The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work
© 2021 The DiNitto Center
512-232-7362
1
The following is a sample job posting and sample cover letter.
SAMPLE JOB POSTING
CASE WORKER, OAK SPRINGS TREATMENT CENTER
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or related
Human Services field. Experience: This position provides client
assessment, education, referral and advocacy within a substance
abuse program. The position will work closely with other program
staff to ensure continuity of care for individuals with abuse disorders.
With a minimum of one (1) year experience in case management,
substance abuse and mental health required. Current and valid Texas
driver’s license and a clean driving record required. Must be eligible
for the Center’s driving insurance. If chosen for an interview, must
provide current (within 30 days) copy of driving record for
consideration of position. Applicants being considered for this
position will be required to participate in the Center’s Controlled
Substance Testing Program. Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday,
with limited evening work required. Salary: $3,000 monthly. Note:
This position will remain open until filled.
What to look for:
•
Does your degree, department, major, or area of knowledge match the field
description?
•
Does the job description use language that suggests transferrable skills you could
highlight from your previous experience?
•
Does your previous experience or employment include the work that the listing would
like you to have already completed?
•
Do you hold valid and updated certifications that match the listing’s qualifications?
The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work
© 2021 The DiNitto Center
512-232-7362
2
SAMPLE COVER LETTER IN RESPONSE TO JOB POSTING
Sarah Smith
1234 Main Street
Austin TX, 78704 | ssmith@unimail.com
(512) 555-1234
November 17, 2019
Ms. Jane Jones, Manager of Human Resources
Oak Springs Treatment Center 3000 Oak Springs Dr.
Austin, TX 78702-2531
Dear Ms. Jones:
I am responding to your advertisement for a Case Worker in the November 2019 issue of the DiNitto
Center’s Spotlight. I am confident that my education and counseling experience with individuals
who have substance abuse disorders make me an excellent candidate for this job.
While in college, I completed an internship at South Austin Hospital and participated in a multi-
disciplinary team that guided patients through a successful transition from the hospital setting to
outpatient treatment centers. My responsibilities included aiding in psychosocial evaluations and
assessments and making referrals to local law enforcement officials, psychiatric facilities, and
chemical dependency outpatient and support groups.
I have applied for my licensing exam and am awaiting my test date. I am bilingual in English and
Spanish and have worked with Spanish-speaking populations.
The successful programs of the Oak Springs Treatment Center are familiar to
me, and I aspire to work for a facility with your excellent reputation. I would welcome the
opportunity to interview with you. I have enclosed a resume that provides the details of my
education and experience. I can be reached by telephone at (512) 345-1234 or email at
Ssmith@yahoo.com. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Sarah Smith
The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work
© 2021 The DiNitto Center
512-232-7362
3
Notable strategies from this sample:
• Prepare a letterhead for your cover letter that matches your resume. This should include
your name, address, email address, and phone number.
• When a posting does not provide details about an addressee (the person who will receive
your letter), you must contact the organization and find out. Use “dear” or a similar
formal opener. Include the person’s name, title, and office address.
• Indicate how you found the advertised position.
• Conclude your opening paragraph with a quick summary of the experiences you will
discuss in more detail going forward in the letter. Emphasize the relevance of this
experience to the job position or organization.
• Call attention to specific elements of your background—education, experience,
leadership— that are relevant to the position. Use verbs that highlight accomplishments
and results. For example, “completed,” “guided.”
• Mention any transferable skills you have that may fit the job (see our worksheet with
examples of great transferable skills!)
• Conclude with a statement that acknowledges something that excites you about the
position or organization. You can even include specific information you have found after
researching the position, or reading the organization’s website (tip: most organizations
have either a “mission statement” or a description of their values.)
• Provide space for a signature, which you can create using your cell phone, a tablet, or
even an online program (Google “create digital signature”—there are several free
programs that let you easily create and download a signature of your name.) This is an
image file that you can keep somewhere on your computer for easy access and format
into your letters.
