how to write a good social work cover letter

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3 Social Work Cover Letter Examples That Worked in 2024

• Social Work Cover Letter
• Entry-Level Social Work Cover Letter
• School Social Worker Cover Letter
• Write Your Social Worker Cover Letter

When life gets tough, you’re there. You identify individuals, families, and community groups in need of help and then work hard to provide necessary resources like information and support networks.

But how do you create a cover letter that adequately conveys how hard you work to help others? Your social worker resume says a lot, but can you provide a more detailed overview of your standout qualifications?

We’ve got this. After years of helping social workers like you write a cover letter that empowers them to improve their communities, we’ve developed three social work cover letter examples to get you started!

Social Work Cover Letter Example

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Copy this text for your social work cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Austin, TX 76208 (123) 456-7890

July 20, 2023

Lucas Rossi Austin Travis County Integral Care 123 Fictional Lane Austin, TX 76208

Dear Mr. Rossi:

As a social worker, my mission has always been to provide individualized support to every client, a mission that perfectly aligns with Austin Travis County Integral Care’s values. Your commitment to serving the Austin community has inspired me and I’d love to join your team.

While working as a social worker for Seton Healthcare Family, I honed my ability to manage high-pressure situations. I was responsible for a caseload of 45+ clients, where I performed bio-psycho-social assessments, formulated service plans, and conducted follow-ups.

My duties also included advocating for clients’ rights and needs and connecting them to community resources. I’m proud to say, under my support, over 86% of my clients reported an improvement in their mental well-being within six months. I also used EHR and case management software to track client progress and led a transition to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a certified alcohol and drug counselor, I have a strong understanding of substance abuse and addiction treatment, and I am confident that these skills will significantly contribute to your team of social workers and the clients we serve.

I deeply admire ATCIC’s dedication to providing inclusive services to the Austin community and I look forward to discussing how my skills and experience align with your needs.

Aisha Onuoha

Why this cover letter works

• Share an instance when you helped clients navigate a difficult situation, like a child welfare case or mental health crisis. Be specific and clear about the impact you had on the situation.

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Entry-Level Social Work Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your entry-level social work cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Phoenix, AZ 76208 (123) 456-7890

Fatima Santos Arizona Department of Economic Security 123 Fictional Lane Phoenix, AZ 76208

Dear Ms. Santos:

While researching the Arizona Department of Economic Security, I was inspired by your dedication to improving the lives of Arizonians and the breadth of services your organization offers. This resonates with my aspiration to make a difference in the lives of others as your next entry-level social worker, especially for those who are in a vulnerable situation. With a robust background, I believe I could make a significant contribution to your team.

During my internship at Arizona Department of Child Safety, I had the opportunity to work extensively with data management and electronic health records. I was responsible for managing and updating information for over 2,000 clients in the Epic EHR system. After my interventions and diligent updates, we witnessed a 37% decrease in discrepancies within the client records. Furthermore, I led an initiative to improve our data analysis capabilities using Microsoft Excel, leading to a 24% increase in operational efficiency.

I also had the chance to work with Salesforce case management software, coordinating communication between caseworkers and clients, which reduced missed appointments by 43%. The streamlined process significantly improved our service delivery. Additionally, I coordinated and hosted over 100 remote client meetings, which played a significant part in maintaining our service quality.

Given my skill set and a strong desire to make a positive impact on individuals and families, I believe I can contribute effectively to your mission. Thank you for considering my application. I am looking forward to the potential opportunity to serve the Arizona community alongside your esteemed team.

Liam O’Connor

Enclosures: Resume Academic transcript Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

• Mention times when you applied social work theories in your internships or developed client interventions.
• Yes, you’re entry-level, but your educational experiences should indicate how you’ve gained meaningful experiences that prepare you for the role.

School Social Worker Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your school social worker cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Detroit, MI 76208 (123) 456-7890

Sofia Petrov Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences 123 Fictional Lane Detroit, MI 76208

Dear Ms. Petrov:

The prospect of using my skills to foster an inclusive environment for the students at Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences fills me with immense excitement. My passion for social work was ignited when, as a young student, I witnessed the transformative power of a dedicated school social worker in helping my friend overcome personal hardships. Now, with over seven years of experience, I am eager to give back.

In my recent role at Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency, I used my data analysis capabilities and deep understanding of EHR systems to revamp the district’s student support program. By identifying gaps and patterns in student data, I drove a 22% increase in early detection of students at risk. I also helped to implement cloud-based case management software.

Another notable accomplishment was the successful coordination of a team tasked with integrating our EHR system with case management software following a district merger. Our data integration strategy was completed ahead of schedule, saving $50K in projected costs.

With the increasing need for virtual engagement, I’ve also honed my skills in using various virtual communication platforms, including Google Meet and Zoom. In fact, I coordinated an online support group, strengthening peer interaction and reducing feelings of isolation.

The opportunity to make a positive impact on students’ lives resonates deeply with my personal and professional mission. I am confident that my skill set can be an asset to your team at Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences. Thank you for considering my application, and I anticipate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in more detail.

• A school social worker cover letter should highlight your skills in student counseling and advocacy, first and foremost. Not just general social work. Your work in an educational setting should take priority here.
• The ability to leverage personal experiences in a professional context can give you an edge over other candidates.

Related cover letter examples

• Medical Assistant
• Customer Service
• Human Resources
• Entry Level

How to Write Your Best Social Work Cover Letter

Don’t forget to tailor your cover letter to the job description each time you apply! The idea might sound overwhelming at first, but it’s so worth it. Just like you’d adapt your resource packets and coaching plans to each individual case, you should tweak your cover letter and application package to each job description .

When you look over the job ad, seek out any points of emphasis, such as working with disabled individuals or specific community areas. Then pick points for your letter that match up with the job listing’s focal points.

Writing a stellar greeting and intro

It’s important to show people you care about them by taking the time to remember their names—the same goes for social work and for cover letters. Make the effort to find out who handles new hires at your ideal workplace and address them professionally by name.

Next, you want your intro paragraph to make a connection with the company where you’re applying. This can mean answering their mission statement or mentioning abilities you have that would solve their current obstacles.

Oh, and you’ll need a good hook! After sharing a couple of qualifications to show why you’re the right fit for the job, imply how much more awesome stuff there is to learn about your ability to make a difference through social work.

Next up: A great example of how not to write an opener: No professionalism, no concrete examples or info, and no hook!

I always wanted to work in Detroit. I’m really good with people and believe I can make a difference at your company. I’ve volunteered and helped people before, too.

Okay . . . now that we’ve gotten that atrocity out of the way, consider a far superior opener. This one addresses the letter recipient and company by name, expresses enthusiasm and compassion through examples, and ends with a hook that demonstrates the perfect social worker’s attitude:

Here’s an awesome one instead!

Writing your cover letter body

Your cover letter’s body paragraphs contain the crucial information on why you’re qualified to improve people’s lives and communities through social work. What notable trainings or initiatives have you completed?

And how can you quantify the differences you’ve made? Make sure you include metrics for the success point you share in each paragraph. What was the percentage of decreased substance abuse in your area after that outreach program? How did graduation rates or grades improve after your student assistance initiatives?

Remember to tailor your content choices here to the job description , too. If you’re applying to a rehab facility, you won’t want to emphasize your student assistance efforts as much as you would when applying to a school or youth center.

Example of a nice body paragraph

In my recent role at Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency, I used my data analysis capabilities and deep understanding of EHR systems to revamp the district’s student support program. By identifying gaps and patterns in student data, I drove a 22% increase in early detection of students at risk.

Closing off and signing your cover letter

In social work, it’s important to ensure that each situation is given the proper resolution and comes to a peaceful conclusion. You want your cover letter to come to a good resolution as well, with a few final examples of how you’re qualified for the role at that specific organization.

Reference their vision statement and reinforce your enthusiasm for the position by including a call to action. Invite them to ask more about your qualifications and offer to give more details on your history in social work!

And always remember to be polite and thank the reader for their time, whether you do that in the closing paragraph or the signoff itself.

Make sure you stick with professional grammar and word choices, and be specific . . . unlike this example here:

Thanks for reading this. I can do a lot for your company so make sure you hire me. I can help people a lot since I’ve done it before.

Try a closer like this instead: Demonstrate alignment with the organization’s mission, address them specifically, and leave them with a call to find out more about you. Sign with a professional close and your full name.

There’s a winning closer!

Revisit that job description and find the organization’s mission statement that you can respond to in your cover letter. As a social worker, values are extremely important! You can also reference specific wording from the job requirements like “virtual engagement” or “inclusive environment”.

Yep, back to the job description again. It’s critical for any social worker to be in tune with the people they’re helping, so familiarize yourself with the organization’s expression through the writing tone in their job ad. Then reflect that same style in your cover letter!

If you cannot see the hiring manager or recruiter’s name in the job description , do some research. Visit the company’s website or comb through their social media, like LinkedIn, to find whoever handles the hiring process so that you can address your letter more personally.

How to Write a Social Worker Cover Letter (5 Examples)

By Ammar Ahmed

Published: January 21, 2024

Cover Letters

Ammar Ahmed

Writer & Career Coach

Crafting a compelling Social Worker Cover Letter can be the golden ticket to securing your dream job in the realm of social work. In an industry where passion and dedication are paramount, your first impression must resonate. 

This article aims to guide aspiring Social Workers, equipping them with the advice and examples needed to create a standout cover letter that elevates their job prospects.

Creating a Winning Social Worker Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter for a Social Worker position requires more than just listing your qualifications and experiences. It’s also about showing your passion for helping others and how you would be a good fit for the company. A well-written letter starts with understanding the company’s mission and the specific requirements of the job.

Researching the Company and Position

Before you pen down your thoughts, it is important to be familiar with the organization and the position you are applying for. As a social worker, you are not just joining a company, but a mission. Understand the larger goal, and emphasize how your personal and professional values align with those of the company.

• Aligning with Company Values and Goals: It’s essential to convey that your principles resonate with the company’s mission. Whether it’s empowering underprivileged communities, offering mental health support, or working with children and families, showcase how your experiences and passion tie into these goals.
• Understanding the Specific Social Worker Role: This goes beyond a generic role understanding. Dive deep into what the organization expects from a social worker. Do they primarily cater to children in foster care, elderly individuals, or perhaps marginalized communities? Are there particular case management systems they use, or do they frequently collaborate with healthcare professionals, legal authorities, or educational institutions? Tailoring your cover letter to these specifics not only showcases your thorough research but also your genuine interest in the role.

Structuring Your Cover Letter

The structure of your cover letter is just as vital as its content. Think of it as the framework that showcases your passion, experience, and readiness for the social work role you’re eyeing. A well-organized letter guides the hiring manager effortlessly through your narrative, making them more likely to remember you. Below is a breakdown to ensure your cover letter not only tells your story but does so in a clear, compelling manner.

• Heading and Salutation: Begin with your contact information at the top, including your name, address, phone number, and email address. Directly below, list the date and the hiring manager’s contact details. Opt for a professional salutation like “Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],” whenever possible.
• Opening Paragraph – Grabbing Attention: Start strong! Introduce yourself and succinctly state the position you’re applying for. This is also your opportunity to hint at why you’re not just a fit, but the best fit for the role.
• Middle Paragraph(s) – Showcasing Your Skills and Experience: This section is the heart of your letter. Detail your relevant experiences, significant accomplishments, and the key skills you’ve acquired. Relate these to the specific needs of the social work position, emphasizing how you can address them and add value.
• Closing Paragraph – Expressing Enthusiasm and Call to Action: Reiterate your interest in the role and the organization’s mission. Highlight your eagerness for a face-to-face discussion to further elaborate on how you can contribute. A proactive tone, subtly urging the hiring manager to act, can set you apart.
• Signature and Contact Information: Conclude your letter with a formal sign-off like “Sincerely” or “Warm regards,” followed by your handwritten (if printed) or digital signature. Below your signature, type your full name, and provide alternative means of contact, such as your LinkedIn profile or professional website, if relevant.

Remember, while structure is essential, always infuse your personality into the letter. Authenticity paired with professionalism will make your application stand out in the competitive field of social work.

Highlighting Relevant Skills and Experience

In social work, certain skills and experiences make you more effective. These qualities are more than just professional assets; they are a testament to your dedication.

When writing your cover letter, emphasize the following essential social work competencies:

• Active Listening & Communication: As a Social Worker, it is essential to understand the concerns and feelings of individuals. Active listening allows you to engage with clients fully, ensuring they feel heard and validated. This, combined with clear communication, ensures that clients are not only understood but also equipped with the necessary information and resources. Highlight moments from your past roles where effective listening and communication directly impacted a positive outcome.
• Assessment & Evaluation: A successful Social Worker possesses the ability to quickly and accurately assess an individual’s situation and needs by analyzing complex personal, social, and environmental factors. In your cover letter, discuss experiences where your assessments led to tailored interventions or changed a treatment approach, showcasing your ability to think critically and make informed decisions.
• Empathy: One of the most defining attributes of a great Social Worker is empathy. It’s the ability to genuinely understand and resonate with an individual’s emotions and challenges. Share instances where your empathy made a significant difference, whether in building trust, bridging cultural gaps, or navigating sensitive issues.
• Case Management: Effective case management is a delicate balance of organizing, planning, and supervising a client’s services and support. While showcasing your meticulous attention to detail and broader perspective, remember never to use actual client names or identifiable information due to confidentiality obligations. Offer anonymized examples or generalized scenarios that highlight your case management proficiency, underlining your organizational prowess and dedication to comprehensive care.

Including these skills and experiences in your cover letter, with specific examples, demonstrates not only your qualifications but also your dedication and passion as a Social Worker.

Tailoring Your Cover Letter for Social Work Positions

Every social work organization has its unique challenges, clientele, and ethos. To make your application resonate, it’s essential to mold your cover letter according to the specific role and institution you’re targeting.

Here’s how you can achieve that:

• Addressing the Hiring Manager: Avoid generic greetings. Instead, invest effort in identifying the person responsible for hiring within the social work department. Using a personalized address, like “Dear Dr. Smith,” immediately communicates your dedication and shows that you’ve done your homework.
• Matching Job Description Keywords: In social work, certain terminologies reflect specialized skills and experiences. Keywords such as “behavioral therapy,” “child welfare,” “patient advocacy,” or “mental health assessment” can often pop up in job listings. When writing your cover letter, weave these terms seamlessly based on your expertise. 

Example: “At my last position, I led child welfare programs and was deeply involved in patient advocacy, ensuring the best outcomes for those under my care.”

• Demonstrating Cultural Fit: Different social work organizations have distinct cultures, be it a focus on community-based rehabilitation, mental health, children, or elderly care. Explore the institution’s primary focus and values, then emphasize experiences or philosophies that mirror those. If, for example, an organization is centered on youth rehabilitation, discuss your hands-on experience with youth counseling or outreach programs that target young individuals.

By tailoring your cover letter specifically for the nuances of the social work profession and the particular organization, you underscore not just your qualifications but your dedication and keen interest in that specific role and mission.

Providing Evidence of Your Accomplishments

In the field of social work, your impact isn’t just about the roles you’ve held, but the tangible changes you’ve contributed to. By showcasing specific accomplishments, you not only demonstrate your competence but also provide concrete evidence of your dedication to making a difference.

Here’s how to shed light on your achievements:

• Quantifiable Achievements: Numbers can tell a powerful story. When discussing your achievements, it’s beneficial to provide quantifiable data whenever possible.

Example: “Successfully counseled and assisted over 150 clients transition from homelessness to stable housing within a year.” OR “Reduced patient readmission rates by 25% through an innovative behavioral intervention program I initiated.”

• Relevant Projects and Outcomes: Dive deep into projects or initiatives you’ve led or played a significant role in, particularly those that had a substantial impact. 

Example: “Implemented a community outreach program that reached over 500 families, leading to a 40% increase in access to mental health resources in underserved areas.” OR “Advocated for policy changes within the municipality, resulting in a 20% increase in funding for social services that benefited local at-risk populations.”

Your accomplishments, framed effectively, validate your skills and dedication. By providing evidence of your impact, you allow potential employers to visualize the value you can bring to their organization, setting you apart in the competitive landscape of social work.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Social Work Cover Letters

Even the most experienced Social Workers can make mistakes when it comes to writing an effective cover letter. Certain errors can detract from your skills and passion for social advocacy and support.

Below are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

• Lengthy and Overly Detailed Cover Letters: While your passion for social work may drive you to discuss every accomplishment, it’s essential to keep your cover letter concise . Instead of listing every single task you’ve undertaken, focus on the most impactful experiences and skills relevant to the specific position.
• Generic and Unpersonalized Cover Letters: In social work, each organization and role can have distinct challenges and demographics. A cover letter that seems like it could be sent to any employer may come across as disinterested. Always tailor your letter, addressing the hiring manager by name and aligning your content with the unique goals and client populations of the organization.
• Not Demonstrating Cultural Competency: Social work frequently involves engaging with diverse populations. Failing to showcase cultural competency can be a significant oversight. Highlight experiences where you’ve worked with varied demographic groups, or discuss training and workshops you’ve attended to enhance your cultural sensitivity.
• Failure to Provide Evidence: Merely stating that you’re a good Social Worker won’t suffice. Back up your claims with concrete examples of accomplishments, innovative solutions, or positive outcomes you’ve achieved in your prior roles.
• Forgetting to Proofread: Attention to detail is paramount in social work, from assessing client needs to drafting reports. A cover letter riddled with typos or grammatical errors can cast doubt on your professionalism. Always proofread multiple times, and if possible, get a second set of eyes to review your letter.

By being vigilant about these pitfalls and ensuring your cover letter is professional-specific, you’ll be better positioned to leave a positive, lasting impression on potential employers.

Related Article: If you’re unsure about what you can do with your social work degree , explore 15 jobs you can pursue .

Social Worker Cover Letter Examples

Writing a persuasive cover letter for a Social Worker position is an art that involves striking the right balance between showcasing your professional accomplishments and resonating with the mission and values of the prospective organization. Throughout this article, we’ve provided guidelines to help you do just that. Now, let’s delve into some tailored examples for various categories, beginning with a Social Worker possessing experience.

Social Worker Cover Letter (With Experience)

Experienced Social Workers bring a wealth of practical knowledge and a proven track record to their roles. Their cover letters should reflect not only their skill set but also a deep understanding of socio-cultural nuances and a history of impactful service.

Here’s how an experienced Social Worker can articulate this:

Jackson Martinez 245 Willow Lane San Diego, CA, 92101 [email protected] 619-555-1234

October 20, 2023

Ms. Jane Richardson Director of Social Services Hope and Heal Foundation 45 Charity Lane La Jolla, CA, 92037

Dear Ms. Richardson,

I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Social Worker position at Hope and Heal Foundation, as listed on your website. My extensive background of over seven years in social work positions me uniquely to contribute effectively to your team, specifically with my expertise in case management and the development of community-oriented programs.

In my previous role at Better Tomorrow Services, I initiated a program that focused on the rehabilitation of homeless individuals, successfully facilitating the reintegration of over 450 persons into community living over two years. This achievement was not just a professional milestone but also a personal one, highlighting my commitment to creating sustainable social change.

I have been particularly impressed by Hope and Heal Foundation’s work in child welfare, notably the “Children First” program. My prior experience managing a project that resulted in a 30% reduction in juvenile delinquency rates aligns with your organization’s objectives, and I am excited about the prospect of contributing to such meaningful work.

Additionally, my work with diverse cultural groups emphasizes my dedication to cultural competency, an aspect I know is valued at your foundation. This experience reinforces my holistic approach to social work, ensuring every individual’s unique circumstances are considered and respected.

I am eager to bring my experience and passion for social work to Hope and Heal Foundation and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with your organization’s mission.

Jackson Martinez  LCSW.

Social Worker Cover Letter (No Experience)

Entering the world of social work without direct experience can feel daunting, but remember: everyone starts somewhere. Your cover letter, in this scenario, should emphasize your academic achievements, any relevant coursework, internships, and most importantly, your passion and commitment to the field.

Here’s a cover letter tailored for an aspiring Social Worker with no professional experience.

Aria Sinclair 368 Park Street Nashville, TN, 37203 [email protected] 615-555-5678

Mr. John Smith Hiring Manager Community Bridge Foundation 456 Unity Street Franklin, TN, 37064

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Entry-Level Social Worker position at Community Bridge Foundation, as detailed on your organization’s website. While I am a recent graduate and have not had professional experience as a Social Worker, I am equipped with rigorous academic training, relevant internships, and an unyielding passion for advocating for underserved communities.

During my Master’s in Social Work at State University, I specialized in family and child welfare. My coursework in trauma-informed care and community outreach gave me profound insights into the complexities and challenges faced by many families. My internship at Bright Futures Counseling Center further allowed me to apply these academic learnings in real-world settings. Here, I collaborated closely with seasoned Social Workers in devising individualized care plans and conducting group therapy sessions.

I am particularly drawn to Community Bridge Foundation due to your focus on child welfare and educational outreach. My thesis, which revolved around early intervention strategies for at-risk youth, aligns well with your organization’s mission. I believe this research, combined with my hands-on internship experience, positions me well to contribute meaningfully to your team.

Despite not having formal job experience, my exposure to diverse communities during my fieldwork has fostered my cultural competency skills. I am dedicated to understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by different community groups and am eager to learn and grow with Community Bridge Foundation.

Thank you for considering my application. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of starting my professional journey with an esteemed organization like yours and would be grateful for an opportunity to discuss how my academic background and fervor for social work can align with your goals.

Aria Sinclair MSW

Related Article: For further guidance, consider checking out our article on crafting a compelling cover letter with no experience in the field .

Mental Health Social Worker Cover Letter

Mental health social work is a specialized field within the broad area of social work that requires a thorough understanding of psychological frameworks and social intervention techniques. If you are applying for a position in this field, your cover letter should emphasize your expertise, any relevant training, and most importantly, your understanding of the complex difficulties faced by individuals with mental health issues.

Here is a tailored example for a Mental Health Social Worker .

Liam O’Connor 782 Elmwood Drive Boston, MA, 02124 [email protected] 617-555-9012

Dr. Amanda Jackson Director of Mental Health Services Harmony Wellness Center 789 Serenity Avenue Cambridge, MA, 02138

Dear Dr. Jackson,

I am reaching out to express my sincere interest in the Mental Health Social Worker position at Harmony Wellness Center, as featured on your institution’s website. With a Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on mental health and five years of hands-on experience at Renew Hope Clinic, I have honed my skills in providing comprehensive support to individuals navigating the challenges of mental health disorders.

During my tenure at Renew Hope Clinic, I managed caseloads of over 50 clients, ranging from individuals with anxiety and depression to those dealing with more severe conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. I collaborated with a multidisciplinary team, ensuring each client received holistic care tailored to their specific needs. Notably, I spearheaded a group therapy initiative that enhanced the coping mechanisms of 80% of its participants, as evidenced by subsequent evaluations.

Harmony Wellness Center’s progressive approach to integrating therapeutic modalities with community engagement stands out in the mental health community. I am particularly impressed with your “Community Minds” program, which resonates with a project I led, focusing on destigmatizing mental health in urban communities. Our endeavors resulted in a 25% increase in community members seeking support.

My commitment goes beyond professional expertise; it is deeply personal. Advocating for mental health and offering a beacon of hope to those in the shadows of society has been my driving force. I am eager to contribute to and learn from the dedicated team at Harmony Wellness Center.

I would be honored to further discuss how my experience in mental health social work aligns with the vision and needs of your esteemed center.

Warm regards,

Liam O’Connor LCSW

Healthcare Social Worker Cover Letter

Healthcare Social Workers play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between medical professionals and patients, ensuring that the latter’s socio-emotional needs are met alongside their medical care. If you’re venturing into this specialization, your cover letter should underscore your understanding of medical terminologies, patient advocacy, and the intricacies of navigating the healthcare system.

Let’s dive into a cover letter designed specifically for a Healthcare Social Worker .

Oscar Ruiz 821 Oak Avenue Miami, FL, 33125 [email protected] 305-555-4567

Mrs. Clara Mitchell Head of Patient Services MediCare Hospital 101 Healing Drive Coral Gables, FL, 33134

Dear Mrs. Mitchell,

I am reaching out to present my candidacy for the Healthcare Social Worker role at MediCare Hospital, as advertised on your hospital’s careers page. Boasting a blend of medical social work training from Prestigious University and three years of applied experience at City Health Clinic, I am well-versed in complementing medical treatments with holistic social care, ensuring that patients are supported both physically and emotionally.

At City Health Clinic, I collaborated closely with medical professionals, patients, and their families. I facilitated patient intake, designed care plans to address non-medical needs, and provided counseling to those dealing with chronic illnesses. One of my proudest achievements was the development of a post-operative support group which saw a 30% increase in patients’ adherence to rehabilitation protocols, significantly enhancing recovery rates.

MediCare Hospital’s reputation for patient-centered care deeply resonates with my professional ethos. Your innovative “Heal Together” program, which integrates family counseling with patient recovery, mirrors my beliefs in holistic healing. Drawing from my experience in initiating a caregiver support system at City Health Clinic, I am eager to contribute and expand similar endeavors at MediCare.

The combination of my academic background in healthcare social work, hands-on experience in patient support, and my unwavering commitment to holistic patient care positions me as an ideal candidate for this role. I am excited at the prospect of joining MediCare Hospital and furthering the mission of comprehensive patient care.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to discussing how my skills and experiences align with the healthcare social work needs of MediCare Hospital.

Yours Sincerely, Oscar Ruiz

Cover Letter for Social Work Internship

Social work internships are crucial stepping stones, providing practical experience and aiding in the transition from academic learning to professional contribution. When drafting a cover letter for a social work internship, emphasize your educational background, any relevant volunteer work, and your eagerness to learn and contribute to the organization.

Below is an example specifically crafted for a social work internship application.

Hannah Mitchell 1542 Pine Street Seattle, WA, 98101 [email protected] 206-555-7890

Ms. Rachel Adams Internship Coordinator Helping Hands Agency 1234 Compassion Boulevard Bellevue, WA, 98004

Dear Ms. Adams,

I am enthusiastically writing to apply for the Social Work Intern position at Helping Hands Agency, as advertised on your agency’s website. Currently pursuing my Bachelor’s in Social Work at [University Name], I am eager to apply my academic knowledge in a real-world setting and am particularly drawn to Helping Hands due to its outstanding work in homelessness prevention.

My academic journey has equipped me with a solid foundation in social welfare policies, crisis intervention, and community resources management. Supplementing my coursework, I volunteered at the Local Food Bank, where I interacted directly with individuals facing food insecurity. This experience not only fortified my communication skills but also deepened my commitment to social justice and welfare.

Helping Hands Agency’s comprehensive approach to combating homelessness through advocacy, education, and direct service provision aligns perfectly with my career aspirations. I am especially interested in your “Pathway Home” program, and I see a valuable opportunity to contribute while gaining hands-on experience in case management and resource coordination, critical aspects of my future career.

I bring to the table a strong academic background, practical volunteer experiences, and a profound desire to learn and make a difference. I am confident that these attributes make me a strong candidate for the Social Work Intern position at Helping Hands Agency.

Thank you for considering my application. I am very excited about the opportunity to work with and learn from the dedicated professionals at Helping Hands. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my application with you further.

Hannah Mitchell BSW Candidate

About the Author

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Social Work Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2024

• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Text Examples

How To Write a Social Work Cover Letter

When writing your social work cover letter, focus on how you can help the hiring organization’s clients address and overcome life challenges. Also, emphasize your related skills like crisis intervention or program development. This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as a social worker.

Social Work Cover Letter Templates and Examples

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

Social Work Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples

Malachi Barrett Social Worker | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 555 Home Ave., San Francisco, CA 90123

February 8, 2024

Katherine Skinner Senior Hiring Manager United Health Systems (654) 321-0987 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Skinner,

My proudest career accomplishment was increasing health care plan adherence for clients on my caseload by 56% in 2023. My commitment to providing personalized health education and a sensitive approach to client care made this achievement possible. I am excited to offer the same excellent service to patients at United Health Systems.

United Health’s reputation for outstanding patient care and effective protection of vulnerable clients appeals to me as a professional and dedicated social worker. My extensive knowledge and warm communication style make me an ideal candidate. Examples of my recent achievements include:

• Efficiently planned for high-risk patient discharges to reduce hospital readmittance by 24% in 2023
• Acted promptly on feedback received during patient conferences to improve satisfaction ratings by 40% in three months
• Received praise from senior colleagues four times in 2023 for correctly identifying and intervening in neglect cases

I would like to explain further how my leadership experience can help the RE Family Services advocate team improve outcomes for even more vulnerable children and their families. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to arrange an interview.

Malachi Barrett

Brent Larson Lead Family Services Advocate | [email protected] | (123) 345-6789 | 789 Address Rd., Billings, MT 78901

February 10, 2024

Chelsea Huang Senior Hiring Manager RE Family Services (678) 901-2345 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Huang,

In 2020, I developed a risk assessment model that improved child neglect detection by 60% and was replicated across multiple counties. This work earned me a shortlisting for an NASW Social Worker of the Year award. I hope to use my excellent assessment skills to create supportive and effective family treatment plans to benefit RE Family Services’ clients.

I understand that RE Family Services is seeking an individual with extensive experience in parental education and the ability to lead teams of advocates to improve vulnerable children’s lives. My 9+ years’ experience and commitment to child welfare are perfectly aligned with your organization’s core values. My recent accomplishments include:

• Successfully supporting numerous families to access benefits and housing assistance.
• Designing and delivering a child safety education program for parents that reduced accidental injuries of vulnerable children by 65%.
• Training three new advocates to support at-risk families with household budgeting and healthy meal planning.

Brent Larson

JoAnn Cole Social Worker | [email protected] | (716) 123-4567 | 5555 West Fourth St., Buffalo, NY 14206

January 1, 2024

Robert Long Case Management Supervisor Crossway Center (716) 000-1111 [email protected]

Dear Mr. Long,

As a lead case manager with increasing levels of responsibility, I continually maintain an agency record of youth turnaround rates through consistent client motivation. My commitment to building up youth from difficult circumstances drives my success in social work. I would love to bring that same passion to Crossway Center as a licensed senior social worker.

I strongly believe in Crossway Center’s vision of empowering the most vulnerable. In my 15-year career, I have demonstrated the qualities you are looking for in a senior social worker, including:

• Collaboration: Over the past eight years, developed innovative youth programs with fellow case managers, resulting in 50 successful substance abuse treatment referrals
• Effectiveness: Motivated 80% of potential high school dropouts to complete their diplomas during my current position
• Leadership: Supervised 10 case managers for four years, earning Employee of the Month multiple times for exemplary service and work ethic

I would like to meet with you to discuss how my active listening skills, level-headedness and insight can impart hope to your clients. Please contact me to set up an interview at your earliest convenience.

Best regards,

A great social work cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section back to your defining skills and the employer’s hiring needs. The following advice and examples show what to include in your cover letter so it’s optimized for each job application.

At the top of the page, include your resume contact header, the date, and any contact details you have for your recipient. To set a clear professional focus, add the title “Social Worker” to your contact header. (Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter as an email message and your contact information is part of your signature.)

2. Salutation

Whenever you can, address your recipient by name – it’s the quickest way to signal you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each job opening.

Dear Social Work Hiring Manager:

Dear RE Family Services Manager:

3. “Hook” or introduction

Catch the reader’s attention by starting your letter with a clear example of your success as a social worker. Choose a highlight that shows your dedication to helping people navigate life changes and problems. In the social work cover letter sample below, see how the applicant cites her high youth turnaround rate as a preview of the impact she’d make at the hiring organization.

4. Body paragraph(s)

Use the main section of your letter to tell why you’re drawn to this social work job or employer. For example, maybe the role involves connecting parents to child care options and resources, a key focus of your past work. Or maybe the organization’s stated mission and values resonate with you.

Following this explanation, cite a few more of your main skills or achievements , possibly as bullet points.

5. Call to action

Finally, request an interview for the social work position. Consider briefly restating your commitment to helping individuals address challenges in their lives. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.

Social Work Cover Letter Tips

1. highlight your defining strengths.

As part of your letter’s body text, add a short list of bullet points to show your success in key work areas for your field, such as teamwork or program development.

In my 15-year career, I have demonstrated the qualities you are looking for in a senior social worker, including:

2. Show you can adapt to each person's circumstance

Social work often requires sensitivity to the unique complexities of a person’s life situation. Feature this skill on your cover letter if it reflects your career background and the social work jobs you’re pursuing.

3. Mention your other relevant traits

Desired qualities in social workers also include compassion, patience, organization, and resourcefulness. Consider which of these traits best describe you, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.

Social Work Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions

Do i really need a cover letter for my job search -.

Yes, in most cases. Job postings today usually require or allow you to send a cover letter along with your resume. While not every hiring manager reads or prioritizes them, a well-crafted letter can only help you stand out from other applicants. It will also help you clarify what points to emphasize during the interview.

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 . They also set the stage for a good interview discussion about how you fit the role and the office’s work culture.

How can I make my cover letter introduction stand out? -

When possible, network. Start your letter by citing any connections you have with your recipient. If someone at the organization alerted you to the job, use a line like "I was excited to hear from your colleague [Name] about [organization]'s new social worker position." Or, if you've already met your recipient, mention that with a line like "It was great speaking with you at the [event] last month."

Craft a new cover letter in minutes

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Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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Excellent Cover Letter Examples For a Social Worker

Working as a social worker is both challenging and rewarding. The career growth rate is much higher than average, so you should have an easier time securing your next position.

Trained social workers use their skills to help children, the elderly, the poor, the disabled, and other populations in need of services. Getting an interview is the first step in landing the position that is right for your experience and skills. That process starts with a great resume and cover letter.

If you’ve already downloaded one of our Microsoft Word resume templates , you’re off to a great start. Next, you need to compose a cover letter that shows the hiring manager how passionate you are about the position, and what skills and experience you possess. To help you get started, we’ll provide some tips, then follow that up with cover letter examples for social work.

How to Write a Social Work Cover Letter

To create a compeling cover letter, focus on three core things:

• Research the organization you are applying to. Specifically, learn the name, title of the hiring person. Then look into the org’s most notable projects and key areas of focus? Are there any overlaps with your career or personal background? Do certain values resonate most with you? What skills and experiences are they looking for? Jot down all of the above. 
• Craft a compelling opening. Open your social work cover letter with a strong introductory statement, detailing what opportunity you apply for and what’s your main motivation. Mention one core skill and experience that is the most relevant to the position to pique the reader’s interest. 
• Work on the body of your cover letter. Use the main section of your cover letter to detail your most relevant experiences and skills. Share an accomplishment or your most successful program. Or bring in a personal experience or quick story to contextualize your expertise.
• Close confidently. End your cover letter with a quick statement, prompting follow-up action — an interview callback, reference request, etc. 
• Edit for clarity. Once you are done, give your cover letter a final sweep. Check for mistakes and typos, remove redundancies, trim long-winded sentences. Each sentence in your cover letter should clearly communicate what makes you the optimal fit for the job. 

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be for Social Work?

A solid cover letter for a social worker should not be one page long — an equivalent of 200-250 words in a 12-size font. It’s okay to offer a somewhat shorter cover letter — about 100-150 words — if you send it over by email, rather than as a standalone attachment. 

Bite-Sized Cover Letter Tips For Social Workers

Here are a few tips to help ensure that your cover letter is attention-grabbing, sincere, and motivates the hiring manager to make the next move!

• Highlight the qualifications that are most relevant to the position
• Use acronyms and titles that will stand out to the hiring manager
• Make it scannable. The hiring manager should be able to learn all of the important information they need – at a glance.
• Expand on the information in your resume – this is your  chance to include engaging details that make you a more interesting applicant
• Use keywords – companies often use applicant tracking software to check for certain words and phrases. Review the job listing for pertinent keywords and include those in your cover letter
• Edit carefully to show you pay attention to details
• Customize your cover letter for each social worker position for which you are applying
• Use an acceptable business letter format for your cover letter

Most importantly, follow the directions for submitting your resume and cover letter. If they want you to mail in a paper copy, do that. If they request that you email a PDF version, then send it in that format. Don’t be tempted to do something else in hopes that you will stand out or get attention. These procedures are often in place to ensure that regulations are followed during the hiring process.

A Cover Letter Sample For Social Workers (Word version)

Download cover letter (.docx)

A Cover Letter Sample For Social Workers (text version)

Dear Ms. Bullock,

I am very excited for the opportunity to apply for the position of Social Worker at the Chicago Regional Office of the Department of Social Services. When I read the job listing on Glassdoor.com, I realized that my experience and career goals would make me a perfect fit for this position.

I am currently working as a deputy social worker at the division of juvenile corrections. My duties include running group therapy sessions, assisting youthful offenders as they transition back to their home communities, career training education, and social skills training. I also work closely with the juvenile office of probation and parole helping to ensure that youthful offenders have the resources they need to avoid recidivism.

Due to my work in an Illinois state agency, I am experienced with many of the computer systems and reporting requirements that are used within the department of social services as well as my own agency. I have completed ABC Training as required by the state of Illinois. I have also obtained my DEF Certification.

I received my BA degree in Social Work from Eastern University with a Minor in Criminal Justice. As part of my coursework, I completed a 12-week internship with the Department of Social Services, Department of Rehabilitation. I am currently working on my Masters of Clinical Social Work with an estimated graduation date of June 2019.

With two years of working experience in social services, familiarity with the Illinois state department of social services, and previous social services internships, I believe I have the qualifications required for this position. Further, I believe my work record shows that I have a history of helping disadvantaged populations by combining compassion along with proven strategies. In my work with the division of juvenile corrections, I spearheaded a mentorship program between employers in the construction trades industry and juvenile offenders.

I would love the opportunity to use my skills and experience to help low-income families in the Chicago area utilize the resources available to them to improve their quality of life. I would be honored to meet with you personally to further discuss my qualifications. Thank you for your consideration.

Alexandra Hurley

Social Worker Case Manager Cover Letter Example (Word)

Download cover letter example (.docx)

Cover Letter for Social Worker Case Manager: Sample 

Dear Capt. Miller,

My name is Darryl Reed and I am writing this letter to express interest in the position of social worker case manager at the Department of Veteran’s Services. As a veteran myself, and case manager with more than five years of experience, I believe that I am strongly suited for this role. 

I obtained my MSW from Kentucky college as part of the Military Scholars program in 2014. Since then, I have worked with the Kentucky Division of Human Services. I began my career as a caseworker and was eventually promoted to the position of case manager two years ago. My duties include managing level 1 cases and supervising caseworkers who were in charge of level 2 and 3 cases. My clients largely included members of the homeless and disabled population. On average, half or more of them were veterans.

My duties at the Division of Human Services include assisting my clients in finding educational opportunities, working with them to obtain appropriate benefits including disability, facilitating medical claims paperwork, and acting as a liaison between my office and the VA. I also assist with job training and search efforts.

I’m very passionate about ensuring that every veteran is able to secure any help they need to make a successful transition to civilian life, just like myself several years prior. That’s why I am keenly interested in this position. Please contact me at your convenience to schedule an interview. I look forward to meeting with you.

Respectfully, Darryl Reed.

Do I Need to Add a Cover Letter When Applying for Social Work Grad School Internships?

Yes, even if the internship posting says that the cover letter is optional , it’s still best to provide at least a short one. Why? Because a cover letter provides you an extra opportunity to “plead your case” — share your interest and motivation in this particular internship, provide extra context around your educational and professional background, plus offer some personal tidbits that can help you stand out from the sea of other applicants. After all, social work grad school internships are highly competitive as others from your class will likely go after the same opportunities. Thus, a compelling cover letter to your application package is a nice final touch. 

What Careers are Similar to Social Work?

Social work is a broad career path by itself with different opportunities for specialization — from working with minors or the elderly to pursuing diversity-oriented initiatives, or helping minority groups. Likewise, you can work for different types of public and privately-owned organizations, educational institutions, and even in clinical settings. However, if you are looking for similar or alternative careers to social work, here are several options worth considering:

• Student Counseling
• Social and Community Service Jobs 
• Diversity and Inclusion (D&E) Specialists
• Social Program Manager or Coordinator
• Settlement Worker
• Mediator or Arbitrator 
• Family Investigator or Parental Responsibilities Evaluator 
• Probation Officer 

Can Social Workers Make 6 Figures?

Yes, but definitely not in the early stages of the social work career. Experienced social workers, mainly employed in the private sector (e.g. by insurance companies or brokerages) or by large privately-funded institutions such as surgical hospitals or international agencies, can receive annual compensation of six figures or more. Typically, candidates with a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree tend to earn at least $15,000 more per year and have better job prospects. 

What are the Highest Paying Jobs in Social Work?

Some of the best-paid social work specialists are usually working in the medical field or for federal agencies. Based on our research on popular career websites such as Indeed, we found that the following roles are offered an above-average compensation of $80K+ annually: 

• VA social worker 
• Director of health and human services
• Social work program manager 
• D&E consultant 
• Equal employment specialist 
• Director for vocational rehabilitation services 
• Learning and development consultants 
• Manager of family support programs

Final Thoughts

When writing a cover letter for social work, focus on your unique strengths and experiences. The samples above expertly weave the applicants’ deep motivation for the role into their career narrative. In the very beginning, the letter lists the key skills and duties at the current position – those could be strategically matched to include some of the skills/job requirements listed in the original posting – to draw the reader’s attention to the fact that you are an “ideal” match. The letters further include a brief recap of the person’s educational credentials and additional training programs, before circling back to the current work experience and achievements.

Customize this letter with your personal information and file it along with your professional resume. And if you haven’t designed one yet, browse our resume+cover letter template bundles .

Last update: September 10, 2021

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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Social Worker Cover Letter Example (W/ Templates & Tips for 2024)

You've come a long way from when you first realized you wanted to help people and improve their lives.

Your dedication to understanding and helping others has been the driving force behind your journey to becoming a social worker. That passion that prompted late-night studies and countless hours of fieldwork is finally about to pay off.

However, there's just one tiny obstacle that's proving to be more challenging than you expected: crafting an attention-grabbing social worker cover letter.

Facing the empty page that should show off your dedication, skills, and the difference you aim to make feels a bit like navigating the complexities of a case without any background information. 

But worry not!

In this article, we’re going to guide you through the steps you should take to represent your social work prowess on paper.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Social Worker Cover Letter Example

• 5 Steps to Writing an Impactful Social Worker Cover Letter
• 3 Essential Social Work Cover Letter Tips

...and so much more!

Let's dive right in!

5 Steps for the Perfect Social Worker Cover Letter

So, you've just read a social worker cover letter that seals the deal. 

Ready to write your own stellar cover letter ? Just follow the steps below: 

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

Kick off your cover letter with your contact information and position it at the header, much like how you'd set it up on your resume .

Here’s what to include:

• Full Name: Start by listing your first name and surname right at the top.
• Professional Title: Align the title on your cover letter with the specific social worker position you're eyeing. The hiring manager is likely going through stacks of applications for various roles, so it’s super helpful when you're clear about the specific role you're applying for.
• Email Address: Go for a professional email address, ideally a mix of your first and last name. Remember, that fun email from your teen years? Maybe not the best pick here. So, while "[email protected]" might give someone a chuckle, it's better to stick with something like "[email protected]."
• Phone Number: Write down your phone number correctly and if you're branching out to international roles, make sure to add the dial code too. 
• Location: Your city and state or country generally cover it. But if you’re on the hunt for remote roles or you're eyeing a big move, make that known.
• Relevant Links (Optional): You might want to include any fitting websites, publications, or profiles, like your LinkedIn .

Now, it’s time to list the hiring manager's details.

Here’s your go-to list:

• Organization Name: Pen down the name of the agency, nonprofit, or institution you're reaching out to.  
• Hiring Manager’s Name: If you can dig it up, list the name of the hiring manager or department head. A quick peek at the job post, the organization’s site, or LinkedIn might give you the scoop.  
• Hiring Manager’s Title: Found the right person? If you see they are the "Director of Child Welfare Services," for example, use that specific title. It’s a bit more personal than calling them the generic "Hiring Manager."   
• Location: Stick to the city and state or country, especially if they have multiple locations. If you want to add a bit more detail, the street address works.  
• Email Address (Optional): If you've found the hiring manager’s email, it’s a neat detail to add.  
• Date of Writing (Optional): Dropping in the date you crafted your cover letter adds that sprinkle of professionalism.

Here’s a bunch of cover letter examples to check that can further inspire you to craft the perfect cover letter. 

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

After jotting down all the essential contact details, it’s time to address the hiring manager .

How you address your cover letter can add a personal touch to your cover letter and make you a more memorable candidate.

Kick things off with a bit of detective work. Scope out the job posting, the company's website, or LinkedIn to unearth the hiring manager for the social work role you're eyeing. This can help you find their name and perhaps even their email.

Then, keep things polite and professional - but steer clear from the age-old "To Whom It May Concern," though. That's so last century! It's typically a good move to use "Ms." or "Mr.," followed by their surname. But if you're in the dark about their gender or marital status, just write down their entire name. For instance:

• Dear Mr. Rodriguez,
• Dear Jordan Rodriguez,

Hit a dead-end and can't unearth details about the hiring manager or the head of the social work team? 

No stress! 

Simply address your letter to the broader department or the organization as a whole:

• Dear Social Work Department,
• Dear Social Work Hiring Crew,
• Dear Human Resources Selection Team,
• Dear Chief of Social Work,

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Selection committees often spend only about seven seconds skimming a social work applicant's materials before determining its worth for a more thorough review.

That's why it's paramount to make a striking first impression with your social worker cover letter.

Kickstart your letter by introducing yourself and stating precisely why you're drawn to the position. Highlighting your genuine passion for the field and the specific role can captivate the hiring manager.

Another smart move is to familiarize yourself with the organization or agency you're applying to. The more insights you have about them, the better you can emphasize your alignment with their mission and values. This thoughtful approach indicates to the selection committee that you're not just scattering applications in the wind, but are genuinely vested in this particular role.

Depending on your professional experience in social work, you might want to lead with a significant contribution you've made or underline the skills that earmark you as the ideal candidate for the role.

However, keep things concise. Your aim should be to ignite the hiring manager’s interest, prompting them to explore the entirety of your cover letter without overwhelming them from the get-go.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The body of your cover letter is where you can delve into detail about what makes you the right fit for the role. 

It's essential here to refrain from merely echoing your social worker resume . This part should vividly display your expertise in social work and the unique strengths you bring to the table. Your primary goal is to assure the hiring manager that you're not just another candidate but the right fit for their team. 

Reference any significant interventions, cases, or community programs you've been a part of, and anchor these experiences to the specifics of the job posting.

One way to do this is by checking the job listing. If the role emphasizes trauma-informed care, child welfare, or substance abuse counseling, for instance, highlight your experiences and skills in those areas rather than other unrelated experiences.

Being well-informed about the organization’s objectives, community initiatives, or therapeutic approach can be advantageous. If you've had experiences or training that align with their methodologies or have a familiarity with the populations they serve, highlight that. This underscores your genuine interest and how you resonate with their organizational ethos and mission.

Lastly, let your passion for social work and helping others come through. Emphasize your eagerness for the role and your firm belief in making a meaningful difference through your specific skills and insights.

Make sure to also avoid these common cover letter mistakes at all costs while you’re at it! 

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Concluding your cover letter with finesse can make all the difference for an aspiring social worker.

It's pivotal to ensure that your closing remarks reaffirm the positive impression you've worked hard to build throughout your letter. You wouldn't want the hiring manager second-guessing any of the valuable points you've made.

In your conclusion, confidently reiterate the reasons that make you an ideal candidate for the social work role, or highlight those experiences that distinctly set you apart from others in the field.

Following your recap, usher in a call to action. Encourage the hiring manager to talk in more detail about how you’d be a perfect fit for the organization. This proactive approach can increase your chances of securing an interview.

Finally, wrap up your letter with an air of professionalism. Opt for a fitting valediction, then pen down your full name. Here’s an example:

I'm available at the listed email or contact number to discuss any further details or set up an interview. I eagerly await an opportunity to explore my candidacy more comprehensively at your convenience.

Warm regards,

If you feel "Warm regards" is commonplace, here are a few alternatives to consider:

• Yours sincerely,
• With appreciation,
• In gratitude,
• Thank you for your time and consideration,

3 Essential Social Worker Cover Letter Tips

Now that you're armed with the basics of crafting a standout cover letter, let's dive into some key cover letter tips tailored specifically for social workers to give yours that extra shine:

#1. Match Your Resume

When you're in the process of applying for a role as a social worker, it's crucial to keep your application consistent - both visually and in terms of content.

That’s why we recommend your resume and cover letter match each other as much as possible, especially in terms of formatting and layout. 

If they don't, you might come across as messy and unstructured.

It's important to neatly align your text and contact information on your cover letter and make sure you’re using the same font size and style in both documents. Be attentive to things like margins and line spacing too. 

Lastly, always aim to keep your cover letter within a single page - just like you would your resume.

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Short on time? No stress. 

Use our free resume builder to create the perfect social worker resume. 

Then pick a matching cover letter template to save time and effort.

All of our templates are made with the help of hiring managers from around the globe, ensuring every detail fits industry standards. So, besides saving time, you're adding a professionally designed, matching cover letter to your resume. It's a win-win!

#2. Be Enthusiastic 

Now, let's talk about enthusiasm. It can shift the whole dynamic of your cover letter, and it's simpler to transmit than you might think. 

Contrary to popular belief, an enthusiastic cover letter doesn't mean lavishing the company you're applying to with over-the-top compliments. Really, it's all about projecting a positive and passionate attitude about your role as a social worker.

Enthusiasm within a cover letter is important for a number of reasons. Hiring managers often use it as a barometer to gauge your personality and your genuine interest in the job. When they read your cover letter and see how excited you are, they are more likely to see you as a motivated candidate who truly values the role of a social worker.

By portraying passion and excitement about your work, you indirectly show a dedicated and positive approach to your profession. This can distinguish you from other candidates who may view the job simply as a means to an end.

However, while enthusiasm is critical, remember not to tip the balance towards arrogance. Your confidence should not translate into overconfidence. Avoid excessive self-praise or flattery towards the company. 

#3. Be Formal

Professionalism is key when it comes to cover letters, and adopting a formal tone is a big part of that. But remember, being formal doesn't mean being stiff or robotic - it merely stands for being respectful, clear, and concise in your communication.

Maintaining a formal tone in your cover letter grants an air of professionalism to your application. It shows that you understand and respect the norms and conventions in a professional setting. This contributes to painting a positive image of you as an applicant, increasing your chances of securing a position as a social worker.

A formal tone communicates to the employer that you've taken the time to carefully craft the letter and you value the opportunity to apply for the job. It sends the message that you're not taking this lightly and that you've made a serious effort.

For the best impression, aim for a cover letter that is structured, clear, respectful, and shows you’re serious about the role - but without falling into the pitfalls of being either overly formal or impersonal. Juggle your words wisely, and you'll give the hiring managers exactly what they're looking for.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap on the perfect social worker cover letter! We hope our example will inspire you to create one that helps you secure your dream position right away.

Before you begin drafting your letter, here are some key takeaways from the article:

• Start your social worker cover letter by including your contact information and that of the hiring manager. Double-check that your details are accurate to make sure the hiring manager can contact you for an interview.
• Craft an engaging opening paragraph in your social worker cover letter to capture the hiring manager's attention and encourage them to read further.
• In the body of your cover letter, elaborate on your significant achievements and relevant skills for the position you're applying for.
• Include a call to action at the end of your social worker cover letter to prompt the hiring manager to contact you or schedule an interview.
• Lastly, verify that your social worker resume and cover letter match in terms of style and visual appearance. If you're short on time to ensure consistency, consider selecting one of our resume templates and a matching cover letter template.

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9 Professional Social Worker Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your social worker cover letter must demonstrate your commitment to serving the community. It needs to highlight your empathy and competence in addressing social issues. Showcase your ability to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds. Provide examples that reflect your skills in case management and advocacy.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Social Work Student

Social Work Intern

Entry-Level Social Worker

Medical Social Worker Ii

School Social Worker

Associate Social Worker

Clinical Social Worker

Nursing Home Social Worker

Cover letter guide.

Social Worker Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Social Worker Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

By Experience

Embarking on your job hunt, you’ve found that a compelling social worker cover letter is a must—but crafting one can be daunting. It's not just an echo of your resume; it must weave a narrative around your proudest professional triumph without wandering into clichés. Remember to keep it concise; a single page that combines formality with your personal story can open doors. Let’s walk through how to create a cover letter that stands out in a pile.

• Create a social worker cover letter to persuade the recruiters you're the best candidate for the role;
• Use industry-leading social worker cover letter templates and examples to save time;
• Dedicate your social worker cover letter space to your best achievement;
• Make sure your social worker cover letter meets recruiters' expectations and standards.

Avoid starting at the blank page for hours by using Enhancv's AI - just upload your resume and your social worker cover letter will be ready for you to (tweak and) submit for your dream job.

If the social worker isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Social Worker resume guide and example
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• Medical Assistant cover letter example
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• Certified Medical Assistant cover letter example
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Social Worker cover letter example

Andrew Clark

Kansas City, Missouri

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Highlighting past achievements that align with the organization's mission (e.g., development and implementation of a client assessment protocol) showcases the applicant's initiative and relevant experience.
• Emphasizing quantifiable improvements (e.g., streamlining the intake process by 20%, managing a caseload effectively) provides a clear demonstration of the candidate's capability to bring positive changes to the organization.
• Mentioning specific skills (e.g., strategic problem-solving, empathetic communication style) identifies the candidate's strengths and suitability for the role.
• Expressing alignment with the organization's values and goals (e.g., commitment to enhancing community well-being) illustrates the candidate's cultural fit and motivation for the role.

What about your social worker cover letter format: organizing and structuring your information

Here is one secret you should know about your social worker cover letter assessment. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't analyze your cover letter.

You should thus focus on making an excellent impression on recruiters by writing consistent:

• Introduction
• Body paragraphs (and explanation)
• Promise or Call to action
• Signature (that's optional)

Now, let's talk about the design of your social worker cover letter.

Ensure all of your paragraphs are single-spaced and have a one-inch margins on all sides (like in our cover letter templates ).

Also, our cover letter builder automatically takes care of the format and comes along with some of the most popular (and modern) fonts like Volkhov, Chivo, and Bitter.

Speaking of fonts, professionals advise you to keep your social worker cover letter and resume in the same typography and avoid the over-used Arial or Times New Roman.

When wondering whether you should submit your social worker cover letter in Doc or PDF, select the second, as PDF keeps all of your information and design consistent.

The top sections on a social worker cover letter

Header: Include your name, contact information, and the date, ensuring the recruiter knows who you are and how to reach you and establishing a professional look in your cover letter.

Salutation: Address the letter to the specific hiring manager or recruiter when possible, as personalized greetings are more engaging and show that you've done your homework about the agency or organization.

Introduction: Start with a brief introduction that not only states the job you're applying for, but also highlights your passion for social work and any relevant credential or experience that is specifically beneficial in this field.

Body Paragraph(s): Detail your relevant experience and key accomplishments in social work, including any specialized skills or successful interventions that would be of interest to the employer, showcasing your direct impact on client well-being and community improvement.

Closing Paragraph: Reiterate your enthusiasm for the position, thank the reader for their consideration, and express your desire to discuss your application further in an interview, leaving a confident and respectful last impression.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Empathy and Compassion: To understand and relate to the clients' emotional states and circumstances, fostering a trusting relationship.
• Crisis Intervention Skills: To effectively manage and navigate clients through emergencies and immediate social or mental health issues.
• Advocacy and Knowledge of Social Justice Issues: To champion clients' rights and provide informed support on issues such as poverty, discrimination, and access to services.
• Multicultural Competency: To effectively work with diverse populations and respect cultural differences in practice.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: To engage with clients, colleagues, and other professionals, facilitating dialogue and collaboration.
• Case Management Experience: To coordinate care effectively, linking clients with appropriate resources, and managing a caseload efficiently.

How to personalize your social worker cover letter greeting

Before you start writing your social worker cover letter, take the time to find out who is recruiting for the role.

Search for the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or the corporate website to address them personally in your social worker cover letter salutation .

What if you can't find out who's recruiting for the role?

Always aim to avoid the very impersonal "Dear Sir/Madam" - instead, opt out for "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager" to make a better first impression.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Specific Name of the Hiring Manager],
• Dear [Department] Team,
• Dear [Company Name] Hiring Committee,
• Dear Human Resources Director,
• Dear [Job Title Search Committee],

How to start your social worker cover letter introduction

The opening paragraph of your social worker cover letter can seem like a real enigma.

Where do you start writing ?

In your social worker cover letter introduction, focus on yourself by stating what:

• gets you motivated and excited about the role;
• you like best about the company, from culture to awards.

Write no more than two sentences, which are both authentic and show your enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Structuring your social worker cover letter body to add more value

You've hinted at your value as a professional (this may be your passion for the job or interest in the company) in your introduction.

Next, it's time to pan out the body or middle of your social worker cover letter .

When creating your resume, you've probably gone over the advert a million times to select the most relevant skills.

Well, it's time to repeat this activity. Or just copy and paste your previous list of job-crucial requirements.

Then, select one of your past accomplishments, which is relevant and would impress hiring managers.

Write between three and six paragraphs to focus on the value your professional achievement would bring to your potential, new organization.

Tell a story around your success that ultimately shows off your real value as a professional.

Closing paragraph basics: choose between a promise and a call to action

You've done all the hard work - congratulations! You've almost reached the end of your social worker cover letter .

But how do you ensure recruiters, who have read your application this far, remember you?

Most social worker professionals end their cover letter with a promise - hinting at their potential and what they plan on achieving if they're hired.

Another option would be to include a call for follow-up, where you remind recruiters that you're very interested in the opportunity (and look forward to hearing from them, soon).

Choose to close your social worker cover letter in the way that best fits your personality.

Keep this in mind when writing your zero experience social worker cover letter

Even though you may not have any professional experience , your social worker cover letter should focus on your value.

As a candidate for the particular role, what sort of skills do you bring about? Perhaps you're an apt leader and communicator, or have the ability to analyze situations from different perspectives.

Select one key achievement from your life, outside work, and narrate a story that sells your abilities in the best light.

If you really can't think of any relevant success, you could also paint the picture of how you see your professional future developing in the next five years, as part of the company.

Key takeaways

Your social worker cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:

• Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your social worker cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
• Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your social worker cover letter greeting;
• Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
• Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
• Close your social worker cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.

Social Worker cover letter examples

Explore additional social worker cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

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Entry Level Social Worker Cover Letter Example

Cover letter examples, cover letter guidelines, how to format an entry level social worker cover letter, cover letter header, cover letter header examples for entry level social worker, how to make your cover letter header stand out:, cover letter greeting, cover letter greeting examples for entry level social worker, best cover letter greetings:, cover letter introduction, cover letter intro examples for entry level social worker, how to make your cover letter intro stand out:, cover letter body, cover letter body examples for entry level social worker, how to make your cover letter body stand out:, cover letter closing, cover letter closing paragraph examples for entry level social worker, how to close your cover letter in a memorable way:, pair your cover letter with a foundational resume, key cover letter faqs for entry level social worker.

Begin your Entry Level Social Worker cover letter with a strong, attention-grabbing opening line that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the organization. For example, "I am excited to apply for the Entry Level Social Worker position at [Organization Name], where I can contribute to empowering communities and supporting individuals in need." Immediately follow this with a brief introduction of yourself, highlighting your relevant educational background and any internships or volunteer experiences that have prepared you for a career in social work. This approach demonstrates your passion for the field and your readiness to make a positive impact from the start.

The best way for Entry Level Social Workers to end a cover letter is with a strong closing statement that reiterates their enthusiasm for the position and their commitment to contributing positively to the organization. They should express gratitude for the hiring manager's time and consideration, and include a call to action, inviting the employer to schedule an interview. It's important to maintain a professional tone and to convey confidence in their qualifications, even as entry-level candidates. Here's an example: "Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to bring my dedication and passion for social work to [Organization Name], and I am confident that my educational background and internship experiences have prepared me to make a meaningful impact. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills can contribute to your team. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to arrange an interview." This approach leaves a positive, lasting impression and encourages the next step in the hiring process.

Entry-level social workers should craft a cover letter that highlights their passion for social work, relevant educational background, any practical experience such as internships or volunteer work, key skills, and their understanding of the role and the organization they are applying to. Here's what they should include: 1. **Introduction**: Start with a strong opening that captures the reader's attention. Mention the position you're applying for and how you heard about it. 2. **Educational Background**: Outline your relevant educational qualifications, including your degree in social work or related fields. Highlight any coursework or projects that are particularly relevant to the position. 3. **Internships and Practicum Experience**: Detail any fieldwork or internships you've completed. Discuss specific responsibilities you held and what you learned from these experiences. If you've had the opportunity to work with diverse populations or in different settings (schools, hospitals, community centers), mention this as well. 4. **Volunteer Work and Other Experience**: Include any volunteer work or other experiences that demonstrate your commitment to social work and helping others. Explain how these experiences have prepared you for a career in social work. 5. **Skills**: Emphasize the skills you possess that are crucial for social workers, such as communication, empathy, organization, problem-solving, and advocacy. Provide examples of how you've used these skills in past experiences. 6. **Knowledge of the Organization**: Show that you've done your homework by mentioning something specific about the organization that attracts you to the position. This could be their mission statement, the populations they serve, or particular programs they run. 7. **Professional Values and Ethics**: Social work is a field deeply rooted in a set of core values and ethics. Discuss your understanding of these and how they align with your personal values. 8. **Certifications and Licenses**: If you have obtained any certifications or licenses relevant to the position, such as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SW

Related Cover Letters for Entry Level Social Worker

Hospital social worker cover letter.

Licensed Social Worker Cover Letter

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Social Worker Cover Letter

Entry Level Human Resources Cover Letter

Human Resources Intern Cover Letter

Junior Human Resources Cover Letter

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Hospital social worker resume example.

Licensed Social Worker Resume Example

Medical social worker resume example, social worker resume example, entry level human resources resume example.

Human Resources Intern Resume Example

Junior human resources resume example, hr assistant resume example, try our ai cover letter generator.

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7 Best Social Work Cover Letter Samples [Free]

A great social work cover letter can make all the difference in helping you get an interview. After all, your cover letter is the first thing that potential employers will see. So it’s important to make sure that it’s well-written and engaging.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find seven great social work cover letter samples. These cover letters have been specifically designed for social workers, and they’ll help you to stand out from the competition. Best of all, they’re free to download and use. So why wait? Get started on your job search today by downloading these free cover letter samples.

How To Write a social work cover letter

A social work cover letter is one of the most important parts of your job application packet. This document introduces you to potential employers and demonstrates your interest in and commitment to the social work profession. Your cover letter should be well-written and tailored to the specific social work position you are applying for. In this article, we will provide tips on how to write a social work cover letter that will help you get noticed by potential employers. We will also provide a sample social work cover letter so you can get an idea of what a successful cover letter looks like. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to writing a stellar social work cover letter in no time!

Related How To Write a Cover Letter (And Get Hired in 2022!)

Social Work Cover Letter

To whom it may concern,

Writing to apply for the position of social worker at XYZ Organization. It is a recent graduate of ABC University’s social work program and have previous experience working with clients in a clinical setting. I am passionate about helping others and advocate for social justice. I am confident that I would be an asset to your team and would make a positive impact in the lives of your clients.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Related: 5+ Best Social Media Coordinator Cover Letter

Social Work Cover Letter Example

I am writing in regards to the open social work position at your organization. I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications necessary for the job and would be a valuable asset to your team.

Through my previous work experience, I have developed strong communication and interpersonal skills which I believe would be beneficial in a social work setting. I am also familiar with various social work methods and approaches, and have a genuine interest in helping others.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications and experience further with you. Please do not hesitate to contact me at ___________.

Related: 07 Best Networking Cover letter Samples

Social Worker Cover Letter Sample No Experience

I am writing to apply for the social worker position at XYZ organization. I am a recent graduate of ABC University with a degree in social work and I have a strong interest in working with your organization.

Although I do not have any direct experience working as a social worker, I have completed my internship hours at XYZ organization and I have a strong interest in working with your organization. I am confident that I have the skills and abilities to be a successful social worker and I am eager to learn and grow in this role.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Related: 05+ Professional Law Enforcement Cover Letter Samples

Application Letter For Social Work Fresh Graduate

Writing to apply for the social work graduate program at XYZ University. It is a recent college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in psychology. The interested in pursuing a career in social work because I have a passion for helping others and I want to make a difference in my community.

Have experience working with children and families through my internship at the ABC Center for Family Services. I have also volunteered at various community organizations, such as the XYZ Soup Kitchen and the XYZ homeless shelter. These experiences have taught me the importance of advocacy, communication, and collaboration in social work practice.

I believe that I would be an excellent candidate

for the social work graduate program at XYZ University because of my commitment to helping others, my strong communication skills, and my ability to work effectively as part of a team. I am eager to learn more about social work theory and practice so that I can make a positive impact on the lives of those I serve.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Related: Cover Letter for Fresh Graduate:07 Samples & Examples

Social Work Cover Letter Samples

I am writing to apply for the position of Social Worker at your organization. As a social worker with extensive experience working with children and families, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

In my current role, I provide counseling and support to families dealing with a variety of issues, including abuse, neglect, mental health issues, and poverty. I have a proven track record of helping families to overcome these challenges and improve their lives. I am confident that I could do the same for the families you serve.

In addition to my clinical experience, I also have a strong background in social work research and policy. I am familiar with a variety of evidence-based practices and am skilled at working with government agencies and other organizations to implement these practices. I am confident that I could use my skills to benefit your organization in a variety of ways.

Related: 07 Best General Manager Cover Letter Samples

Social Work Cover Letter Entry Level

My name is ________ and I am a recent graduate of ___________. The interested in obtaining a position as a social worker in your organization. It is a highly motivated individual with a passion for helping others. Have experience working with various populations, including children, adolescents, and adults. I am knowledgeable in the areas of mental health and substance abuse. I am also proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications.

It an excellent communicator and have excellent organizational skills. To able to work independently as well as part of a team. I am dedicated to providing quality service to those in need. I am committed to making a difference in the lives of others.

Confident that I have the skills and experience necessary to be a successful social worker. I am eager to put my skills to use in a challenging and rewarding position. I look forward to speaking with you about this opportunity.

Related: Data Entry Cover Letter: 07 Sample ideas

Application Letter For Social Worker

Writing to apply for the role of Social Worker at your organisation.

Have a degree in Social Work from the University of XYZ and I am a registered social worker with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I have worked as a social worker for the past three years, during which time I have gained a great deal of experience in supporting children and families.

The passionate about making a difference to the lives of those who need it most, and I firmly believe that social work has the power to change lives for the better. I am committed to working tirelessly to support my clients and ensure that they receive the best possible care and support.

Would be a valuable asset to your team, and I look forward to putting my skills and experience to work in this role. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Related: Application Letter for Employment: 07 Samples & Examples

5 Things to Include In a Social Work Cover Letter

When applying for a job in social work, it is important to include a well-written cover letter. In addition to your resume, the cover letter is an opportunity to highlight your skills and qualifications. Here are five things to include in your social work cover letter:

• A brief introduction. Begin your letter by introducing yourself and explain why you are interested in the position.
• A summary of your qualifications. In one or two paragraphs, summarize your education, experience, and Skills that make you a good fit for the position.
• A description of your passion for social work. Include a sentence or two about what inspires you to work in social work and help others.
• A discussion of your goals for the future. Explain how the position you are applying for will help you meet your long-term goals.
• A thank you and closing statement. Thank the employer for their time and consideration, and express your interest in meeting with them to discuss the position further.

Related: What is Cover Letter? Complete Guide To Get any Job.

Applying for a social work position? It’s time to spruce up your application with a well-written cover letter. The cover letter is often the first impression you’ll make on the hiring manager, so it’s important to showcase your best qualities and explain why you’re the right fit for the job. But writing a great cover letter can be daunting, especially if you’re not sure where to start.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll share 7 of the best social work cover letter samples along with some tips on how to write your own. After reading our guide, you’ll have everything you need to create a winning cover letter that will help you land your dream job.

Whether you’re an experienced social worker or just starting out, we hope these samples have given you some ideas on how to write your own winning cover letter. Just remember to tailor your letter to fit your own experiences and qualifications, and we’re sure you’ll impress any hiring manager. Good luck!

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Title Page Setup

A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a student title page guide (PDF, 199KB) to assist students in creating their title pages.

Student title page

The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in this example.

Title page setup is covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 2.3 and the Concise Guide Section 1.6

Related handouts

• Student Title Page Guide (PDF, 263KB)
• Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3MB)

Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.

Professional title page

The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following example.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the professional title page.

Life After College

• First Steps
• Writing a Resume and Cover Letter
• Interviewing Tips
• Workplace Etiquette
• Understanding Benefits
• Moving Someplace New?
• Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
• Young Professional Groups and Volunteer Opportunities
• Continue Learning
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Pro Tip from Beth Notch, XPD Career Coach

Remember: your resume is a tool designed to convince the reader to contact you for an interview. A well-written resume will market your skills, achievements, experiences and future capabilities. Additionally, ​​​​​ y our cover letter serves as an introduction to your resume and allows you to convey your interest for a specific position. It is very important to partner it to your resume (which focuses on skills and achievement) because you can:

• Share your enthusiasm and motivation for applying to the specific job/organization
• Showcase how you’re the perfect fit by summarizing your education, skills, and experience relevant to the position
• Expand on these points by providing specific details or examples
• The Cut | How to Make a Resume Interviewers Actually Want to Read "No offense, but your résumé is probably a mess. It’s not that you aren’t skilled or accomplished, but most people’s résumés are middling at best."
• Fast Company | Why You Should Send a Cover Letter Every Time You Apply for a Job, Even if It's Not Required "Not all job applications require cover letters... However, even if a cover letter isn’t required, it can be in your interest to include one."
• Wall Street Journal | 18 Resume Writing Tips to Help You Stand Out "Companies increasingly rely on software to sort through applicants, which is why it is essential to tailor your résumé to ensure it makes the cut."
• Forbes | How to Write the Best Cover Letter to Land a Job in 2024 "Your cover letter is equally as important as your resume, because once a hiring manager has read your resume, they will read your cover letter to get more information about you."

Step 2: Write a killer resume and cover letter.

Check out the resources below if you aren't sure where to start.

PRO TIP: When in doubt, reach out to XPD for a resume brainstorm or review!

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Can I Use ChatGPT to Write My Resume?

Yes, but remember: ChatGPT is an additional tool in your tool belt, it's not a be-all, end-all solution. It can  show you how to clearly communicate unique characteristics that you bring to the table. However, it does not know specifics about you, and it can be biased and inaccurate. REMEMBER to read through its responses before clicking "submit!"

A few ways in which the tool can be helpful:

• Example Prompt: What companies in Minnesota are in the ______ industry?
• Example Prompt:  What are strong skill statements summarizing a barista job?
• Use ChatGPT to review and edit your cover letter for clarity, conciseness, and grammatical errors.

Additional Resources

• Coursera | How to Use ChatGPT to Write Your Resume "ChatGPT is a natural language processing (NPL) tool that has garnered significant attention because of its remarkable ability to generate human-like text responses. As such, users now turn to ChatGPT for all sorts of writing, including resumes."
• LinkedIn | How to Use ChatGPT to Write A Resume "Are you ready to take your resume game to the next level? Look no further than ChatGPT, the AI language model that's quickly rising to the top. People are turning to this powerful tool for everything from writing cover letters to bringing their product ideas to life with custom code."
• XPD's Student Guide to Open AI The CSB+SJU XPD team has put together a comprehensive guide for students on the benefits and limitations on using Open AI for resume and cover letter writing. Looking for further guidance? Reach out to XPD Career Coach Lucas Vetsch at [email protected].

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• Last Updated: Aug 13, 2024 3:00 PM
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How to Write a Cover Letter [Tips with Examples]

As a writer, I did my fair share of job hunting. Despite my experience and expertise, I often struggled with impressing interviewers due to my lackluster cover letters. Limited resources and time constraints left my cover letters far from impressive. However, things changed when I mastered the art of writing compelling cover letters. Soon, I started receiving interview calls and eventually landed my dream job. In this article, I will share these cover letter writing techniques with you, so you too know how to write a cover letter and can effortlessly land the job of your dreams.

What is a Cover Letter and What does it Contain?

A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you submit along with your resume when applying for a job. Its primary purpose is to persuade the employer that you are an excellent candidate for the role. It complements your resume by clearly linking your experience and interests to the position you're applying for. Essentially, the cover letter is your chance to convince the employer to invite you for an interview.

A typical cover letter contains several key elements, each serving a specific purpose in showcasing your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. Here’s a breakdown of what a cover letter typically includes:

Your Contact Information: Name, address, phone number, and email address.

Date: The date you are writing the letter.

Employer’s Contact Information: Name, title, company, and address of the person you are addressing the letter to.

2. Salutation

Address the letter to a specific person if possible (e.g., “Dear Mr. Smith,” or “Dear Hiring Manager,”).

3. Introduction

Opening Statement: A brief introduction mentioning the job you are applying for and how you found out about the position.

Hook: A compelling reason why you are interested in the job and the company.

First Paragraph: Explain why you are a good fit for the role. Highlight key qualifications and experiences that align with the job requirements.

Second Paragraph: Provide specific examples of your accomplishments and how they relate to the job. Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your impact.

Third Paragraph: Discuss your knowledge of the company and why you are excited about this particular opportunity. Show that you have researched the organization and explain how your goals align with its mission and values.

5. Conclusion

Closing Statement: Reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and the company. Summarize why you are a strong candidate.

Call to Action: Mention your desire for an interview and provide your contact information again. Indicate that you will follow up within a certain timeframe.

Thank You: Express gratitude for the reader’s time and consideration.

6. Signature

Closing Phrase: Use a professional closing, such as “Sincerely”, or “Best regards”.

Signature: Leave space for your handwritten signature (if submitting a hard copy) and then type your name below it.

How to Write a Cover Letter For a Job in 5 Steps!

Firstly, it’s crucial to streamline the process of crafting a cover letter, but that doesn’t mean using the same cover letter for every job position or even the same position at different companies. Customization is key to standing out.

Step 1. Research the Company- AIPal

Open the job listing you want to apply for, typically found on platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed. These platforms usually provide a detailed job description outlining the requirements and responsibilities.

To begin, I will write a cover letter for the Sales & Marketing Manager position at Pride Mile, which is a remote job listing I found on LinkedIn.

To proceed effectively, I will copy the job description and input it into AIPal to extract key keywords. These keywords are crucial as they highlight the skills and attributes the employer is seeking for the role.

Prompt: Extract keywords from this job description that I can in my cover letter.

To refine your keyword research, you can ask AIPal to extract keywords and categorize them into tiers.

Prompt: Extract keywords from this job description that I can in my cover letter. Assign them in three tiers ranging from the most important to least important.

This way, you'll identify the most critical keywords, which should be emphasized more in your cover letter, and less important keywords, which can be mentioned once or twice.

This approach will give me a comprehensive understanding of what the job entails and what qualities I should emphasize in my cover letter.

Step 2. Choose a template- WPS Office

Choosing a cover letter template is important because it gives you a clear structure to follow, saving you time and ensuring your letter looks polished. It guides you on what information to include, from your skills to your qualifications, making it easier to customize each letter for different job applications. Templates also help keep your letter organized and visually appealing, which is key to making a positive impression on employers.

WPS Office has been a godsend in this regard, offering plenty of cover letter templates. I followed these steps to find the desired cover letter for the Marketing Manager position:

Open WPS Office and click on "New" on the left side pane.

Next, simply click on the “All” tab in the left side pane. This will display numerous templates available on WPS Office for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

To save time browsing through all the options, simply search for "cover letter". This filters out irrelevant templates and helps find the right cover letter template for the job post in context.

Upon finding the suitable template for the job post, click on it to preview.

To start customizing the selected template, click the "Download" button at the top right corner, which will launch it in the WPS Writer interface for editing.

Header and Salutation

Headers and salutations are essential in a cover letter for their role in setting a professional tone. The header provides your contact details and the date, ensuring easy communication and formal presentation.

Salutations, like "Dear Hiring Manager," personalize your letter and demonstrate attention to detail, addressing the recipient directly and showcasing professionalism from the start.

One of the standout features of WPS templates is its ready-made header, which enhances the visual appeal of your cover letter. It includes sections for your contact information, the date, and the recipient's details.

Addressing the recipient by name whenever possible adds a personal touch; if that information isn't available, a generic greeting such as "Dear Hiring Manager" remains professional and appropriate. Ensuring the document is error-free further underscores your professionalism and attention to detail.

Step 3. Introduction- Your Opening Sentences

Starting your cover letter with a compelling introduction is crucial. It’s your chance to grab the hiring manager's attention and make a strong first impression. A well-crafted opening should highlight your enthusiasm, showcase your qualifications, and give a hint of your personality.

Here are a few key things to keep in mind to create an engaging and effective cover letter introduction:

Expressing genuine passion for the role or the company can make a strong impact. For example, in a sales manager position:

Dear Mr. Brown, my name is Anna and I’m excited about the opportunity to help your company exceed its sales targets. My five years of experience as a Sales Representative at XYZ Inc. have equipped me with the skills needed to drive results. Last year, we surpassed our KPIs by 50%, and I’m eager to bring this success to your team.

Referrals can add credibility to your application. For instance, in an architectural position:

I was thrilled to learn about this job opportunity from John Doe, who has been with your firm for five years. John and I collaborated on an architectural project for over a year, and he recommended I apply for this role, believing I’d be a great fit.

Demonstrating your knowledge about the company shows dedication. For example, in a social worker position:

I have always admired the work your organization does with vulnerable communities. Your commitment to social justice resonates with my professional values, and I believe my previous experience as a social worker aligns perfectly with your mission.

Starting with a significant accomplishment can immediately capture interest. For example, in a public relations position:

As a Public Relations Representative at Company XYZ, I enhanced the company’s reputation and public image, resulting in a 40% increase in customer satisfaction. I am eager to bring my proven track record of success to your organization as the Head of Communications.

Step 4. Body- the Most Important Part

The body of your resume is where you showcase your qualifications, experience, skills, and achievements to demonstrate why you're the ideal candidate for the job. Structuring this section effectively is crucial to capturing the attention of hiring managers and persuading them to consider you for the position.

Here’s how to craft a compelling resume body:

Start with a Strong Summary or Objective Statement:

Begin your resume with a concise summary or objective that highlights your career goals and what you bring to the table. This helps recruiters quickly understand your professional background and aspirations. For example:

Results-driven marketing professional with 8+ years of experience in digital marketing strategies and campaign management. Proven track record of increasing brand awareness and revenue growth through innovative marketing initiatives. Seeking to leverage my skills and expertise to contribute to the continued success of ABC Company.

Highlight Key Skills:

List relevant skills that align with the job requirements. Use bullet points to make them easy to scan. Focus on both technical skills (e.g., software proficiency, languages) and soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership). For example:

Digital Marketing Strategy

SEO/SEM Optimization

Content Management Systems (CMS)

Social Media Marketing

Analytical Skills

Team Leadership

Add Keywords:

In the body of the cover letter, it's crucial to incorporate keywords extracted from the job description. These keywords highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and attributes that align with what the employer is seeking. For example, if the job description emphasizes "digital marketing strategy," "customer acquisition," and "social media management," your cover letter should showcase your expertise in these areas.

My experience in developing and implementing robust digital marketing strategies, coupled with a proven track record in customer acquisition and social media management, aligns perfectly with the goals outlined for the Sales & Marketing Manager position at Pride Mile.

Detail Your Work Experience:

Include your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. For each job, provide the following details:

Job Title and Company: Clearly state your position and the organization you worked for.

Dates of Employment: Specify the period you worked there.

Key Responsibilities: Outline your main duties and responsibilities in concise bullet points. Focus on achievements and quantify results where possible. For example:

Managed a team of 5 digital marketers to execute SEO and PPC campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in website traffic and a 25% growth in lead generation.

Achievements: Highlight specific accomplishments that demonstrate your impact. Use metrics to quantify your achievements whenever feasible. For example:

Led a successful rebranding campaign that increased brand recognition by 40% and led to a 15% increase in customer engagement.

Education and Certifications: List your educational background, including degrees, diplomas, and relevant certifications. Mention any honors or awards received. Include the name of the institution, degree/certification earned, and dates attended.

Skills and Expertise: Elaborate on any additional skills or expertise that are relevant to the job. This could include technical skills, industry-specific knowledge, or proficiency in certain tools or methodologies.

Professional Development: Include any professional development activities, workshops, or seminars you have attended that are relevant to your career.

Step 5. Closing & Salutation

A strong conclusion to your cover letter is essential to leave a positive and lasting impression on a prospective employer. It serves as your final opportunity to express enthusiasm, reinforce your qualifications, and prompt the hiring manager to take action. Here’s how to effectively end your cover letter.

Show self-assurance in your skills and how they align with the job requirements. This demonstrates to the employer that you are a competent and enthusiastic candidate. For example:

I am confident that my project management experience and problem-solving abilities make me a perfect fit for your team. I thrive in dynamic environments and am eager to contribute to your company's success.

Let your passion for the role and the industry shine through. Mentioning your enthusiasm can make you a more memorable candidate. For instance:

My lifelong passion for animal welfare drives my dedication to providing top-notch veterinary care. I am excited to bring this passion to your clinic and contribute to the well-being of your patients.

Highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job responsibilities. This helps the employer see the direct benefits of hiring you. For example:

With seven years of experience managing senior accounts, I am skilled at anticipating client needs and handling situations with discretion. I am eager to bring this expertise to your team and help grow your client base.

Share your career aspirations and how they align with the company’s growth. This shows your long-term interest in the organization. For example:

I look forward to leveraging my sales experience to identify new markets and build strong customer relationships. My goal is to grow within your company and eventually lead the account management team.

Align your personal values with the company’s mission to show you’re a cultural fit. For example:

I admire ArcherTech's commitment to supporting local businesses and have innovative marketing ideas to increase profitability in this sector. I am excited to discuss these ideas further.

Emphasize relevant technical skills, especially those mentioned in the job description. This highlights your readiness to contribute effectively. For example:

I bring extensive experience with CAD software and can create integrated 360-degree renderings for client presentations. My past successes in this area can help boost your sales by 150% over the next two quarters.

Encourage the employer to take the next step, such as scheduling an interview. Express gratitude and indicate your eagerness to discuss your application further. For example:

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my skills can contribute to your team. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

End your letter with a formal and courteous closing. Suitable options include "Best", "Sincerely", "Respectfully", and "Thank you".

Here's a template for Closing & Salutation:

This is the best approach I can suggest for writing a great cover letter, but I highly recommend using WPS Office templates for this. The AI features in AIPal and WPS Office can help extract keywords and assist with writing, while the templates provide pre-written content tailored to the position you're applying for. This approach minimizes effort and frustration, especially when a job requires a cover letter, ensuring your application meets all necessary requirements effectively.

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How to Proofread your Cover Letter- WPS Office

WPS Office is an all-around solution for various tasks, including writing a cover letter and securing your dream job. Beyond helping you create a polished cover letter, WPS Office also excels in proofreading it. With its AI-powered Proofreader, WPS Office ensures your cover letter is error-free and impactful.

WPS AI: To assist you in polishing your content：

WPS AI Proofreader is an essential tool for perfecting your cover letter with ease and confidence. As you craft your application, WPS AI Proofreader ensures your writing is polished to perfection. It goes beyond simple spell checks, offering real-time error detection for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. This means you can focus on expressing your skills and achievements effectively, without worrying about typos or awkward phrasing. With customizable settings and intuitive correction options, WPS AI Proofreader tailors its suggestions to fit your writing style, ensuring your cover letter maintains professionalism and clarity.

AIPal Chatbot: For ideas and consultation

AIPal is a great web-assistant throughout the process of refining and perfecting your cover letter through its robust proofreading and consultation capabilities. This AI-powered tool not only identifies grammatical errors and punctuation issues but also provides insightful suggestions to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your ideas. AIPal ensures that your cover letter maintains a cohesive flow and communicates your qualifications effectively to potential employers.

1. How long should a Cover Letter be?

A cover letter should ideally be between half a page and a full page in length, with a word count ranging from 250 to 400 words. It is typically divided into three to six paragraphs. It's important to keep it brief and focused on relevant details.

2. What tone should I use in my Cover Letter?

To effectively convey the right tone in your cover letter, aim for a balance that is both professional and friendly.

Avoid overly formal language while maintaining a polished demeanor.

Tailor your communication style to fit the company's culture, showing genuine enthusiasm for the position without coming across as boastful or overly eager.

Use confident and positive language to articulate your qualifications clearly, avoiding jargon, informal expressions, or humor that could be misinterpreted.

This approach will ensure your cover letter reflects professionalism and authentic interest in the position.

3. Should I include references in my cover letter?

Typically, you do not need to include references in your cover letter unless the employer specifically requires them. Concentrate on highlighting your relevant qualifications and explaining why you are a strong match for the position.

Create An Impactful Cover Letter With WPS Office

Creating a compelling cover letter can often be the decisive factor in securing your dream job. It needs to showcase your expertise clearly and coherently, leaving no doubt about your suitability for the role. WPS Office provides a reliable solution where you can gather all the necessary information for when you are figuring out how to write a cover letter and ensure your cover letter resonates at the right level.

From templates perfectly tailored to the job position to extracting crucial keywords and summarizing job descriptions, WPS Office equips you with everything essential for writing a successful cover letter. Download AIPal today to streamline your job hunting journey and alleviate some of the frustrations along the way.

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Division of Student Life

No such thing as a silly question: answers to questions you might be afraid to ask.

Whether you just arrived at Iowa or have found a familiar rhythm on campus, you probably have questions. And like many students, you might be too shy to ask or you might not know where to go for an answer.

We’re here to help.

Here is a list of questions — and answers — on topics you might want or need to know.

1. What should I do if I feel anxious or if I’m struggling mentally? How do I find help?

First, know you are not alone, and there’s nothing embarrassing or shameful about reaching out for help. We know it can be intimidating, but finding the right resources is the first step to feeling better.

The UI has various mental health services that you can access no matter what you are going through, including anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, trauma, grief, identity development, and relationship concerns.

If formal counseling isn’t for you, several student support groups offer space where you and others with shared experiences can talk. You can drop in to any of these groups at any time.

The UI also offers several free workshops that focus on managing stress and anxiety. Check out the workshop options at Student Wellness and University Counseling Services, which cover topics such as mindfulness, sleep, motivations and procrastination, anxiety, and distress coping skills. These workshops help you build effective skills so you can better manage stress and anxiety.

If you think counseling services would be helpful:

• Contact University Counseling Service at 319-335-7294 or email [email protected] . UCS has locations on the west side of campus (3223 Westlawn) and the east side (Suite 1950 in University Capitol Centre). Individual and group therapy are offered.  
• If you are unsure what services may be best for you, UCS staff can guide you in the right direction through an initial consultation . Please know you will be asked to fill out paperwork if you visit UCS for the first time or if it has been more than three months since you were last seen. More information on what paperwork may be needed will be provided during appointment scheduling.  
• In addition, you can receive 24-hour support through the UI Support and Crisis Line by calling or texting 844-461-5420 or chatting on this page online . You can use the line anonymously if you wish to do so.  
• You can also schedule a same-day, one-time appointment with a counselor if you would like to talk about an immediate issue or develop a plan to work on your well-being without ongoing therapy.

2. What do I do if I feel sick?

We understand that you don’t want to miss anything or fall behind in classes, but we recommend that you do not try to go to class if you are sick. Contact your professor to let them know you are sick, see if there is any makeup work you might need to do, and ask a classmate to provide notes for you.

If you think you may have an illness more severe than a common cold or you just want peace of mind, a visit to Student Health could help get you back on the mend sooner. Student Health is located at 4189 Westlawn and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. You can call 319-335-8394 to make an appointment or schedule one online.

There is no cost to visit Student Health; a student health fee is included in the fees you pay each semester. You might be charged for other things related to your visit, such as lab work, medications, or medical supplies. Those charges will be submitted to your insurance, and, if you are a first-time patient or change health insurance, you can fill out this form so Student Health has that information. Charges not covered by insurance can be paid with cash or with your U-Bill. 

If you are unsure if a visit to Student Health is best, you can contact the Student Health Nurseline at 319-335-9704. The Nurseline can help you decide if you need to make an appointment, how to take self-care measures, answer medication questions, and more.

3. I started Iowa with one major, but I’m having doubts if this is the right one for me. What should I do if I’m considering switching majors or colleges?

Don’t worry! Many students switch their majors. The idea of what you thought you wanted to do might look much different now that you have started college, or you may not love your area of study as much as you thought you would.

First, your academic advisor is a great resource. Set up a meeting with them to talk about what you’re not loving about current classes in your major, what classes you do enjoy, and your interests. Your advisor can also help you figure out the length of time it would take to complete your degree if you decide to switch.

If you’re a first-year student, it’s likely your advisor is in the Academic Advising Center . But if your advisor is located within a college and you are thinking about a switch in majors that would also require a switch in colleges, your current advisor is still the best person to lead you in the right direction. You could also contact the Academic Advising Center to speak with an advisor about exploring other majors.

If you want to start thinking about a new area of study, looking at the general catalog can give you more information. You can also access sample plans on MyUI that will outline what an eight-semester plan for a new major may look like.

The Pomerantz Career Center also has resources for exploring majors and career options, including career assessment s. Iowa has more than 200 majors to choose from, so be assured you will find something that both excites you and helps you reach your career goals.

4. What should I do if I’m feeling overwhelmed with my courses or I’m failing a class?

First, don’t panic. Many students feel overwhelmed with their class load from time to time.

Speaking to your professor or teaching assistant is the first step. Your instructors will be able to give you a good picture of where you stand in a class and what you can do to get your desired grade. Professors and TAs hold office hours, and having one-on-one conversations with them can help you make a study plan or get a better grasp on the course material.

Your academic advisor is also a good resource, especially if you would like to change your schedule. They can go over the pros and cons of dropping a class.

If you are considering dropping a class, here is what that process will look like:

• Keep in mind that you need 12 credits a semester to keep your full-time student status. Dropping below 12 credits could affect financial aid and scholarships. If you are concerned that dropping a class would affect your financial aid, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.
• You can drop a class on MyUI before the sixth day of the fall or spring semester, but it’s a good idea to speak with your academic advisor first.
• After the drop deadline has passed for a semester, you can still request to drop a course, but you will need your academic advisor’s approval.

If you don’t want to drop a class but your grade is slipping, take advantage of tutoring resources . You can find academic help for specific courses, helpful tips in videos and worksheets, a private tutor or workshop, or a free supplemental instruction session.

5. Campus seems so big and I’m afraid of getting lost. How do I find my way around?

Navigating campus can be overwhelming when you first arrive and everything is new. There are plenty of campus maps to choose from, and it’s a good idea to walk to any buildings you’re unfamiliar with to find where your class will be held.

The UI campus is very walkable and bikeable, and those are main modes of transportation you will see students using. Students can also use Cambus for free around campus; here is a map of where bus routes will take you.

The main routes are the red and blue routes, which travel the entire campus. A helpful way to remember the direction red and blue routes go is “Blue to Burge, Red to Rienow.” The red route goes in a clockwise direction, and the blue route goes counterclockwise. Cambus also operates an Interdorm route, which goes to the residence halls and the Pentacrest.

The Transit app will show you real-time bus arrivals, departures, locations, and the closest bus stops. By subscribing to alerts on the app, you will be notified of service changes or severe weather impacts.

While we understand why you might like your vehicle on campus, you don’t need to bring one to get around and we encourage you to use other transportation. If you do bring a car, you will have to pay for a permit. More details on how to do so are here . 

6. I used to play sports in high school, but that’s changed since I started college. How can I stay active?

Without sports and high school gym classes, it can be an adjustment to incorporate staying active into your college routine. Luckily, Iowa has many opportunities for you to get exercise (not to mention you’ll get your steps in walking around campus to your classes).

• Campus Recreation and Wellness Center: This is perhaps the most well-known recreation facility, located on the east side of campus. Not only does it include all the gym equipment and weights you might want, but it also has an indoor climbing wall, swimming pools, a jogging track, and basketball and volleyball courts. It also has the Wellness Suite, where staff provide fitness assessments, nutrition counseling, and more.
• Field House: Located on the west side of campus, this space houses basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts; a cycling studio; an indoor track; and a weightlifting room. It also has a swimming pool.
• Fitness East: Fitness East is in Halsey Hall, and it can be accessed through the walkway between Halsey Hall and the IMU Parking Ramp. While this space is smaller than other facilities, it has all the gym equipment you need for your workout.
• Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex: Located on Prairie Meadow Drive on the far west edge of campus, this space has indoor and outdoor tennis courts, pickleball courts, cardio equipment, and weights.

All enrolled UI students can access any recreational services facility, but you must present your student ID to get in. The cost to use the facilities is included in your student fees.

If you need something more structured, Iowa has many intramural sports teams you can join if you miss doing activities with a team or competing.

7. I’m away from all or most of the friends I grew up with. How can I make new friends and find a new community at Iowa?

Making new friends is hard, no matter what age you are. If you’re a recent high school graduate, you may have grown up with the same people and friends for most of your life. While trying to make new friends can be intimidating, the new people you meet in college can be some of the most meaningful relationships of your life. Just remember: You are not the only one trying to make new friends.

If you’re living in the residence halls, start by introducing yourself to people on your floor. You can also leave the door of your room open as a sign you’re welcome to visitors. 

Attending campus events that pique your interest can help you connect with other like-minded people. In addition, joining a student organization — even if you stick with it for only a semester — can help you meet new people. If you don’t know where to start with finding the right student org for you, schedule a meeting with a Leadership and Engagement advisor to talk about your interests and get connected.

You can also meet new people by getting  a job or volunteering on campus.  

Again, know that many other people are also looking for new friendships. Asking someone to grab a cup of coffee after class or to meet you for a weekend lunch session will likely make their day as much as it will yours.

8. Being away from home for the first time is harder than I thought it would be. What can make this easier?

No matter how far you may have traveled to become an Iowa student, it’s normal to feel bouts of homesickness, especially if it’s your first semester on campus. Here are some tips:

While it may seem counterintuitive, try to limit your trips back home because they could prolong your feelings of homesickness. Staying on campus for longer stretches of time can help it become more familiar to you and will help Iowa feel more like a new home.

Iowa also has so many ways to get involved. Be it a club, intramural sports, or a job, getting involved on campus can make you feel like you belong here (and you’ll make new friends).

Having new, yet familiar experiences can also help you feel more at ease. For example, if you enjoyed spending Sunday mornings at your hometown’s local coffee shop, find a new place to get your caffeine fix. If you liked spending your mornings at the gym, head to one of our great recreational facilities.

Time is the best way to work through this new transition, and know that you can talk to anyone on campus about how you’re feeling. Also, remember all your loved ones are just a call or text away.

9. This is my first time having to budget and be responsible for my own finances. What are some money tips relevant for me?

Budgeting can be hard, even for people who have been doing it for years. This may be the first time you’ve really had to think about all your monthly expenses. Making a plan to manage your money will be less stressful in the long run because it will help you create some savings and will make unexpected expenses less scary — while also building good habits for the future.

Many tools are available to help you create a budget, from just writing down a plan in a notebook to using an app. No matter what method you use, all budgets are made roughly the same way.

First, figure out what time span you want to create a budget for. Weekly or monthly budgets are common, but you could also create one for an entire semester. Next, determine your income for that time frame. Then, add up your fixed expenses (U-Bill, car payments, cellphone, etc.) and variable expenses (groceries, gas, entertainment, etc.). Once you subtract expenses from your income, you can determine if there are any areas where you’d like to save or how much money you have left over to save.

If you’re not sure what your expenses are for a certain time span, make a note of the money you spend during that time frame and see if your habits are on par with your goals.

Also, make sure you’re being responsible with any credit cards you may have. Even though you don’t have to worry about charges put on the card immediately, you don’t want any surprises when the bill arrives. Building credit is a good practice to start, but making note of charges to credit cards is equally important.

Lots of financial wellness resources can be found here . If you’re struggling with budgets or have other financial questions, meet with a financial aid advisor by scheduling an appointment on MyUI or email [email protected] . 

10. How do I balance academics, social life, and my other commitments?

Once you step onto campus, it’s probably tempting to jump headfirst into everything that piques your interest, but piling too much on your plate can lead you to feel stressed out or overwhelmed. Academics, jobs, student organizations, having fun with friends — it’s important to have all these things in your life, and finding the right balance for yourself is key.

Establishing a routine (that still leaves time for fun and spontaneous ice cream runs!) is a great way to feel balanced. After you get used to your class and homework schedule, figure out what you want to prioritize and determine if you’re using your time effectively. If you feel you’re lacking in one area, make it a bigger priority the next week.

If you’re struggling academically, you can connect with Academic Support and Retention for more resources to help you succeed. Also, Student Care and Assistance can help provide a personalized assessment of how you spend your time and ways you can adjust your schedule to match your priorities.

The Student Life Development Fund: provides support for the Vice President for Student Life to support all departments and units across the division. This fund is utilized to support many priorities and initiatives across the division.

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162 lies and distortions in a news conference. NPR fact-checks former President Trump

Domenico Montanaro

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Aug. 8. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

There were a host of false things that Donald Trump said during his hour-long news conference Thursday that have gotten attention.

A glaring example is his helicopter emergency landing story, which has not stood up to scrutiny .

But there was so much more. A team of NPR reporters and editors reviewed the transcript of his news conference and found at least 162 misstatements, exaggerations and outright lies in 64 minutes. That’s more than two a minute. It’s a stunning number for anyone – and even more problematic for a person running to lead the free world.

Politicians spin. They fib. They misspeak. They make honest mistakes like the rest of us. And, yes, they even sometimes exaggerate their biographies .

The expectation, though, is that they will treat the truth as something important and correct any errors.

But what former President Trump did this past Thursday went well beyond the bounds of what most politicians would do.

Here’s what we found, going chronologically from the beginning of Trump’s remarks to the end:

1. “I think our country right now is in the most dangerous position it’s ever been in from an economic standpoint…” 

The U.S. economy has rebounded from the pandemic downturn more rapidly than most other countries around the world. Growth has slowed in recent months, but gross domestic product still grew at a relatively healthy annual clip of 2.8% in April, May and June – which is faster than the pace in three of the four years when Trump was president. — Scott Horsley, NPR chief economics correspondent

2. “…from a safety standpoint, both gangs on the street…”

We don’t have great, up-to-date data on gang activity in the U.S., but violent crime trends offer a good glimpse into safety in the country. Nationally, violent crime – that includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault – has been trending way down after a surge in 2020, according to the most recent data from the FBI . That data is preliminary and incomplete, covering around three-quarters of the country, but other crime analysts have found similar trends. Crime levels, of course, vary locally : murders are down in Philadelphia, for instance, but up in Charlotte, N.C. — Meg Anderson, NPR National Desk reporter covering criminal justice

3. “...and frankly, gangs outside of our country in the form of other countries that are, frankly, very powerful. They’re very powerful countries.”

The U.S. is not in the “most dangerous position” from a foreign-policy standpoint than ever before. Biden pulled troops out of Afghanistan in his first year in office — though the withdrawal itself was chaotic and a target of much criticism — and since then, U.S. troops have not been actively engaged in a war for the first time in 20 years. The U.S. is supporting Ukraine and Israel, of course, and has troops in Iraq and Syria, but they’re not fighting on any regular basis.

What’s more, however, FBI Director Christopher Wray has said the greatest threat to the country is domestic extremism . And beyond organized groups the very definition of extremism is changing, as fringe ideologies move into the mainstream, and radicalization takes hold amongst parts of the populace. Consider: the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and the assassination attempt on Trump’s life, even with a motive that remains murky at best. Regardless, the call is coming from inside the house, domestic extremism experts warn. Many polls show a sobering degree of support for political violence to drive change. — Andrew Sussman, NPR supervising editor for national security

4-5. “ We have a lot of bad things coming up. You could end up in a Depression of the 1929 variety, which would be a devastating thing, took many years– took many decades to recover from it, and we’re very close to that.”

There is nothing to suggest that a 1930s style Depression is on the horizon for the United States. And the Depression did not take “many decades to recover from.” It ended during World War Two , in 1941. — Scott Horsley

6. “And we’re very close to a world war. In my opinion, we’re very close to a world war.”

No serious person thinks that the U.S., Russia and China are about to start a world war. Right now, Russia appears to be having a hard time defending Russia, given Ukraine’s recent incursions. While there are concerns about things like the potential for regional conflagrations in the Middle East, only Trump is talking about world war. — Andrew Sussman

7. “ Kamala's record is horrible. She's a radical left person at a level that nobody's seen.” 

It’s debatable how liberal Harris is. Some in California didn’t like her record on criminal justice and thought she was not progressive enough. She’s clearly liked by progressives and her voting scores as a senator are on the liberal end of the spectrum, but is she “radical left” and “at a level that nobody’s seen”? There are plenty of people alive and in history who would be considered far more liberal and more radical.

8. “She picked a radical left man.”

Few, if any, reasonable people would say Walz is a “radical left man.” He had a progressive record as governor with a Democratic legislature, but the things passed are hardly radical – free school lunch, protecting abortion rights, legalizing marijuana, restricting access to certain types of guns. All of these things have majority support from voters. What’s more, that “progressive” record ignores Walz’s first term as governor when he worked with Republicans because Democrats didn’t control the legislature. And it ignores Walz’s time as a congressman when he was considered a more moderate member given that he was from a district that had been previously held by a Republican.

9. “He's going for things that nobody's ever even heard of. Heavy into the transgender world.” 

Last year, Walz championed and signed a bill that prevented state courts of officials from complying with child-removal requests, extraditions, arrests or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care that a person receives or provides in Minnesota. “Heavy into the transgender world” is vague and misleading.

10. “He doesn't want to have borders. He doesn't want to have walls.”

Walz has never called for having no borders. He has voiced opposition to a wall because he doesn't think it will stop illegal immigration. He told Anderson Cooper on CNN , for example, that a wall "is not how you stop" illegal immigration He called for more border-control agents, electronics and more legal ways to immigrate.

11. “He doesn't want to have any form of safety for our country.”

Trump himself praised Walz’s handling of the aftermath of the George Floyd murder at the hands of a police officer. And it’s certainly hyperbole to say he “doesn’t want any form of safety for our country.” Walz served in the U.S. National Guard for 24 years, so clearly, he’s interested in the country having national security. And domestically, he’s never been a “defund the police” advocate. Walz opposed a ballot measure that would have gotten rid of minimum police staffing levels, for example. That angered advocates. He signed police reforms into law , but that does not prove wanting no safety.

12. “He doesn't mind people coming in from prisons.”

Walz has not said he wants people coming in from prisons. Trump is trying to tie his claim that other countries are sending prisoners to the United States to Democrats’ immigration policies.

13. “And neither does she, I guess. Because she's not, she couldn't care less.”

Harris has said a lot to the contrary of not caring about the levels of migrants coming across the border, let alone people coming in from prisons. In fact, when in Guatemala, she said her message for people thinking of immigrating to the United States was: " Do not come. Do not come ."

14. “She's the border czar. By the way, she was the border czar, 100%. And all of a sudden, for the last few weeks, she's not the border czar anymore, like nobody ever said it.”

Harris was never appointed “border czar.” That’s a phrase that was used incorrectly by some media outlets. Biden tasked Harris with leading the “ diplomatic effort ” with leaders in Central American countries, where many migrants are coming from.

Biden said he wants Harris “to lead our efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle and the countries that help — are going to need help in stemming the movement of so many folks, stemming the migration to our southern border.” He added that Harris “agreed to lead our diplomatic effort and work with those nations to accept — the returnees, and enhance migration enforcement at their borders — at their borders.”

Harris herself that day spoke of “the need to address root causes for the migration that we’ve been seeing.”

15. “We have a very, very sick country right now. You saw the other day with the stock market crashing. That was just the beginning. That was just the beginning.”

The stock market did not “crash.” The stock market fell sharply at the end of last week as investors fretted about a softening job market. This was amplified on Monday when Japan’s stock market tumbled 12%, sparking a selloff around the world. Stocks in Japan and elsewhere have since regained much of this ground, however. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 683 points on the day of Trump’s news conference. — Scott Horsley

16. “Fortunately, we've had some very good polls over the last fairly short period of time.”

Most good polls have shown Harris gaining not just nationally, but also in the swing states, though these same polls show a very close race.

17. “Rasmussen came out today. We're substantially leading.” 

Trump is not substantially leading, and Rasmussen is viewed as one of the least credible pollsters in the country.

18. “And others came out today that we're leading, and in some cases, substantially, I guess, MSNBC came out, or CNBC came out also, with a poll that was, you know, has us leading.” 

Polls have not shown substantial leads. CNBC had Trump leading by 2, unchanged from his 2-point lead in July.

19. “And leading fairly big in swing states. In some polls, I'm leading very big in swing states… .”

Again, polls in swing states have shown a tightened race.

20. “But as a border czar, she's been the worst border czar in history, in the world history.”

Vice President Harris was never asked to lead immigration policy. That’s the job of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Again, the term “border czar” was used inaccurately by some media outlets, and it’s a term conservatives have been using to attack her, in part, because she has only visited the Southern U.S. border a few times since 2021. But in reality, Harris was tapped by President Biden to address the root causes of migration . Her approach has focused on deterrence. She’s told migrants to not come to the U.S., and she has been able to secure more than $5 billion in commitments from private companies to help boost the economy in Central American countries. — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR immigration correspondent based in Texas 

21. “I think the number is 20 million, but whether it's 15 or 20, it's numbers that nobody's ever heard before. 20 million people came over the border in the last– during the Biden-Harris administration. Twenty-million people. And it could be very much higher than that. Nobody really knows what the number is.”

It’s unclear where Trump is getting this number from. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection , since 2021 agents have had more than 7.3 million encounters nationwide with migrants trying to cross into the country illegally. Under Biden, unlawful crossings hit an all-time high last year, but that number has decreased significantly, in part, due to Biden’s asylum restrictions at the Southern U.S. border. An April report from the Office of Homeland Security Statistics found there’s nearly 11 million unauthorized migrants in the country. — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán

22. “Just like far more people were killed in the Ukraine-Russia war than you have reported.”

Neither Russia nor Ukraine is revealing its own casualty figures, so there are only very broad estimates. — Andrew Sussman 

23. “A lot of great things would have happened, but now you have millions and millions of dead people. And you have people dying financially, because they can't buy bacon; they can't buy food; they can't buy groceries; they can't do anything. And they're living horribly in our country right now.”

Grocery prices actually jumped sharply during Trump’s last year in office, as pandemic lockdowns disrupted the food supply chain and Americans were suddenly forced to eat more of their meals at home. Grocery inflation in June 2020 hit 5.6%. This was masked, however, by a plunge in other prices, as the global economy fell into pandemic recession.

As the economy rebounded, prices did, too. Inflation began to rise in 2021, and spiked in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent food and energy prices soaring. Inflation has since moderated, falling from a peak of 9.1% in June 2022 to 3% in June 2024 . (July’s inflation figures will be released next week.) Grocery prices have largely leveled off in the last year, although they remain higher than they were before the pandemic – a potent reminder of the rising cost of living.

Economists have warned that Trump’s proposed import tariffs and immigration restrictions could result in higher inflation in the years to come. Researchers from the Peterson Institute for International Economics estimate the tariffs alone would cost the typical family about $1,700 a year . — Scott Horsley

24. “We've agreed with NBC, fairly full agreement, subject to them, on Sept. 10th.”

This is ABC, not NBC.

25. “She can't do an interview. She's barely competent and she can't do an interview.” 

Harris hasn’t done interviews since getting into the campaign, but she has done them in the past, so saying “she can’t do” one or that she is “barely competent” are just insults. Trump tends to revert to questioning the intelligence of Black women who challenge him. In fact, Trump did it nine times in this news conference, saying either Harris is not that “smart” (five times) "incompetent” (three times) or “barely competent,” as he did here.

26-27. “Why is it that millions of people were allowed to come into our country from prisons, from jails, from mental institutions, insane asylums, even insane asylums, that's a– it's a mental institution on steroids. That's what it is.”

Immigration experts have said they have not been able to find any evidence of this. Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, told FactCheck.org : “It’s hard to prove a negative — nobody’s writing a report saying, ‘Ecuador is not opening its mental institutions’ — but what I can say is that I work full-time on migration, am on many coalition mailing lists, correspond constantly with partners in the region, and scan 300+ RSS feeds and Twitter lists of press outlets and activists region wide, and I have not seen a single report indicating that this is happening. … As far as I can tell, it’s a total fabrication.”

Notably, a version of this did happen in 1980 during the Mariel boatlift from Cuba . The Washington Post noted three years later: “Back in 1980, it seemed to be a humanitarian and patriotic gesture to accept provisionally, without papers or visas, all those fleeing from the port of Mariel. More than 125,000 came. Most were true refugees, many had families here, and the great majority has settled into American communities without mishap. But the Cuban dictator played a cruel joke. He opened his jails and mental hospitals and put their inmates on the boats too.”

Without a question, some migrants who have come into the U.S. have committed crimes, but the data show the vast majority do not. According to Northwestern University , immigrants are less likely to commit a crime than U.S.-born people and certainly at no higher rates that the population writ large. (Trump goes on to repeat this claim minutes later in the news conference as well, so it is included in our count here.)

28. “We have a president that's the worst president in the history of our country.”

Trump may have this opinion, but he says it as if it’s fact, and a 2022 survey of historians ranked Biden in the top half of presidents. Trump, on the other hand, was No. 43. The two below Trump were James Buchanan, who did little to stop the impending U.S. Civil War, and the impeached and nearly convicted Andrew Johnson.

29. “We have a vice president who is the least admired, least respected, and the worst vice president in the history of our country.” 

A recent rating of vice presidents did not show this. Harris was in the bottom half of vice presidents, but Spiro Agnew, Dan Quayle, Henry A. Wallace and were toward the bottom of the list.

30. “The most unpopular vice president.”

This might have been true about a year ago or so, but not anymore. An NBC poll then showed Harris had the lowest favorability rating of any modern VP they’d tested. But her numbers have turned around. The NPR poll had Harris with a 46%/48% favorable to unfavorable rating, which was higher than Trump’s and his running mate, JD Vance, who is among the least popular running mates in recent history .

31. “Don't forget, she was the first one defeated. As I remember it, because I watched it very closely, but she was the first one.”

Harris was not “defeated,” because she dropped out of the Democratic presidential race before Iowa. But even if one considers her dropping out on Dec. 3, 2019, a defeat, she was not the first of the Democratic candidates in that primary campaign to do so. At least 10 others dropped out sooner .

32-34. “And I'm no Biden fan, but I'll tell you what, from a constitutional standpoint, from any standpoint you're looking at, they took the presidency away. … And they took it away.” 

There’s nothing in the U.S. Constitution about picking presidential candidates. This is a party process, and everything has been done within party rules. And, again, the presidency wasn’t taken away: Biden is still president.

35. “They said they're going to use the 25th Amendment.”

This was never floated as a possibility to get Biden to withdraw from the race. Biden’s Cabinet members are all people he appointed and who are loyal to him. In addition, the 25th Amendment outlines a procedure for removing a sitting president from office, not from running for a second term.

36-39. "They're going to hit you hard. ‘Either we can do it the nice way. I heard, I know exactly, because I know a lot of people on the other side, believe it or not. And, they said, ‘We'll do it the nice way, or we'll do it the hard way.’ And he said, ‘All right.”

This was not said; he did not hear; no Democrats in the know are talking to Trump; and this dialogue is made up.

40. “We're leading, we're leading.”

The race is statistically tied in national polls and in the states. In some national polls, Harris leads. In some, Trump does.

41-42. “I'm saying it's a–, for a country with a Constitution that we cherish, we cherish this Constitution to have done it this way is pretty severe, pretty horrible. … But to just take it away from him, like he was a child.”

Again, this is Trump talking about how Biden stepped aside, and there’s nothing in the Constitution about how the political parties should pick candidates. And nothing was taken away.

43-46. “And he's a very angry man right now, I can tell you that. He's not happy with Obama, and he's not happy with Nancy Pelosi. Crazy Nancy, she is crazy, too. She's not happy with any of the people that told him that you've gotta leave. He's very unhappy, very angry, and I think he, He also blames her. He's trying to put up a good face, but it's a very bad thing in terms of a country when you do that. I'm not a fan of his, as you probably have noticed, and he had a rough debate, but that doesn't mean that you just take it away like that.” 

Trump can’t speak to Biden’s state of mind; all evidence is that Nancy Pelosi is perfectly sane – see her recent multiple rounds of interviews about her book, including with NPR ; again, Trump doesn’t know Biden’s state of mind; and again, nobody took it away.

47-51. “She's trying to say she had nothing to do with the border. She had everything. She was appointed to head the border. And then they said border czar. Oh, she loved that name. She loved that name. But she never went there. She went to a location once along the border, but that was a location that you would love to go and have dinner with your husband or whoever. That was a location that was not part of the problem. That was not really going to the border. So I– essentially she never went to the border.”

(1) As previously noted, she was not put in charge of the border and certainly did not have “everything” to do with it; (2) she was not appointed to head the border; (3) if “they” is the White House, then “they” did not call her “border czar”; (4) Trump doesn’t know what Harris might have thought about the term; (5) Harris did not go to a place at the border “you would love to go and have dinner with your husband or whoever.”

In 2021, Harris toured border patrol facilities in El Paso, Texas, visited an area where asylum seekers were screened, and met with migrants. Republicans criticized her at the time for not going to the Rio Grande Valley.

52. “Now we have the worst border in the history of the world.” 

World history is filled with cases where one country has crossed a border and invaded a neighboring country.

53. “She destroyed San Francisco. She destroyed California as the A.G. But as the D.A. She destroyed it. She– San Francisco. … She destroyed– no cash bail, weak on crime, uh, she's terrible.”

As San Francisco’s district attorney from 2004 to 2011, and then California’s attorney general until 2017, it’s true that Kamala Harris was deeply connected to how crime was prosecuted during that particular period. However, no single person is responsible for destroying any city or state, not to mention that both are not destroyed.

There are just too many factors that contribute to why crime rises and falls. What’s more, according to the FBI , both violent and property crime rates in California more or less mirrored national trends during her tenures. As a prosecutor, Harris was largely seen as aligning more with law-and-order tendencies, though she has supported some progressive reforms, like offering certain criminal defendants drug treatment instead of going to trial. She also tweeted support for a Minnesota bail fund after the 2020 protests of George Floyd’s murder. — Meg Anderson

During her campaign for the 2020 nomination, she rolled out a plan that would have phased out cash bail , and she pledged to eliminate it as president because “no one should have to sit in jail for days or even years because they don’t have the money to pay bail.” But in the same campaign, during a debate, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard criticized Harris for keeping cash bail in place as district attorney.

54. “And yet they weaponized the system against me.” 

The justice system was not weaponized against Trump. Biden went through pains to not show any interference with the Justice Department. And Trump was found guilty by a jury of his peers in New York in a state case.

55-58. “I won the big case in Florida. I won the big case. … Nobody even wrote about it. The big case.” 

(1) Trump did not “win” the classified documents case against him in Florida; (2) this was not “the big case” against him; (3) there was plenty of coverage of it; and (4) he goes on to repeat that he won the case later.

For context: the judge in the case controversially dismissed it, claiming the special counsel was unconstitutionally appointed despite Supreme Court decisions upholding independent counsels. The Justice Department has signaled it will appeal by the end of August but by the time the decision comes back, the election will be over.

Trump had four criminal cases against him including the classified documents case – the fraudulent business practices case in New York, for which he was convicted on 34 felony counts; an election interference case in Georgia; and the other federal case dealing with Jan. 6. If there was a biggest case, it was the last one.

59. “The judge was a brilliant judge, and all they do is they play the ref with the judges. But this judge was a fair but brilliant judge.”

There has been lots of criticism of the judge in the case, Aileen Cannon, who Trump appointed. She had very little experience as a trial judge, made several decisions that were questioned by legal experts and early in this case, had a ruling, in which she called for a special master to review classified documents first, overturned by the 11th Circuit.

60. “Now Biden lost it because he didn't have presidential immunity. He didn't have the Presidential Records Act. He lost it.”

This was not “Biden’s case.” It was to be tried by special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland. The Biden White House has made efforts to keep an arms-length distance from the investigation. Biden often declined to comment on the Justice Department’s and state investigations into Trump when it would likely have been politically advantageous for him to talk about it on the campaign trail.

61. “But the– I call it prosecutors, special counsel, special prosecutor to me. He–, appointed by him and appointed by Garland. He said the man's incompetent. He can't stand trial, but he can run for president.” 

This appears to be a misrepresentation of what special counsel Robert Hur said of Biden in a report he released investigating the president’s handling of classified documents. Hur said he wouldn’t be charging Biden, called the president “an elderly man with a poor memory" and said a jury might find sympathy with him because of it. He did not say Biden was incompetent and could not stand trial.

62. “She couldn't pass her bar exam.”

This is false. Harris passed her bar exam on the second try . She failed on first attempt, which is not unusual for California’s bar exam given its difficulty.

63. “I was doing very well with Black voters, and I still am. I seem to be doing very well with Black males. This is according to polls, as you know. 

Trump was not doing “very well” with Black voters. Biden was not doing as well with Black voters as he did in 2020, according to most surveys, but that didn’t mean Black voters were moving heavily toward Trump. Many seemed more likely not to vote. There were signs that Trump was doing better with Black men, but there wasn’t much good evidence to support this in polling, considering most national polls have such high margins of error with voter groups. A typical national survey might have 1,000 voters and 100 or so Black voters, give or take. That’s typically a margin of error upward of +/- 10 percentage points, meaning results could be a whopping 10 points higher or lower.

64. “Extremely well with Hispanic.”

Like with Black voters, it’s difficult to tell in most national surveys exactly how well a candidate is doing with Latino voters because of high margins of error. “Extremely well” depends on how it’s defined, but this is an exaggeration.

65. “Jewish voters, way up.”

Jewish voters traditionally vote roughly 2-to-1 for Democrats in presidential elections, so this seems more like a hope than reality.

66. “White males, way up. White males have gone through the roof. White males, way up.” 

It’s just not the case that Trump is “way up.” NPR polling finds that while Trump is doing as well as ever with white men without college degrees, Harris – and Biden before her – is actually leading with white men with college degrees, a group Trump won in 2020, according to exit polls .

67. “It could be that I'll be affected somewhat with Black females. Well, we're doing pretty well. And I think ultimately they'll like me better, because I'm gonna give them security, safety and jobs.”

Trump is not doing well with Black females. Black women are a key pillar Democratic voting group, and Black voters have moved more in Harris’ favor since she’s gotten in.

69. “We have a very bad economy right now. We could, we could literally be on the throes of a depression. Not recession, a Depression. And they can't have that. They can't have that.”

This is not the case. See earlier fact check. (He repeats this again later in the press conference, so it is included here in the count.)

70. “I know Josh Shapiro. He's a terrible guy. And he's not very popular with anybody.” 

A Fox News poll last month showed Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a finalist to be Harris’ running mate, had a 61% approval rating in the state. Other polls also found him with a net-positive rating, though, not quite as high.

71. “Listen, I had 107,000 people in New Jersey. You didn't report it.”

It was reported that the numbers come from faulty information about the size of a crowd at Trump’s rally. More accurate estimates appear to be anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 . Still, a very large crowd, but Trump is exaggerating here.

72-77. “What did she have yesterday? 2,000 people? If I ever had 2,000 people, you'd say my campaign is finished. It's so dishonest, the press. … When she gets 1,500 people, and I saw it yesterday on ABC, which they said, ‘Oh, the crowd was so big.’ … I have 10 times, 20 times, 30 times the crowd size. And no, they never say the crowd was big. … I think it's so terrible when you say, ‘Well she has 1,500 people, 1,000 people,’ and they talk about, oh, the enthusiasm.” 

(1-3) Trump gave at least three incorrect estimates here, downplaying Harris’ crowd sizes (2,000, 1,500 and 1,000); (4) He also far overestimated how big his crowd sizes are compared to Harris’; (5-6) He twice said the press is dishonest about her crowd size and about his.

For context, the Harris campaign’s estimate was 10,000 or more at each rally. What the exact number is might be unclear — as is often the case with crowd-size estimates — but they were bigger than 2,000 and 1,500. Reporters have often commented on the size of Trump’s crowds. Frequently, they are very large, certainly larger than ones that Hillary Clinton drew in 2016 or Joe Biden this year, but Trump also regularly exaggerates their sizes.

78. “If I were president, you wouldn't have Russia and Ukraine, where it never happened. Zero chance. You wouldn't have had Oct. 7th of Israel.”

This is speculation, and that there is simply no way to know what would have happened in either case if he'd been reelected.

79. “You wouldn't have had inflation. You wouldn't have had any inflation because inflation was caused by their bad energy problems.” 

Again, this is speculative. Energy and food prices jumped sharply around the world following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions on Russian energy. Gasoline prices in the U.S. hit a record high topping $5 a gallon. But domestic energy production has not suffered during the Biden administration. In fact, U.S. oil and natural gas production hit record highs last year. AAA reports the average price of gasoline today is $3.45/gallon. — Scott Horsley

80. "I don't know if you know, they're drilling now because they had to go back because gasoline was going up to $7, $8, $9 a barrel."

Oil and gas production has largely been determined by energy companies. They were disciplined about not expanding production when prices were low but have become more aggressive as prices climbed. While Kamala Harris opposed “fracking” for oil and gas during her 2019 presidential campaign, she now says she would not try to outlaw the practice – which is important in battleground states such as Pennsylvania. — Scott Horsley

81. “Everybody's going to be forced to buy an electric car, which they're not going to do because they don't want that. It's got a great market. It's got a market. It's really a sub market.”

The Biden administration has set a goal of having 50% of new vehicle sales be electric by 2030 . It has primarily tried to achieve this through carrots rather than sticks, offering incentives to make electric cars more affordable, encouraging the development of electric charging stations and using the federal government’s own purchasing power to create demand. — Scott Horsley

82. “We don't have enough electricity. We couldn't make enough electricity for that.”

A shift to electric vehicles will require a rapid updating and expansion of the U.S. power grid, according to the Electric Power Research Institute . However, as EVs become more efficient, the increased demand could be reduced by as much as 50% per mile traveled over the next three decades. — Scott Horsley

83. “The weight of a car, the weight of a truck, they want all trucks to be electric. Little things that a lot of people don't talk about. The weight of a truck is two-and-a-half times, two-and-a- half times heavier.” 

Electric vehicles are typically heavier than gasoline-powered vehicles, because of the batteries. But the weight difference is about 30% , not 250% as Trump said. What’s more, American vehicles have been getting heavier for decades, long before the move to EVs, thanks to the popularity of pickup trucks and SUVs.

84. “You would have to rebuild every bridge in this country, if you were going to do this ridiculous policy.”

While many bridges and other transportation infrastructure need improvement , the additional weight of EVs is just one of many factors that will need to be considered. Another challenge is that bridges and highways are typically funded through gasoline taxes. The shift to EVs, which don’t use gasoline, will require an alternate source of highway funding.

85-90. “So, but on crowd size in history, for any country, nobody's had crowds like I have, and you know that. And when she gets 1,000 people and everybody starts jumping, you know that if I had a thousand people would say, people would say, that's the end of his campaign. I have hundreds of thousands of people in, uh, South Carolina. I had 88,000 people in Alabama. I had 68,000 people. Nobody says about crowd size with me, but she has 1,000 people or 1,500 people, and they say, oh, the enthusiasm's back.”

There were at least six different misstatements here – (1) Trump has had large crowds, but “in history,” there certainly there have been people with larger crowds, from Barack Obama and others; (2, 3) her crowds have been larger than 1,000, which he repeats twice; (4) no serious analysts have said this is the end of Trump’s campaign. This race is very close; (5) there’s no evidence for crowds of the size Trump notes in South Carolina and Alabama; (6) people do talk about Trump’s crowd sizes.

91. “They wanna stop people from pouring into our country, from places unknown and from countries unknown from countries that nobody ever heard of.”

Someone has likely heard of whatever the unnamed country is.

92-93. “We're leading in Georgia by a lot. We're leading in Pennsylvania by a lot.”

The races in Georgia and Pennsylvania are within the margin of error, according to an average of the polls.

94. “So I won Alabama by a record. Nobody's ever gotten that many votes. I won South Carolina by a record. You don't win Alabama and South Carolina by records and lose Georgia. It doesn't happen.”

It does, and here’s why. Demographically, Georgia has become very different from South Carolina and Alabama. Georgia’s population is now majority-minority, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Alabama and South Carolina are 64% and 63% white, respectively.

Georgia’s Black population is also significant politically — 33% of the state’s population is Black. By comparison, Alabama is 27% Black, South Carolina 26%. Latinos also make up 11% of Georgia’s population and Asian Americans are 5%, both of which are higher than Alabama and South Carolina. And Georgia’s population is marginally younger — 15% of Georgia’s population is older than 65% compared to 18% in Alabama and 19% in South Carolina.

95. “If we have honest elections in Georgia, if we have honest elections in Pennsylvania, We're gonna win them by a lot.”

Winning them by a lot is highly unlikely, considering how close the states have been in recent elections, but perhaps more pressing is Trump’s insinuation that there were voting problems in the two states, which there were not. That’s why Trump is upset with Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, for example, because he upheld the valid 2020 election results even in the face of pressure from Trump.

96. “Of course there'll be a peaceful transfer. And there was last time.”

This wholly ignores the Jan. 6 siege on the Capitol, which took place because of Trump’s election lies.

97. “Because I'm leading by a lot.”

Again, this is a very close race.

98. “We have commercials that are at a level I don't think that anybody's ever done before.”

This is false. Since Super Tuesday, Democrats have outspent Trump’s campaign and outside groups supporting him by more than double, according to data provided by AdImpact and analyzed by NPR — $373.5 million to $150.6 million.

99. “She's not smart enough to do a news conference.”

There is plenty of evidence that Harris is “smart enough to do a news conference,” as she has done in the past.

100. "We're in great danger of being in World War III. That could happen." 

Again, no serious analyst believes this.

101. “I think those people were treated very harshly, when you compare them to other things that took place in this country where a lot of people were killed.”

The Justice Department investigation into the events of Jan. 6, 2021, is the largest and most complex federal criminal probe in U.S. history, the attorney general has said. More than 140 law enforcement officers were injured that day, in what U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves has described as the biggest mass casualty event involving police. It’s hard to find any comparable event in recent American history.

As of Aug. 6, 2024, according to Graves’s office, prosecutors have charged more than 160 people with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. Prosecutors have also secured convictions on the rarely-deployed charge of seditious conspiracy, or attempting to overthrow the government by use of force, against top leaders of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys.

Even so, only a small number of Jan. 6 defendants have been held in federal custody while they await trial. Mostly, these are the rioters who allegedly used the most violence on that day more than three years ago. Republican members of Congress have toured the jail facilities and decried conditions there, expressions of support that defendants facing ordinary charges in D.C. have not received. — Carrie Johnson, NPR national justice correspondent

102. “Nobody was killed on Jan. 6th.” 

Conservatives were upset at the time that one of the rioters, Ashli Babbitt, was killed when she was shot by police, as she was trying to force her way into the Speaker’s Lobby of the Capitol, which leads to the House chamber, with a crowd of others. Many officers were injured that day; one died of a stroke as a result of Jan. 6; and others later died by suicide that their families say was also a result of Jan. 6.

103-105. “And, you know, it's very interesting, the biggest crowd I've ever spoken to. … The biggest crowd I've ever spoken before was that day. … The biggest crowd I've ever spoken. … I've spoken to the biggest crowds. Nobody's spoken to crowds bigger than me.” 

It was not the biggest crowd he’s ever spoken to. His inauguration would have topped that. And others have had bigger crowds, as noted earlier.

106. “I said peacefully and patriotically.”

While Trump did utter those words, it is misleading. Trump also said the word “fight” multiple times , and he told the already angry crowd because of the election lies he fed them: “We fight like Hell and if you don’t fight like Hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” Trump aides testified that he “refused” to tweet the word “peaceful” in the days leading up to the rally because he thought it might discourage people from being there, and he was concerned about his crowd size.

107-108. “If you look at Martin Luther King, when he did his speech, his great speech, and you look at ours, same real estate, same, everything, same number of people. If not, we had more. …You look at the picture of his crowd, my crowd, uh, we actually had more people.”

First, the speeches did not take place at the “same real estate.” Trump spoke from a position just south of the Ellipse. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Second, the crowds were not the same size and Trump’s was certainly not larger. It is an extraordinary claim and shows just how much Trump cares about crowd size.

109. “We have a Constitution. It's a very important document, and we live by it. She has no votes.” 

Again, there’s nothing in the Constitution about how parties should pick their presidents.

110-111. “They said, ‘You're not going to win, you can't win, you're out.’ And at first they said it nicely, and he wasn't leaving, and then you, you know, the, you know it better than anybody. … At first, they were going to go out to another vote, they were going to go through a primary system, a quick primary system, which it would have to be. And then it all disappeared, and they just picked a person.”

As explained earlier, this is not how Biden wound up stepping aside. The story is yet another Trump invention. He also lies here in saying that “they were going to go through a primary system” and “it would have to be” a quick primary system.” There’s no requirement that a primary is held. In fact, for many years, candidates’ selection as party nominees had nothing to do with primaries, and they were not as prevalent as today.

112-113. “That was the first out. She was the first loser, OK? So, we call her the first loser. She was the first loser when– during the primary system, during the Democrat primary system, she was the first one to quit. And she quit.”

As explained earlier, Harris was not the first one out in the 2020 Democratic primary race. And “first loser” appears to be a name Trump made up at this news conference, as Harris has not been referred to that way as a result of her run for the 2020 nomination.

114. “She did, obviously, a bad job. She never made it to Iowa. Then for some reason, and I'm, I know he regrets it, you do too, uh, he picked her, and she turned on him too. She was working with the people that wanted him out."

Once again, this is a false conspiracy invented by Trump.

115. “She was the first one out.” 

Trump repeats this false line again.

116. “I think the abortion issue is written very much tempered down, and I've answered I think very well in the debate, and it seems to be much less of an issue, especially for those where they have the exceptions.”

Abortion rights as a political and social issue has certainly not “tempered down.” There are millions of women, especially across the South, who do not have access to abortion and women who have experienced pregnancy losses with the inability to access medications for those necessary procedures.

117. “As you know, and I think it's when I look for 52 years, they wanted to bring abortion back to the states. They wanted to get rid of Roe v. Wade and that's Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, and everybody. Liberals, conservatives, everybody wanted it back in the states. And I did that.”

Everybody absolutely did not want that. It was actually quite unpopular for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe . And he again repeats that it has become less of an issue.

118-119. “I think that abortion has become much less of an issue. It's a very small.” 

“I think it's actually going to be a very small issue. What I've done is I've done what every Democrat and every Every Republican wanted to have done.” 

“I think the abortion issue has been taken down many notches. I don't think it's of– I don't think it's a big factor anymore, really.”

Minutes apart from each other, he repeats these three false claims. Abortion rights is not a “very small” issue for millions of voters. Democrats are organizing around it, and it has been seminal to Biden and Harris’ campaigns.

120. “Previous to [Virginia Gov.] Glenn [Youngkin], the governor, he said the baby will be born, we will put the baby aside, and we will decide with the mother what we're going to do. In other words, whether or not we're going to kill the baby.”

This is a distortion Republicans continue to push about what former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said. This has been fact-checked by others multiple times .

121-122. “I think the abortion issue has been, uh, taken down many notches. I don't think it's of, uh, I don't think it's a big factor anymore, really.”

“Everybody wanted it in the states.”

“But that issue has is very much subdued.”

He once again returns to the issue of abortions, which remains a “factor,” not everybody wanted it in the states, the issue is not “very much subdued.”

123-124. “ She wants to take away everyone's gun.” 

Harris has not proposed taking away all guns. She has proposed banning assault-style weapons, something that was in place for a decade. Some surveys had shown majority support for this. Others show a split. (Trump makes this case later, as well, so that is also included in the count.)

125. “Some countries have actually gone the opposite way. They had very strong gun laws and now they have gone the opposite way, where they allowed people to have guns, where in one case they encouraged people to go out and get guns, and crime is down 29%.”

It’s difficult to compare gun violence and gun laws in the United States to other countries, simply because of the staggering amount of guns we have here. Although the U.S. has less than 5% of the world’s population, it holds almost 40% or more of the world’s civilian-owned guns. And it has “the highest homicide-by-firearm rate of the world’s most developed nations,” per the Council on Foreign Relations . Norway, Canada and Australia all tightened their gun restrictions after shootings. — Meg Anderson

126. “On July 4th, 117 people were shot and 17 died. The toughest gun laws in the United States are in the city of Chicago. You know that. They had 117 people shot. Afghanistan does not have that.” 

Though Trump didn’t get the numbers exactly right, Chicago did have an incredibly violent July 4th holiday weekend this year. According to Mayor Brandon Johnson, more than 100 people were shot and 19 of those people died. Chicago does have strict gun laws, in part because its state does: Everytown For Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, ranks Illinois third in the nation for the strength of its gun-control laws. However, no state or city exists within a bubble, and Illinois is surrounded by states with much weaker laws, including Indiana, which is just a short drive from Chicago. — Meg Anderson

127. “For 18 months, not one American soldier was shot at or killed, but not even shot at.” 

This is, to put it charitably, misleading. It appears that he’s actually referencing the period when the Trump administration signed the deal with the Taliban, in advance of U.S. troops leaving. The deal said the U.S. would be out in 14 months, and in exchange the Taliban wouldn’t harbor terrorists and would stop attacking U.S. service members. Needless to say, the deal didn’t hold. But as the AP notes , “There was an 18-month stretch that saw no combat, or ‘hostile,’ deaths in Afghanistan: from early February 2020 to August 2021.” – Andrew Sussman

128. “Kamala is in favor of not giving Israel weapons. That's what I hear.”

Harris does not support an Israel weapons embargo. A Biden administration official posted on social media that Harris "has been clear: she will always ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups.” A leader of the uncommitted movement said Harris “expressed an openness” to a meeting about an embargo, but the Biden administration official said Harris "will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and to uphold international humanitarian law,” not that she would support an embargo.

129. “She's been very, very bad to Israel, and she's been very bad and disrespectful to Jewish people.”

Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish. The couple has hosted Passover Seders.

130. “Well, I know Willie Brown very well. In fact, I went down in a helicopter with him. We thought maybe this is the end. We were in a helicopter going to a certain location together and there was an emergency landing.”

This claim has not held up to scrutiny. Politico reported that Trump did have to make an emergency landing in a helicopter with a Black California politician decades ago, but it wasn’t Willie Brown, the former San Francisco mayor and state assembly speaker. It was Nate Holden, a former Los Angeles city councilman and state senator.

131-132. “This was not a pleasant landing, and Willie was— he was a little concerned. So I know him. I know him pretty well. I mean, I haven't seen him in years. But he told me terrible things about her.”

“He was not a fan of hers very much at that point.”

This is something Trump repeated twice, minutes apart from each other. Brown strongly denies having been on a helicopter with Trump or telling Trump negative things about Harris, whom he dated in the mid-1990s and supports now for president. The relationship ended in 1995.

133. “Our tax cuts, which are the biggest in history… .”

The 2017 tax cuts were not the biggest in history. As a share of the economy, they barely make the top 10 . They were big enough, however, to blow a big hole in the federal budget, which is why Trump was overseeing a nearly $1 trillion dollar annual deficit before the pandemic. — Scott Horsley

134. “It'll destroy the economy.”

This is what Trump said will happen if his tax cuts are not renewed. But The 2017 tax cut did not deliver the economic boom that its supporters promised, and there’s no reason to think reversing a portion of the cut would cause economic destruction. — Scott Horsley

135. “I've never seen people get elected by saying, 'We're going to give you a tax increase.'”

Vice President Harris has echoed President Biden’s pledge not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000. However, Biden has called for raising taxes on wealthy individuals and raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% – halfway back to where it was before the 2017 cut. — Scott Horsley

136. “These guys get up, think of it. ‘We're going to give you no security.’ …”

No Democratic presidential candidate has advocated “no security.”

137. “We're going to give you a weak military… .’ ”

An analysis by the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, showed a “review of historical defense budget trends shows there is more at play in determining overall investments in defense than just which party is in the White House.” Indeed, since the year 2000, U.S.-led wars overseas have resulted in a surge of spending by both Democratic and Republican administrations.

138-139. “…We're going to give you no walls, no borders, no anything.”

Harris, Walz and the Democratic Party have never said they want “no borders.” They certainly oppose Trump’s wall/fence along the entire U.S.-Mexico border, citing the exorbitant cost and its relative ineffectiveness, they say, compared to using other methods. (Trump later says that Harris wants “open borders,” so that’s included in the count here.)

140. “...We're going to give you a tax increase.”

Again, this is misleading and suggests Harris wants to increase taxes across the board when they have consistently talked about increasing taxes only on the wealthy. In Harris’ view, those making more than $400,000 a year .

141. “They're gonna destroy Social Security.”

Democrats have consistently advocated for keeping Social Security and making it solvent.

142. “They've weaponized government against me. Look at the Florida case. It was a totally weaponized case. All of these cases, by the way, the New York cases are totally controlled out of the Department of Justice. They sent their top person to the various places. They went to the A.G.'s office, got that one going, then he went to the D.A.'s office, got that one going, ran through it. No, no, this is all politics, and it's a disgrace.”

In congressional testimony this year, Attorney General Merrick Garland told lawmakers that President Biden had never called him to discuss any of the cases against Trump. Garland also had aides review Justice Department leaders’ email for any correspondence with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. In a letter to Congress in June 2024, the Justice Department said it had found no such contacts.

In that same letter, Justice Department legislative affairs chief Carlos Uriarte said the department did not “dispatch” former acting Associate Attorney General Matthew Colangelo to New York to join Bragg’s team prosecuting Trump. “Department leadership was unaware of his work on the investigation and prosecution involving the former president until it was reported in the news,” Uriarte wrote. — Carrie Johnson

143. “Any time you have mail-in ballots, you're gonna have problems. ... We should have one-day voting; we should have paper ballots; we should have voter ID; and we should have proof of citizenship.” 

Trump continues to spread baseless claims about mail ballots. There’s no proof of widespread fraud with the voting method. When it comes to paper ballots, they're standard. One estimate found that in the 2024 general election, "nearly 99% of all registered voters will live in jurisdictions where they can cast a ballot with a paper record of the vote."

The proof of citizenship comment echoes a Republican push on the issue , though studies have shown voting by non-U.S. citizens in federal elections to be exceedingly rare. The GOP-led House has passed a bill to require such documentary proof, but it’s likely to go no further in a Senate led by Democrats who are opposed to adding new voting restrictions. — Ben Swasey, voting editor

144. “The polls have suggested, there are some polls that say we're going to win in a landslide.” 

There are no polls that suggest Trump will win in a landslide. By all accounts, this is a very close race.

145. “...they're paying 50, 60, 70 percent more for food than they did just a couple of years ago.”

The rise in grocery prices is a common complaint , but Trump exaggerates the scale of the increase. According to the Consumer Price Index, grocery prices have risen 25% since before the pandemic and 21% since President Biden took office. (At the same time, average wages have risen 23% since before the pandemic and 17% since President Biden took office.)

146-149. The Strategic National Reserve is “virtually empty now. We've never had it this low.”

“He's sucked all of the oil out.”

“Essentially the gasoline to keep the, to keep the price down a little bit. … But you know what? We have no strategic national reserves now. He's emptied it. It's almost empty. It's never been this low.”

“They've just, for the sake of getting some votes, for the sake of having gasoline–. You know, that's meant for wars. It's meant for, like, tragedy. It's not meant to keep a gasoline price down, so that somebody can vote for Biden or, in this case, Kamala.” 

The strategic oil reserve is actually up in the past year . Biden has since repurchased about 32 million barrels of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. As of this month, the reserve held about 376 million barrels of oil. The reserve was lower when Trump left office than when he got in.

150. “I see it right now, I see her going way down on the polls now.”

The opposite is true. Harris has continued her momentum since getting into the race.

151-152. “...now that people are finding out that she destroyed San Francisco, she destroyed the state of California.” 

As addressed earlier, Harris is not entirely responsible for San Francisco or the state of California. Crime trends there were similar to national crime trends during her time as district attorney in San Francisco and as the state’s attorney general. What’s more, preliminary data for this year indicates that many cities in California, including San Francisco, are seeing murder rates falling. (Trump repeats the claim one more time later in the news conference, so it is included in the count here.) — Meg Anderson

153. “She was early, I mean, she was the first of the prosecutors, really, you know, now you see Philadelphia, you see Los Angeles, you see New York, you see various people that are very bad, but she was the first of the bad prosecutors, she was early.”

Although Harris did refer to herself in her 2019 memoir as a “progressive prosecutor,” her legacy has largely been seen as tougher on crime. She has supported some progressive reforms, such as pretrial diversion, which offers certain criminal defendants things like drug treatment instead of going to trial. — Meg Anderson

154. “You know, with Hillary Clinton, I could have done things to her that would have made your head spin. I thought it was a very bad thing – take the wife of a president of the United States, and put her in jail. And then I see the way they treat me. That's the way it goes. But I was very protective of her. Nobody would understand that. But I was. I think my people understand it. They used to say, lock her up, lock her up. And I'd say, just relax, please.”

Trump called for Clinton’s imprisonment multiple times , including going along with crowd chants of “lock her up.”

155. “Don't forget, she got a subpoena from the United States Congress, and then after getting the subpoena, she destroyed everything that she was supposed to get. 

Clinton aides requested emails be deleted months before the subpoena, and the FBI said there’s no evidence the messages were deleted with a subpoena in mind. — Carrie Johnson

156. “I thought it was so bad to take her, and put her in jail, the wife of a president of the United States. And then, when it's my turn, nobody thinks that way.”

The Justice Department closed an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server to conduct some State Department business in 2016. Then-FBI Director Jim Comey gave a press conference to explain his reasoning in July of that election year. Comey said, “We did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information,” but he criticized Clinton and her aides for being “extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information” that flowed through the server.

By contrast, prosecutors in the Florida case against former President Donald Trump said Trump had flouted requests from the FBI and a subpoena for highly classified materials he stored in unsecure spaces like a ballroom and a bathroom at his Mar-a-Lago resort. The indictment in that case accuses Trump of unlawfully retaining government secrets and of intentionally obstructing justice with the help of an aide who moved boxes of materials and otherwise allegedly thwarted the FBI probe. Trump and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty. The Justice Department says it is appealing the district court’s decision to toss the case on constitutional grounds. — Carrie Johnson

157. “A lot of the MAGA, as they call them, but the base. And I think the base is, I think the base is 75% of the country, far beyond the Republican Party.”

Rounding up, Trump won 46% of the vote in 2016 and 47% of the vote in 2020. He has a high floor, but a low ceiling politically. Majorities continue to say they have an unfavorable rating of Trump, which has been consistent for years. No American presidential candidate has ever gotten 75% of the vote in this country, dating back to 1824 since data was kept for popular votes. Lyndon B. Johnson got 61% in 1964, Richard Nixon slightly less than 61% in 1972, Ronald Reagan 59% in 1984. Since then, Barack Obama got nearly 53% in 2008 and 51% in 2012, the first candidate since Eisenhower to win at least 51% of the vote twice.

158. “My sons are members, and I guess indirectly I'm a member, too.”

Trump here is talking about membership in the National Rifle Association. Another family member being an NRA member does not make someone else an NRA member “indirectly.”

159. “She served 24 years for being on a phone call having to do with drugs. You know who I'm talking about. She was great. And she had another 24 years to go. And it was largely about marijuana, which in many cases is now legalized, OK?”

Presumably, Trump is talking about Alice Marie Johnson, who had been convicted on cocaine conspiracy and money laundering charges . Kim Kardashian advocated for Johnson and won a pardon for her from Trump.

160. “They're either really stupid, and I don't believe they're stupid, because anybody that can cheat in elections like they cheat is not stupid.”

More than 60 court cases proved there was not widespread fraud or cheating that would have made any difference in any state.

161. “Lately I've seen where they're trying to sign these people up to vote. And they have to stop. They cannot let illegal immigrants vote in this upcoming election.”

This is a conspiracy not based in fact. Immigrants in the country illegally cannot vote in presidential elections, and there’s no evidence there is an intentional effort to sign them up in mass numbers to sway elections.

162. “If you go to California, and you ask the people of California, do they like the idea of sanctuary cities? They don't like it.”

The subject of sanctuary cities actually mostly splits Californians. Slim majorities have actually said that they favor the sanctuary-state law and are against their cities opting out of the law. Of course, this breaks down along party lines, and since California is heavily Democratic, those results might not be surprising. But it’s more divided than Trump suggests.

• 2024 presidential election

Money blog: Fines for parents taking children out of school to change next month

Welcome to the Money blog, a hub of personal finance and consumer news/tips. Leave a comment on any of the stories we're covering in the box below - we round them up every Saturday.

Friday 16 August 2024 09:52, UK

• Fines for parents taking children out of school to increase next month
• Mortgage product shelf life drops significantly in sign of volatility
• The UK's highest-earning roads revealed

Essential reads

• Is this the end of the British pub?
• What's gone wrong at Asda?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive of features

Tips and advice

• All the discounts you get as a student or young person
• TV chef picks best cheap eats in London
• Savings Guide : Why you should now be checking T&Cs
• 'I cancelled swimming with weeks of notice - can they keep my money?'

Ask a question or make a comment

A Cabinet Office minister has said it is "unfair" to suggest other public sector workers will be queuing up for a pay rise after the government's offer of a 15% increase for train drivers and junior doctors.

"I think that's an unfair characterisation as well," paymaster general Nick Thomas-Symonds told Times Radio.

"I think what is absolutely crucial here is we are a Government again that is sticking to the promises we made in opposition.

"We promised we would sit down and find solutions, and people expressed scepticism about that, but actually that is precisely what we have done in Government."

Last month, the government and the British Medical Association struck an improved pay deal for junior doctors in England worth 22% on average over two years.

Meanwhile, train drivers will vote on a new pay deal following talks between representatives of drivers' union ASLEF and the Department for Transport.

The new offer is for a 5% backdated pay rise for 2022/23, a 4.75% rise for 23/24, and 4.5% increase for 24/25.

The Dartford Crossing is the highest-earning toll road in the UK, new data shows. 

The Kent to Essex route raked in £215.9m in the last year - 2,159 times more than the Whitney toll bridge in Hereford. 

The crossing, which was supposed to stop charging customers in 2003, costs between £2 and £6 to use (depending on the vehicle you're driving) between 10am and 6pm every day. 

Car finance company Moneybarn found it earned just over £209m in 2022. 

It topped the chart of 13 toll roads in the country, making over £100m more than the second highest-earning road in 2023 - the M6 Toll in the West Midlands. 

In third place was the Mersey Gateway Bridge between Halton and Cheshire, which made £48.9m. 

You can see how the other toll roads fared below... 

Fines for parents who take their children out of school will increase this upcoming term as the government continues with plans to improve attendance. 

From next week, fines for unauthorised absences will go up by as much as £40.

Under the new system, the cost of a penalty charge notice will rise from £60 to £80 if paid within 21 days, and from £120 to £160 if paid within 28 days . 

This marks the first increases since the system was introduced in 2013. 

So, when do parents get fined? 

Children are only allowed to miss school if they are unwell, or they have been given permission from the school in advance. 

Parents can make an absence request to take their children out of school, but there needs to be "exceptional circumstances" and the headteacher needs to authorise it. 

Currently, it's the responsibility of the local authority to decide when to issue fines, meaning the process varies from council to council.

But, under the new rules which were created by the Conservative government, all schools will be required to consider a fine when a child has missed at least five days of school for unauthorised reasons.

What happens if you keep getting fined? 

If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160.

A parent can only receive two fines within any three-year period, and once this has been met, other actions can be considered. 

This includes a parenting order or prosecution. 

Parents who are prosecuted and attend court because their child hasn't been attending school, can be fined up to £2,500.

Where is the money spent?

Government guidance states any money collected from fines should be used by the local authority to cover the costs of administering the system. 

Any surplus after that should be spent on "attendance support". 

Any cash remaining at the end of the year must be paid to the education secretary.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "High and rising school standards are at the heart of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. Strong foundations of learning are grounded in attendance in the classroom.

"Tackling the root causes of absence is a major priority for the government. 

"Our support-first approach outlined in our guidance is designed to help parents to meet their responsibility to ensure their child attends school.

"However, in some cases, including term-time holidays, it may be necessary to issue penalty notices." 

Every Friday we take an overview of the mortgage market, speaking to those in the industry before getting a round-up of the best rates courtesy of the independent experts at  Moneyfactscompare.co.uk .

Over recent months and years, the release of monthly inflation data has had a big impact on forecasts for interest rate cuts - but not this week.

Following a slight uptick in inflation to 2.2% in July, announced on Wednesday, markets were pretty unmoved at pricing in a 63% chance of a base rate cut next Monday.

Investors still think there will be two further cuts this year, bringing the base rate down to 4.5% by Christmas.

On the high street, rate cuts we've mentioned for a month or two now continued this week, with the lowest five-year fixed available now 4.83% - with NatWest, Barclays and Nationwide all settling there for now.

Moneyfacts finance expert Rachel Springall said: "Nationwide Building Society was one of many mutuals to cut fixed rates this week - it now offers a five-year fixed as low as 3.83%. NatWest also cut rates by up to 0.20% and Virgin Money made similar reductions."

Looking specifically at home movers, Springall has some data that shows the difference between now and this point five years ago.

"Home movers who want to lock into a longer-term fixed mortgage will find the average overall five-year fixed rate is much higher than it was back in August 2019, which was 2.84%. Week on week, the overall average two-year and five-year fixed rate mortgage fell to 5.66% and 5.29% respectively."

Away from rate changes from some of the big lenders, one of the most telling insights into the mortgage market this week came with statistics about the average shelf-life of mortgage products.

Springall said: "The volatility within the mortgage market was made clear by the notable drop in the average shelf-life of a mortgage to just 17 days, down from 30 in June. 

"There are expectations for rates to fall further in the weeks to come, particularly as the market reflects on the 0.25% base rate cut, the first cut in over four years."

Here's a look at the look at the best rates currently on offer for house purchases...

Moneyfacts also looks at what it calls "best buys" - which considers not just the rate, but other costs and incentives. These are their top picks this week...

British pubs are in trouble, with more of them closing every year. 

Once the beloved watering holes for many communities, they have fallen victim to higher costs, changing habits and "the real estate incentive". 

Some 239 pubs closed in England and Wales during the first three months of the year, according to government figures – 56% more than in the same period in 2023. 

Our Money reporter Brad Young has been exploring whether this is the end of the British pub as we know it. 

Earlier this week, he spoke to communities and experts about the reasons behind recent closures - you can read his piece here . 

In the video below, Brad explains three reasons why pubs are struggling. 

Amazon has been cleared for take-off with the testing of new drone delivery in the UK.

Amazon Prime Air already offers drone deliveries in the US with drones able to fly 12km from their fulfilment centres. 

But the service could now come to the UK, with Amazon hoping to launch it by the end of the year. It has ambitions of delivering small packages within an hour of an order being placed.

The online retailer is one of six organisations taking part in a new trial from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) - with other projects including using drones to inspect offshore windfarms, for policing and delivering medical supplies. 

The trials will gather safety data and look at how drones can detect and avoid other aircraft while up in the air. 

"Our goal is to make drone operations beyond visual line of sight a safe and everyday reality, contributing to the modernisation of UK airspace and the incorporation of new technology into our skies," said Sophie O'Sullivan, from the CAA.

Octopus Energy is launching "free electricity sessions" for its customers when wholesale prices plummet. 

Starting from today, those who are signed up to the "Octoplus" rewards scheme can take part. 

The one-hour-long sessions will be available whenever the wholesale electricity price hits zero or goes into negative figures, the energy firm said.

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product officer at Octopus Energy, said: "Free electricity sounds like it's too good to be true but it's real.

"By using more when there is plenty of renewable energy instead of when the grid is dirty, our customers can save money while making the grid greener and more efficient. It's a win-win for our customers and the planet." 

How does it work? 

Those who have signed up for the free electricity will be notified the day before the session will take place. 

On its website, the company said the free period will generally be between 1pm to 2pm. 

During that time, customers can use as much electricity as they want, with all the power used above their typical usage not costing anything. 

Within a week, customers will receive an email telling them how much extra power they used, and within two weeks, they will see that amount paid into their account as bill credit. 

How many sessions will there be? 

There are no set amount of sessions planned to take place as they are based on dips in the market, which is changing all the time. 

However, Octopus Energy has said it is hoping for at least two or three before winter.

In the last year, it said there had been 14 days when electricity prices dropped below £0 due to excess renewable energy being generated. 

"During these times, wind farms are often paid to shut down to prevent grid overload, meaning valuable green electrons go to waste," it added.

"By powering up during these periods, households can maximise green energy availability - making the system more efficient and lowering system costs for all." 

It's important to know that you must have a working electric smart meter in order to take part. 

You can read all the terms and conditions here ... 

Drivers are being told to avoid scanning QR codes to pay for parking in light of a spate of scams.

Motorists should only make payments with cash, cards or using official apps, the RAC has warned.

It comes after fraudsters placed stickers with fake QR codes on parking signs in Barking and Dagenham, Northumberland, Northamptonshire, South Tyneside and Pembrokeshire (among others).

When drivers scan the codes, they are taken to a scam website where they are asked to enter their card details, which the criminals use to take money from their accounts.

"As if this scam isn't nasty enough, it can also lead to drivers being caught out twice if they don’t realise they haven't paid for parking and end up getting a hefty fine from the council," says RAC head of policy Simon Williams. 

And depending on where you are in the UK, that fine can be anything from £50 to £300. 

Thousands of prosecutions for alleged fare evasion are set to be declared void after a judge ruled they were wrongly made. 

It means people who previously paid fines for fare evasion could be due a refund, with a team being set up by the end of November to identify everyone unlawfully prosecuted. 

Four train companies including Northern Rail and Greater Anglia brought prosecutions against thousands of passengers using the single justice procedure (SJP) - despite not being permitted to do so.

The SJP was set up in 2015 to allow magistrates to decide on minor offences, such as using a television without a licence or driving without car insurance, without defendants going to court.

But concerns have been raised that cases are being brought before magistrates without prosecutors, or without any mitigation being taken into account. 

Rail companies were permitted to use the SJP in 2016 to prosecute privately fare evaders, but the Evening Standard reported that several of these cases were brought under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889, which is not allowed under the procedure.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Westminster Magistrates' Court in June that thousands of prosecutions were "probably unlawful".

The exact number of those affected is currently unknown, with a previous hearing told around 75,000 people could have been prosecuted for fare evasion offences under the SJP.

Northern Rail, just one of the companies involved, said it apologised for the errors involved.

Greater Anglia also said it acknowledged "a series of significant errors" had occurred.

Locals in a trendy London neighbourhood have signed a petition against Gail's bakery setting up shop in their area.

After (unconfirmed) rumours began circulating that the chain was looking to open a site in Walthamstow village, more than 600 have signed a petition opposing the plans.

The petition, which features a cross made out of two baguettes over the company logo, says the village "faces a threat to its uniqueness" should Gail's move into the area.

"Gail's, although respected for their quality, bring a risk of overshadowing our much-loved local stores due to their massive scale and advertising reach," it continues.

"This could lead to decreased visibility and pedestrian traffic towards independently run businesses, threatening their very existence and dismantling the character and diversity crucial to Walthamstow's charm."

Local business owners have also said they oppose the plans because of the pro-Brexit and anti-lockdown views of Luke Johnson, the company’s minority investor.

Adrian Spurdon, a barista at an independent coffee shop, said Mr Johnson's views clashed with the politics of Walthamstow.

He told The Times: "We've just had this big, diverse counter-protest to protect Walthamstow from the far-right and I doubt Luke Johnson would support that.

"He is very different to the people here. His views are not the same."

The opening of a Gail's - where a regular latte will set you back £4.10 - has become a mark of prosperity in the area. 

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the party looked at where the bakery chain had opened as an indicator of constituencies that could turn yellow, while the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton is known to be partial to their chocolate brownie finger. 

A spokesman for Gail's said: "We understand the concern around chains, but our view is that a healthy high street is one with a diversity of quality offers, each delivering their best.

"High streets evolve over time and we open our small bakeries often in closed banks or stranded restaurants.

"All of our bakeries exist in areas where the choices are wide and growing – we should be celebrating the improvement in our food landscapes."

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Inside the Worst Three Weeks of Donald Trump’s 2024 Campaign

People around the former and would-be president see a candidate knocked off his bearings, disoriented by his new contest with Kamala Harris and unsure of how to take her on.

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By Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan

The Aug. 2 dinner at the Bridgehampton, N.Y., home of Howard Lutnick, the Cantor Fitzgerald chief executive, was a high-powered affair. Among the roughly 130 people who dined under an air-conditioned tent were some of Donald Trump’s wealthiest supporters, including the billionaire hedge-fund financier Bill Ackman, who sat next to the former president, and Omeed Malik, the president of another fund, 1789 Capital.

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