What is the first paragraph of a cover letter that grabs the reader's attention and notes how you found the position?

• A. First Paragraph
• B. Salutation
• C. Body of the Letter
• D. Closing

Answer: (A)

The opening paragraph should grab attention and note how you found the position. This immediate hook works because it quickly establishes relevance and shows you’re genuinely interested and informed about the opening.

By starting with a concise statement of why you’re interested and mentioning how you discovered the job, you set a clear, focused tone for the letter. It signals to the reader that you’ve thought about why this particular role matters to you and that you found the listing through a specific channel, which can add credibility and context. This opening also invites the reader to continue, since it previews your fit and your reason for reaching out.

In practice, you want a short opening that includes: a line about the role you’re pursuing, a note on how you found the job (the source or referral), and a hint of what you bring to the table that's relevant to the role. The rest of the letter can then supply concrete examples, details about your qualifications, and how you’d contribute to the company.

The salutation simply greets the reader, the body expands on your qualifications, and the closing wraps up with a call to action. The opening is where the reader decides to keep going, so you want it to be the most compelling part of the letter.