Cover Letter Worksheet for Students | Thank-You Note Planner

Cover Letter and Thank-You Note Planner - Job Interview Skills Example

More options

Copy Activity

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Lesson Plan Overview

Two short pieces of writing frame every interview: the cover letter that gets you invited, and the thank-you note that people remember afterward. Both follow a pattern students can learn in one lesson. In this activity, students plan both on a worksheet, one part per cell, then write them out in full.

The example is Jordan's cover letter and thank-you note to Ms. Grant at TagBack. The planner can be completed in Storyboard That or printed as a worksheet.

Before You Begin

Time needed: 45 minutes for the planner; 30 minutes to write both pieces.
Keep it short: a teen cover letter is three short paragraphs, and a thank-you note is three or four sentences.
Make it specific: both pieces should mention something only this job or this interview has. A letter that could be sent to any employer is a weak letter.
Timing: send the thank-you note within 24 hours. Email is fine; a handwritten card stands out at small businesses.
Assessment: every part is completed, the cover letter connects two skills to the posting, and the thank-you note mentions one detail from the interview.

Example: Jordan's Planner

PART	WHAT IT DOES	EXAMPLE: JORDAN
COVER LETTER
Greeting	Use the person's name when you can.	Dear Ms. Grant,
Opening	The job you want and how you heard about it.	I'm applying for the part-time order assistant job I saw on TagBack's website.
Why Me	Two skills from the posting, with proof.	I'm organized: I restock and count inventory at our school store every week. I also write the store's weekly email, so I'm comfortable answering customers in writing.
Closing	Your availability and a thank-you.	I'm available Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Thank you for considering me.
THANK-YOU NOTE
Thanks	Thank them for their time.	Thank you for meeting with me today about the order assistant job.
A Detail	Mention one thing from the interview.	I enjoyed hearing how TagBack packs every order by hand.
Still Interested	Say you still want the job.	I'm excited about the chance to help families get their things back.
Send Within 24 Hours	Send it the same day if you can.	Jordan sends the note that evening, well within 24 hours.

Differentiation

Grade 8: complete the thank-you note only.
Grades 9–12: write the cover letter for a real posting from the Job Posting to Application activity.
Extension: peer review: a partner checks that each piece could only be sent to this employer.

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Plan a cover letter and a thank-you note for the same job.

Click "Use This Template" from the assignment.
Cover letter, cell 1: write the greeting using the interviewer's name.
Cell 2: name the job and how you heard about it.
Cell 3: give two skills from the posting, with proof for each.
Cell 4: share your availability and thank the reader.
Thank-you note: thank the interviewer, mention one detail from the interview, and say you are still interested.
Add a picture to each cell, then write both pieces out in full.
Save and submit your storyboard, or print it as a worksheet.

Cover Letter and Thank-You Note Planner - Job Interview Skills Template

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-12

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Worksheet Templates

Switch to: Common Core • Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Iowa • Kansas • Maryland • Massachusetts • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • Texas • Utah • Virginia

Copy Activity

Lesson Plan Overview

The example is Jordan's cover letter and thank-you note to Ms. Grant at TagBack. The planner can be completed in Storyboard That or printed as a worksheet.

Before You Begin

Time needed: 45 minutes for the planner; 30 minutes to write both pieces.
Keep it short: a teen cover letter is three short paragraphs, and a thank-you note is three or four sentences.
Make it specific: both pieces should mention something only this job or this interview has. A letter that could be sent to any employer is a weak letter.
Timing: send the thank-you note within 24 hours. Email is fine; a handwritten card stands out at small businesses.
Assessment: every part is completed, the cover letter connects two skills to the posting, and the thank-you note mentions one detail from the interview.

Example: Jordan's Planner

PART	WHAT IT DOES	EXAMPLE: JORDAN
COVER LETTER
Greeting	Use the person's name when you can.	Dear Ms. Grant,
Opening	The job you want and how you heard about it.	I'm applying for the part-time order assistant job I saw on TagBack's website.
Why Me	Two skills from the posting, with proof.	I'm organized: I restock and count inventory at our school store every week. I also write the store's weekly email, so I'm comfortable answering customers in writing.
Closing	Your availability and a thank-you.	I'm available Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Thank you for considering me.
THANK-YOU NOTE
Thanks	Thank them for their time.	Thank you for meeting with me today about the order assistant job.
A Detail	Mention one thing from the interview.	I enjoyed hearing how TagBack packs every order by hand.
Still Interested	Say you still want the job.	I'm excited about the chance to help families get their things back.
Send Within 24 Hours	Send it the same day if you can.	Jordan sends the note that evening, well within 24 hours.

Differentiation

Grade 8: complete the thank-you note only.
Grades 9–12: write the cover letter for a real posting from the Job Posting to Application activity.
Extension: peer review: a partner checks that each piece could only be sent to this employer.

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Plan a cover letter and a thank-you note for the same job.

Click "Use This Template" from the assignment.
Cover letter, cell 1: write the greeting using the interviewer's name.
Cell 2: name the job and how you heard about it.
Cell 3: give two skills from the posting, with proof for each.
Cell 4: share your availability and thank the reader.
Thank-you note: thank the interviewer, mention one detail from the interview, and say you are still interested.
Add a picture to each cell, then write both pieces out in full.
Save and submit your storyboard, or print it as a worksheet.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-12

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Worksheet Templates

Copy Activity

How to Write a Cover Letter and Thank-You Note with Students

Choose the job posting

Students use the posting from the Job Posting to Application activity or the TagBack example.

Plan the cover letter

Students plan the greeting, opening, two skills with proof, and closing, one part per cell.

Plan the thank-you note

Students plan the thanks, one detail from the interview, continued interest, and when they will send it.

Write both in full

Students turn each planner into a finished letter and note.

Check that each one is specific

A partner confirms each piece could only be sent to this employer.

Frequently Asked Questions about Teaching Cover Letters and Thank-You Notes

Do teens need a cover letter for a first job?

Not always, since many entry-level applications are online forms. But a short cover letter helps whenever an application allows one, and the skill of connecting your experience to a specific job carries over to emails, internship applications, and college essays. Practicing it once in class makes the next real application much easier.

How long should a student's cover letter be?

Three short paragraphs that fit well under one page: an opening that names the job and how the student heard about it, a middle that matches two skills from the posting with proof, and a closing with availability and thanks. Shorter is better for a first job, as long as every sentence is specific.

Should a thank-you note be an email or handwritten?

Either works. Email is fast and normal for most jobs; a handwritten card stands out, especially at a small business. What matters most is timing: the note should arrive within 24 hours of the interview, while the interviewer is still deciding. Students can send an email the same day and follow with a card if they like.

What makes a thank-you note stand out?

One specific detail from the interview. "I enjoyed hearing how TagBack packs every order by hand" shows the student was listening and remembers the conversation. A note that could be sent to any employer is easy to forget. Keep it to three or four sentences: thanks, the detail, and continued interest.

How should I grade the planner?

Give points for completing every part, for connecting two skills to the posting with proof in the cover letter, and for including one detail from the interview in the thank-you note. A peer check, where a partner confirms each piece could only be sent to this employer, is a quick way to grade specificity.