opportunity
For instance, maybe you share the nonprofit’s mission to help people address and overcome substance abuse. Or maybe the role focuses on underprivileged groups you’ve engaged with through your volunteer experience.
Example
Your job posting intrigued me as I’d love to support your goal of delivering timely and compassionate services to distressed students. This was the cause I found most engaging during my internship at my school’s health clinic.
3. Highlight your strengths
Add a short list of bullet points to show your success in key work areas for an entry-level counselor, such as active listening, appointment booking, or treatment planning.
Example
I can support these efforts based on my skill and experience in these areas:
- Collaboration: Built positive relationships with other members of the treatment team and submitted feedback and ideas that contributed to an updated mission statement
- Communication: Effectively engaged with diverse groups and individuals, making sound use of cognitive-behavioral intervention methods
- Organization: Created and continually honed an efficient system for managing intake forms and other client documents
Entry-Level Counseling Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Mina Sayed
123 Bridge Street, Boston, MA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
April 11, 2024
Ms. Meiling Li
Hiring Manager
U.B.E. University
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Li:
On completing a three-month, on-campus internship for my master’s degree in counseling, I earned high marks for my diligent support of and communication with a diverse student population. I hope to bring that same dedication to U.B.E. University as a Counselor for Student Affairs.
Your job posting intrigued me as I’d love to support your goal of delivering timely and compassionate services to distressed students. This was the cause I found most engaging during my internship at my school’s health clinic.
My work highlights and qualifications also include the following:
- Consulted closely with students to help them address personal crises and locate additional mental health resources in the region as needed
- Thrived on a cross-functional, 15-member team of student counselors and other health clinic professionals
- Recently completed Master’s Degree in Counseling with concentration in Clinical Mental Health
I would welcome the chance to discuss my skills further. Please call or email me to arrange an interview. I will follow up with you soon to confirm you received my resume and see if you have any initial questions.
Sincerely,
Mina Sayed
Entry-Level Counseling Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important part of a cover letter?-
Any explanation you give for why the specific job opening or employer interests you. These details distinguish the cover letter from your resume and other application materials and can help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS). They also set up a good interview discussion about how you fit the role and the organization’s work culture.
Should I say “My name is…” on a cover letter?-
No. As long as your name appears in the letter’s closing section, you don’t need to state it otherwise.
What traits are useful to highlight in my cover letter?-
Desired qualities in counselors include empathy, patience, and attentiveness to each client’s concerns. Consider which of these traits best describe you, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.
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