What should the content of a Cover Letter include?

Your cover letter should include the name of the job you are applying for and where you saw it advertised. Then you should explain how your experience and background match the requirements in the ad. Finally you should have a reason that the job will be good for you, give them something that makes them understand why you want the job, and not just think you are fishing for any job you can get. Always end by saying you would welcome the opportunity to discuss the position further. Yes, it is set up like a normal letter and you should either address it to a specific person mentioned in the ad, or "To Whom it May Concern" will be fine. Depending on the level of the position a letter can be about two paragraphs to a whole page.

A cover letter is just that - a letter covering your application, or your submission, or whatever it is that you are sending it with. You can think of it as an index and an introduction. Use it to introduce yourself, to explain why you are submitting whatever it is (Enclosed is my job resume and copies of letters of reference from two previous employers, or Enclosed is my scholarship application, with references from four professors and a transcript of my scholastic record etc.etc.) and to conclude with a cheerfully confident statement about how you are looking forward to an interview, or to visiting the faculty, or to answering any further questions etc.etc.

It should be no longer than a page.

Once you have done your cover letter, go back and double check that you have included everything that you say you have included.

it's amazing how many people miss out on that step and some poor bewildered personnel clerk is searching vainly for a letter of reference that someone forgot to put in an envelope. Needless to say, those applications don't get very far at all.

The cover letter is like a business letter and should basically follow that format. The idea is that most resumes are not written specifically for one place. A cover letter is. Indicate your desire to attend that university and very briefly your reasons. Add to the resume if appropriate. Keep the letter short.

In a cover letter, you should make it personal to your qualifications. Include specific points that make you attractive to a potential employer regarding a specific job. You can always go to monster.com, they have examples of cover letters so you can get some ideas!! Good luck!