is a cover letter required for a job

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

After weeks of heavy job search, you’re almost there!

You’ve perfected your resume. 

You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.

You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.

But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires a cover letter.

Now you’re stuck wondering how to write a cover letter ...

Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think. 

In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.

• What’s a cover letter & why it’s important for your job search
• How to write a convincing cover letter that gets you the job (step-by-step!)
• How to perfect your cover letter with the Novoresume free checklist
• What excellent cover letter examples look like

New to cover letter writing? Give our resumes 101 video a watch before diving into the article!

So, let’s get started with the basics!

What is a Cover Letter? (and Why It’s Important)

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application (alongside your CV or Resume). 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can spark the HR manager’s interest and get them to read your resume. 

A bad cover letter, on the other hand, might mean that your application is going directly to the paper shredder. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

How does a good cover letter look, you might ask. Well, here’s an example:

Keep in mind, though, that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you don’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume.

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, writing all this might seem pretty tough. After all, you’re probably not a professional writer.

The thing is, though, you don’t need to be creative, or even any good at writing. All you have to do is follow a tried-and-tested format:

• Header - Input contact information
• Greeting the hiring manager
• Opening paragraph - Grab the reader’s attention with 2-3 of your top achievements
• Second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job
• Third paragraph - Explain why you’re a good match for the company
• Formal closing

Or, here’s what this looks like in practice:

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (And Get Hired!)

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, we’re going to guide you through the process of writing a cover letter step by step. 

Step #1 - Pick the Right Cover Letter Template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, visual template?

You can simply pick one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in a jiffy!

As a bonus, our AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter on the go.

Step #2 - Start the Cover Letter with a Header

As with a resume, it’s important to start your cover letter with a Contact Information section:

Here, you want to include all essential information, including:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

In certain cases, you might also consider adding:

• Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
• Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your blog.

And here’s what you shouldn’t mention in your header:

• Your Full Address 
• Unprofessional Email - Make sure your email is presentable. It’s pretty hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected].” Whenever applying for jobs, stick to the “[first name] + [last name] @ email provider.com” format.

Step #3 - Greet the Hiring Manager

Once you’ve properly listed your contact information, you need to start writing the cover letter contents.

The first thing to do here is to address the cover letter to the hiring manager .

That’s right, the hiring manager! Not the overly popular “Dear Sir or Madam.” You want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really passionate about working with their team.

No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes to get hired in any of them.

So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager? There are several ways to do this. 

The simplest option is to look up the head of the relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably Head of Communications or Chief Communications Office.

So, you do a quick lookup on LinkedIn:

And voila! You have your hiring manager.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of a server. In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager.”

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

Here are several other greetings you could use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

Step #4 - Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph .

The #1 problem we see with most cover letter opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Most of them look something like this..

• Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say pretty much anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.

Do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.

Instead, you want to start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.

So now, let’s make our previous example shine:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed their sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the job.

See the difference between the two examples? If you were the hiring manager, which sales manager would you hire, Jonathan or Michael?

Now that we’ve covered the introduction, let’s talk about the body of your cover letter. This part is split into two paragraphs: the first is for explaining why you’re the perfect person for the job, and the latter is for proving that you’re a good fit for the company.

So, let’s get started...

Step #5 - Explain why you’re the perfect person for the job

This is where you show off your professional skills and convince the HR manager that you’re a better fit for the job than all the other applicants.

But first things first - before you even write anything, you need to learn what the most important requirements for the role are. So, open up the job ad and identify which of the responsibilities are the most critical.

For the sake of the example, let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. You scan the job ad and see that the top requirements are:

• Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
• Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
• Excellent copywriting skills

Now, in this section, you need to discuss how you fulfill these requirements. So, here’s how that would look for our example:

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation & management process end-to-end. Meaning, I created the ad copy , images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

• Google Search

Are you a student applying for your first internship? You probably don’t have a lot of work experience to show off in this section. Learn how to write an internship cover letter here.

Step #6 - Explain why you’re a good fit for the company

Once you’ve written the last paragraph, you might be thinking - I’m a shoo-in for the job! What else do I need to write? I’ll just wrap up the cover letter and hit that sweet SEND button.

Well, no. You’re not quite there yet.

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

Meaning, you also need to convince the HR manager that you’re really passionate about working with them.

How do you do this? Well, as a start, you want to do some research about the company. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company product or service? Have you used it?
• What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

So, get to Googling. Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or somewhere around the web.

Then, you need to figure out what you like about the company and turn that into text.

Let’s say, for example, you’re passionate about their product and you like the culture of innovation / independent work in the organization.

You’d write something like:

I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2 were real game changers for the device. 

I really admire how Company XYZ thrives for excellence for all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone that thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I and Company XYZ will be a great match.

What you don’t want to do here is be super generic for the sake of having something to write. Most job seekers tend to mess this one up. Let’s take a look at a very common example we tend to see (way too often):

I’d love to work for Company XYZ because of its culture of innovation. I believe that since I’m super creative, I’d be a good fit for the company. The company values of integrity and transparency really vibe with me.

See what’s wrong here? The example doesn’t really say anything about the company. “Culture of Innovation” is something most companies claim to have. 

The same goes for “values of integrity and transparency” - the writer just googled what the values for the organization are, and said that they like them.

Any hiring manager that reads this will see through the fluff.

So, make sure to do a lot of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying.

Step #7 - Wrap up with a call to action

Finally, it’s time to finish up your cover letter and write the conclusion.

In the final paragraph, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? Any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision? Mention it here.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. It never hurts to be courteous, as long as you don’t come off as too needy.
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. You should ask the hiring manager to take some sort of action.

And now, let’s turn this into a practical example:

So to wrap it all up, thanks for looking into my application. I hope I can help Company X make the most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your facebook marketing goals.

Step #8 - Use the right formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions to a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

And we’re finally done! Before sending off the cover letter, make sure to proofread it with software like Grammarly, or maybe even get a friend to review it for you.

Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?

• Professional email
• Relevant Social Media Profiles

Do you address the right person? I.e. hiring manager in the company / your future direct supervisor

Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?

• Did you mention 2-3 of your top achievements?
• Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?

Do you successfully convey that you’re the right pro for the job?

• Did you identify the core requirements?
• Did you successfully convey how your experiences help you fit the requirements perfectly?

Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?

• Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
• Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?

Did you finalize the conclusion with a call to action?

Did you use the right formal closure for the cover letter?

5+ Cover Letter Examples

Need some inspiration? Read on to learn about some of the best cover letter examples we’ve seen (for different fields).

College Student Cover Letter Example

Middle Management Cover Letter Example

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Management Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Want to discover more examples AND learn what makes them stand out? Check out our guide to cover letter examples .

Next Steps in Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume

Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught. 

After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.

...But don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered on that end, too.

If you want to learn more about Resumes & CVs, we have a dedicated FREE guide for that. Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume , as well as how to write a CV - our experts will teach you everything you need to know in order to land your dream job.

Or, if you’re already an expert, just pick one of our resume templates and get started.

Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

• A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that convinces the hiring manager of your competence
• A cover letter goes in your job application alongside your resume
• Your introduction to the cover letter should grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep it all the way until the conclusion
• There are 2 main topics you need to include in your cover letter: why you’re the perfect candidate for the job & why you’re passionate about working in the company you’re applying to
• Most of the content of your cover letter should be factual , without any fluff or generalizations

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides…

• How to Write a Motivational Letter
• How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience
• Most Common Interview Questions and Answers

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More From Forbes

How to craft a compelling cover letter.

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During the job application process, you should always submit a cover letter alongside your resume. This is particularly important when you’re applying for more competitive, senior positions.

A carefully crafted cover letter allows you to grab the recruiter’s attention and explain to them why you're the best candidate for the job.

But this will only happen if it’s well-written, so your cover letter needs to be persuasive, concise, and engaging. That’s a lot of pressure on just a few sentences, but getting it right will boost your chances of getting a response.

Here is how to craft a compelling cover letter, along with some top tips to increase your chances of securing an interview.

Understand how to set out your cover letter

Your cover letter should appear in the body of an email or as a message if you’re applying through a job site. You should avoid attaching your letter as a separate document, otherwise the recipient is unlikely to read it.

It’s also important that you keep your cover letter short and sweet, remembering that recruiters are busy people and they have to review a lot of applications every day.

With that in mind, it’s best to stick to between 4 and 6 short and snappy sentences.

Make your subject line appealing

The first thing the recruiter will see when they open their inbox is the subject line and a bad subject can instantly ruin your chances of them opening your email at all.

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Instead, you need to stand out and give them a reason to read on.

Don’t simply label the email with the job title or the phrase ‘job application’. Go one step further to prove you are the perfect candidate in just a few words.

What this means is providing a subject line that is a short summary of your experience. For example, ‘project manager with 15 years experience’ or ‘web developer with JavaScript experience’.

Kick-off with a strong introduction

The purpose of your cover letter is to engage the reader instantly and make them want to review your resume and get to know more about you.

So you need to kick off with a strong introduction.

This means addressing the recipient by their name, whether that’s the hiring manager or the employer. You might need to do a little research to find this information, either using the job description, LinkedIn, or the company website.

You should also try to steer clear of overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam” and instead, take a professional but friendly tone starting with ‘hello’ or ‘hi’.

Next, your introductory sentence should outline which role you're applying for and demonstrate what makes you the most suitable candidate for the role.

Crafting a compelling cover letter can be the key to securing your next role.

Showcase your most relevant skills and experience

It can be tricky to know what to include in your cover letter , but the body of your email (or message) should be made up of three or four sentences that highlight your key skills and experience.

You can use the job description to determine which skills and abilities are most important to the employer. That way, you can highlight these and show them what you have to offer.

You should also provide examples from past roles that prove how your previous experience has shaped you and made you the ideal candidate.

Just remember that you only have a few sentences in which to impress them, so first focus on any requirements that are essential to the job. That way, the reader can instantly see that you’re a good fit.

This will encourage them to open your resume.

End with a strong call to action

You should conclude your letter by once again expressing your enthusiasm for the role and stating your desire to secure a personal interview.

Remember, recruiters are busy people, so it’s also important to thank them for taking the time to read and consider your application.

Proofread your letter very carefully

Once you've finished writing your cover letter, you need to proofread it thoroughly to make sure there are no errors. In fact, it’s best to do this several times.

A polished and compelling cover letter should not have any spelling or grammatical mistakes.

This looks unprofessional and sloppy, so take the time to re-read your application. You might even consider using an online spell checker or have a friend or family member review your letter before you send it off, just to be sure.

A well-structured cover letter, complete with tailored, impactful writing is the key to standing out in a crowded job market, and help you to land a job quicker than the average time of 3.8 months.

So, if you hope to secure an interview, be sure to use these tips and insights to craft an engaging and compelling cover letter. It may only be a few sentences long, but it really can give you a competitive edge.

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What to Include in a Cover Letter for a Job

When writing a cover letter , specific information needs to be included: a contact section, a salutation, an introduction to the hiring manager, information on why you are qualified for the job, a closing, and your signature. The way the information is listed and the format depend on how you are sending your letter. 

The goal of your cover letter is to make a case for getting selected for a job interview, so it's important to include all required information along with a compelling argument for why you would be a  strong candidate for the position .

It can be time-consuming to write  a custom cover letter  for each job you apply for, but it's important to take the time and effort to show the company why you are a good match.

The more your experience and your skills match the job description, the higher your chances of getting picked for an interview.

Be sure to include information in your letter about how you possess the particular skills and requirements that the employer is seeking.

Don't simply repeat what's in your resume. Your resume lists your skills, but your cover letter should highlight how you have put those skills to use.

Before you start writing, review cover letter examples and make sure that your letter explains  how your skills relate to the criteria  listed in the job posting. Looking at examples of effective cover letters will give you a starting point for creating your own letter.

Here's what to include in a cover letter to send with a resume when you apply for a job.

What to List in a Cover Letter Contact Section

When writing a cover letter to mail or to upload to a job board or company website, the first section of your cover letter should include information on how the employer can contact you.

Printed or Uploaded Letter List the following information in the contact section:

Hiring Manager Name (if you have it) Title Company Address City, State Zip Code

Your Name Address City, State Zip

Email Cover Letter When you send an email cover letter , include your contact information in your signature instead of listing your contact information at the top of the message:

Your Name Street Address City, State Zip Code Email Phone LinkedIn

Here's more information, with examples, on how to address a cover letter .

Choose an Appropriate Salutation

It's important to include an appropriate greeting at the beginning of the cover letter or message. If you have a contact person for your letter, be sure to include their name in your letter.

Consider salutation examples that are appropriate for cover letters and other employment-related correspondence.

For example:

• Dear Hiring Manager (if you don't have a contact person)
• Dear Mr. Smith
• Dear Ms. Jones
• Dear Rory Dolan
• Dear Dr. Milliard

Highlight Your Qualifications in the Body Section

The body is the most important part of a cover letter or an email message applying for employment.

The body of a cover letter includes the paragraphs where you explain why you are interested in and qualified for the posted job :

• Why you are writing.
• How you are qualified for the job.
• Appreciation for being considered for the position.

Be specific by referencing the employer's job requirements as listed in the job posting in this part of your cover letter.

Include Keywords in Your Letter

Including keywords related to the jobs for which you are applying in your cover letters can help you get selected for a job interview. These are specific words hiring managers look for when considering applications.

As hiring processes have become automated, online applicant tracking systems are programmed to search for keywords.

Choose an Appropriate Closing

Make sure to close your letter  in a professional manner. Casual closings as you would write to a friend or a family member are not appropriate in a letter to a potential employer. 

• Best regards
• Respectfully
• Thank you for your consideration

Add Your Signature to the Letter

What is included in a cover letter signature depends on whether you are sending or uploading a cover letter document or using an email message as your cover letter.

Hard copies of letters should be signed by hand. Scanning your signature to include on PDFs can be a nice touch, while emails should include a professional electronic signature that includes your contact information.

Review Cover Letter Examples

Here's an example of the final product, including information on why the applicant would be an excellent candidate with a summary of his qualifications for the job. 

Download the template for a cover letter here and also review more  cover letter samples  with free templates you can download to use as a starting point for your own letter.

John Bigham 111 Maple Street Anytown, MA 02222 555-555-5555

September 1, 2020

Shaun Lee Human Resources Goodspring 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee:

I am writing to state my interest in the position of Assistant to the Director of Goodspring. I believe that my work experience and education have equipped me with the skills necessary to be a successful candidate for this position. 

During my years with XYZ Wellness, I have been responsible for everything from accounting, bookkeeping, marketing and maintaining records to scheduling appointments and greeting clients and their families at the door. I have proudly overseen our growth from a startup business to a well-respected contributor to the community. 

I have also been in charge of organizing our very successful annual golf fundraiser and dinner. Last year, we raised $145,000 for our local homeless shelter. 

Your mission is an important one, and I would very much appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about how I can contribute to your team and help you continue to provide the services so vital to our community. Thank you for your consideration.

John Bigham  (signature hard copy letter)

John Bigham

When you're sending an email cover letter  (see below)  your contact information should be listed after your signature.

What to Include in an Email Cover Letter

The body of an email cover letter should contain the same information as a document cover letter, but two big differences are the subject line and your contact information.

Many employers ask that specific information is included in the subject line , and you must follow those instructions carefully. Contact information should be included with your electronic signature.

What Not to Include in a Cover Letter

There are some things that don't belong in a cover letter. Don't go overboard. Including too much information can hinder your chances of getting an interview.

Keep your letter concise and focused, and don't include extraneous details.

Classifieds

Job opportunities 3-27-2024, courier classifieds.

• March 27, 2024

ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR

Bidwell training center.

Instructs adult students of Allied Health Training Programs in subject areas specific to Medical Claims Processing (Understanding of Health Insurances), Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Pathology/Pharmacology. Familiarity with Electronic Health Record Systems/ Medical Software Applications is a plus to include knowledge of Coding: HCPCS, ICD-10, CPT as related to claim form completion. Knowledge of MS Office applications and basic mathematical concepts as applied to core content. AS in related field with at least three years’ experience in said field required; BS preferred. Prior experience teaching/training adults preferred. Must be proficient in preparing and presenting instruction in the subject areas: Health Insurances/ Medical Claims Processing, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, and Math.

Send Resume with cover letter and salary requirements to

[email protected]

NEUROLOGIST

University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks a Neurologist to work in Allegheny County, PA. Diagnose and treat patients with acute and chronic neurological conditions, including epilepsy, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular diseases, persistent headaches, seizure disorders, stroke and other neurological symptoms and disorders. Must have a Medical degree or equivalent; completion of a residency in Neurology; Board certification or eligibility for certification in Neurology. Must have a valid unrestricted PA medical license or eligibility. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 240000XX in the “Search Keyword/Job ID” field and click Go. EOE.

AVALON BOROUGH

Public works department part time seasonal employees.

Public Works Part Time Seasonal Employees, Borough of Avalon, Allegheny County – Applications are currently being accepted by the Borough Council for part time seasonal public works employees. These employees perform a variety of work associated with the maintenance, repair, and construction of DPW assets. The seasonal employees report to the Public Works Superintendent.

Workers operate a variety of equipment, which may include hand tools, power tools, light equipment, riding lawn mower, push lawn mower, trimmers, and pickup trucks. Must have a valid driver’s license. The full job description can be viewed at www.boroughofavalon.org.

Interested applicants should submit their application to [email protected] or Manager, Borough of Avalon, 640 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202. Please call the Borough Administration Office at 412-761-5820 with questions. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

Avalon Borough is an equal opportunity employer.

ENGINEERING INTERN

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking an Engineering Intern ($16 hour) to provide engineering and project management support to Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT)’s Engineers, Architects and other staff members as directed by Supervisor for capital projects related to maintenance, modification, repair and/ or reconstruction of PRT structures, bridges, tunnels, subways, roadways, busways, facilities, passenger stations and light rail transit system.

Essential Functions:

• Assist the Engineering Department in providing engineering support to resolve technical problems and methods regarding building codes, structural codes, permit procedures, and municipal construction requirements as apply to ongoing maintenance, facility modification, repair and/or reconstruction. Assists in obtaining permits, as needed.
• Performs field inspections including monitoring and coordination of contractors and consultants, and maintains accurate records pertaining to design and construction progress, schedules, costs, quality control, work activities, conditions and as-built documents.
• Participates in the review of construction drawings and specifications for and assists with the coordination of activities of outside engineers and contractors hired by PRT. Provides cost estimating for projected work activities.

Job requirements include:

• A college degree or be enrolled in a college degree program in Engineering. Current enrollment in a graduate degree program in engineering or a related field.
• Ability in the use of Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple work objectives and schedules.

Preferred attributes:

• Experience in the use of computers for the purposes of developing and reviewing technical documents.
• Experience in using Microsoft Office Suite software programs such as PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Experience in overseeing and inspecting construction work.

Interested candidates should forward a cover letter and resume to:

Glenn Huetter

Employment Department

345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527

[email protected]

TO PLACE AN AD:

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 136 E-mail: [email protected] Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

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Ms. James might start slowly. She could even wait for an appeals court to decide whether to pause the judgment, a decision that could come as soon as this week.

But if she wanted to take a more aggressive stance, Ms. James could freeze some of Mr. Trump’s bank accounts, which might send the Trump family business into a tailspin.

She could also seek to seize some of his New York properties, and public records show that Ms. James has formally posted the judgment in Westchester County, a preliminary step toward staking a claim to Mr. Trump’s private estate and golf club there.

In recent days, The New York Times has received many questions about Mr. Trump’s financial woes. Here are answers to several:

What was Trump accused of?

Ms. James took Mr. Trump, his company and his adult sons to trial last fall, accusing them of fraudulently inflating the value of golf clubs, office buildings and other properties to the tune of about $2 billion.

Mr. Trump exaggerated the property values, and in turn his own net worth, to obtain favorable terms from banks and insurers, according to Ms. James.

At the trial, which lasted months, Ms. James’s lawyers argued that Mr. Trump’s company had ignored appraisals and manipulated numbers to sometimes absurd degrees.

The judge overseeing the case — there was no jury — ruled in favor of Ms. James.

How was he punished?

The judge, Arthur F. Engoron, came down hard on Mr. Trump, imposing a judgment of $355 million plus interest, amounting to $454 million.

The judge also imposed penalties that could curb Mr. Trump’s influence over his family business, barring him from serving as a top executive at a New York company for three years.

Can he appeal?

Yes. Mr. Trump is appealing Justice Engoron’s punishments, and has asked a higher court, the Appellate Division in Manhattan, to pause the financial judgment. If the appeals court denies that, he might ask the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals in Albany.

Although he does not have to pay Ms. James’s office the $454 million while he appeals, he must either cut a check to the New York State court system for the full amount, or, more likely, obtain a bond.

What is an appeal bond?

An appeal bond is a document in which a company guarantees the $454 million judgment, plus interest, should Mr. Trump lose his appeal and fail to pay.

Mr. Trump would need to pledge significant collateral to a bond company — about $557 million, his lawyers said — including as much cash as possible, as well as stocks and bonds he could sell quickly.

He would also owe the bond company a fee that could amount to nearly $20 million.

Does he have enough cash to obtain one?

Short answer: No.

A recent New York Times analysis found that Mr. Trump had more than $350 million in cash as well as stocks and bonds, far short of what he would need in collateral for the bond.

In a court filing March 18, Mr. Trump’s lawyers said they had contacted more than 30 bond companies, and none had agreed to a deal.

But I thought he was a billionaire?

While Mr. Trump has long bragged about his wealth, his true financial position remains something of a mystery. Most of his fortune is tied up in real estate holdings, which bond companies don’t typically accept as collateral.

He also has less liquid collateral available today than he did even a few weeks ago. Mr. Trump this month had to post a $91.6 million bond in the defamation case he lost to E. Jean Carroll. For that, he most likely had to pledge more than $100 million in collateral to Chubb, the insurance company that provided guarantee. That money cannot be used as collateral for a second bond.

What is the deadline for the appeal bond?

There is no formal deadline. She offered the 30-day grace period and now may wait for the appeals court to weigh in on whether to pause the judgment.

How could Ms. James collect?

It could get ugly for Mr. Trump.

Ms. James could start by merely issuing a list of properties and accounts she is eyeing, or sending subpoenas to locate assets. Or she could move swiftly to freeze and ultimately seize his assets.

If she opted for the more aggressive path, Ms. James could send so-called restraining notices to Mr. Trump’s banks and brokerage firms, effectively freezing his accounts.

It’s a powerful weapon, legal experts said. She can send the notices on her own, without needing a judge to bless them.

To then collect, Ms. James can ask a judge to grant her an order directing the banks to hand over his assets to the state.

“The low-hanging fruit for the state to enforce the judgment in this case is to issue restraining notices to banks,” said Daniel W. Levy, a former federal prosecutor who is now a lawyer at McKool Smith in New York, where he has represented creditors in judgment proceedings.

What about seizing his properties?

Easier said than done.

Mr. Trump does not directly own his properties — in general, they are owned by corporate entities that he controls — and Ms. James would have to fight in court to pierce those layers. Even if Ms. James could take control and force a sale, Mr. Trump’s lenders would be first in line to collect.

The most sensible option, legal experts said, would be for Ms. James to pursue New York properties — specifically the buildings directly owned by a corporate entity that was a defendant in Ms. James’s case. That would include Mr. Trump’s Seven Springs estate in Westchester.

If she took control of the property, she could instruct a local sheriff to auction it.

She might also try to seize some of Mr. Trump’s marquee Florida properties, including his Doral golf resort, which was a defendant.

And she has threatened to take aim at his office tower on Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. But Mr. Trump does not actually own it: Instead, he effectively controls the property and pays rent to the owner.

Trump Tower also poses a challenge, because it was not a defendant, nor is it directly owned by one.

The legal experts cautioned that actually seizing any property through the courts could take significant time without a guarantee of a huge payoff.

But should Mr. Trump win delays, they could cost him. Under New York law, he must continue to pay 9 percent interest on the judgment.

Can she throw him in jail?

Although Ms. James can’t jail Mr. Trump — it is a civil case, not a criminal one — Justice Engoron could issue an arrest warrant if Mr. Trump repeatedly flouts court orders. That, however, is unlikely to happen.

What other options does Trump have?

Mr. Trump could quickly sell a property or another asset, or seek a supporter’s help. He might also try to obtain a loan from a bank, hedge fund or private equity firm that he could then post as collateral. The attorney general has suggested that Mr. Trump could pledge his properties to the court.

And his net worth could soon leap when shares of his social media company start trading on the stock market as soon as Monday. His stake is valued at roughly $3 billion. Although he is prohibited from selling shares for six months, Mr. Trump could find ways around that restriction that enable him to raise cash for the bond.

If all else fails, he could have the corporate entities implicated in the case file for bankruptcy, which would automatically halt judgments against them. Ms. James’s penalty against Mr. Trump himself would continue to be in force, and she would most likely seek to hold him accountable for his company’s debts.

Could Trump use campaign money to pay?

Probably not.

A super PAC supporting Mr. Trump’s candidacy can raise unlimited amounts, but it is banned from coordinating with him and cannot pay the judgment.

And although the former president has used a political action committee under his control to pay for lawyers and witnesses in his legal cases, that group lacks the money to address the $454 million penalty.

What else is happening Monday?

Mr. Trump has a crucial hearing in his Manhattan criminal case, which could be the first prosecution of a former American president.

The district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, has accused Mr. Trump of covering up a sex scandal involving a porn star to bolster his 2016 presidential campaign.

Jury selection was originally scheduled to start on March 25, but the trial was delayed late last week after the disclosure of more than 100,000 pages of records that had been in the possession of the federal prosecutors

Justice Juan M. Merchan set the hearing to determine whether the new tentative trial date of April 15 should hold, and to rule on Mr. Trump’s motion for an outright dismissal.

The Manhattan case is among four prosecutions Mr. Trump faces.

Ben Protess is an investigative reporter at The Times, writing about public corruption. He has been covering the various criminal investigations into former President Trump and his allies. More about Ben Protess

How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of  questions from job seekers  about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more  interview invitations  than 50 generic ones will.

• ‘I Had a Great Job Interview — Why Haven’t I Heard Back?’
• How to Answer ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ in a Job Interview

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Tenant Background Checks and Your Rights

Are you looking for a new place to live or about to renew your lease? If so, you may want to know that a landlord, property manager, or other housing provider may ask a tenant background check company — also called a tenant screening company — to put together a report about you and other members of your household. That’s called a tenant background check, resident screening report, or tenant screening report. Landlords often use these reports to decide whether to rent to you. This article includes information about tenant background checks and your rights related to them.

You can get help if you believe that a background check company or landlord has violated your rights. For example, you can contact a  local fair housing organization , state attorney general,  local legal aid or legal services office , or  other local lawyer .

You can complain to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD)  Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) and submit a report to the  Department of Justice (DOJ) if you think a landlord or tenant background check company illegally discriminated against you. You can also complain to the  Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) , if you think a background check company included errors in your background check or if a landlord did not provide required information about the tenant background check company.

You can find information in this article about

What To Know Before You Apply

If the landlord makes a negative decision, other steps to take, your rights to be free from discrimination.

• Where To Get Help

Additional Information

When filling out an application with a tenant background check requirement, take the following steps to decrease the likelihood of errors and protect your rights:

• Give the landlord your full name — first, middle (if you have one), and last — and date of birth.  This helps the background check company   get information about the right person.   The landlord will probably also ask for your Social Security number, prior addresses, and possibly other information as well.
• Know whether you’ll pay a fee. The landlords for most HUD-subsidized housing (including public housing and project-based Section 8, Section 202, and Section 811 housing) are not allowed to charge you a fee for an application or background check. But most other landlords, including those accepting Section 8 housing choice vouchers, can — and usually do — charge you a fee.

Before you pay an application or background check fee, ask what information the landlord uses to decide whether to rent to you.  The information that landlords might review as part of a tenant background check includes

• your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and current and past addresses
• your work and income history
• the status of your credit cards and other accounts, including payment history
• housing court records, for example, records related to eviction actions
• criminal records, including arrest, charge, and conviction records
• missed rent or other rent-related payments
• whether you’ve filed for bankruptcy or have been sued (whether or not the lawsuit is related to housing)

The tenant background check company might develop and share with the landlord a recommendation or score that they claim will predict what kind of tenant you will be (such as whether you will pay your rent or damage the property).

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, tenant background check companies cannot report most negative information — for example, most civil lawsuits and judgments, including housing court cases, and arrest records — after seven years. Bankruptcies can be reported for 10 years. However, there is no time limit for criminal convictions. Other laws, including the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and state or local laws, may have more restrictions on what tenant background check companies can report. FHA restrictions are described in more detail later.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, tenant background check companies are required to take reasonable steps to ensure the information in your report is accurate. Common errors may include

• information that belongs to someone else
• incomplete information, such as how civil or criminal cases or eviction actions were resolved
• duplicate information, such as the same criminal record appearing more than once, suggesting they are separate cases
• outdated information, such as information that is legally too old to be included in a background check
• criminal record or eviction information that was sealed or expunged

A landlord might use a background check, a score, or a recommendation from the background check company to make a negative decision, including

• reject your application
• charge you more for rent
• require you to have a co-signer
• demand you pay a larger security deposit

But you have rights if a landlord makes a negative decision about your application because of something a tenant background check company included in a report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to

• give you the name, address, and phone number of the tenant background check company
• tell you about your rights to dispute inaccurate information and to get a free copy of the report from the background check company if you ask for it within 60 days of the landlord’s notice to you

If they give you the notice orally, ask them if they would be willing to get you a written copy for your records.

Local law may give you more rights related to this type of notice. For example, your city may require that the landlord give you the notice in writing and may require that the landlord include in the notice the specific reason why you were rejected and a summary of the information from the tenant background check company that the landlord relied on.

• Get a copy of the tenant background check. You can ask the landlord if they would be willing to share the tenant background check report with you. But even if the landlord refuses, the background check company must give you a free copy of the report if you request it within 60 days of the adverse action notice. You may not see any score in the report you get from the tenant background check company, but the report must include the information any score or recommendation is based on.
• Dispute any errors on your report.  To fix any errors, contact the background check company and tell them about the errors. Provide copies of any supporting documentation you have with your request. For example, if your report has an error in your criminal history or records from when you were evicted or sued over a housing or other issue, gather any paperwork showing how the action was resolved and provide it as part of your dispute. Let the landlord know about your dispute. For more information, check out  Disputing Errors on Your Tenant Background Check Report .
• Tenant background check   companies must investigate your dispute within 30 days.  The background check company must also tell you the results of the investigation in writing.   If the company makes a correction to your report, give the landlord an updated report or ask the background check company to send it to the landlord.

Errors by tenant background check companies can hurt your chances to secure housing. Take the following steps before applying for housing:

• Check your credit report . Get your free credit report and  fix any errors . To get your annual free credit report from the three major credit bureaus, visit  AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. You don’t have to buy anything or pay to fix errors. And   if you have negative but correct information on your credit report, start working to  fix your credit with steps you can take yourself — without paying anyone.
• If the court records look wrong or incomplete, you may be able to contact the court and get the court to correct any issues.
• You may be able to get your previous landlord to submit updated or correct information to the court along with a request to the court to update or correct its records. Making this request to the landlord in writing may increase the chances of getting cooperation from your landlord.
• You may want legal assistance to help you clean up your record. Some courts have local self-help centers that can help you. If your local court does not have a self-help center, speak with a local lawyer to discuss your options for correcting or updating information about unpaid rent, rent disputes, or evictions.  Law Help is a program of  Pro Bono Net , a national nonprofit to help people without lawyers understand their rights and connect to help in their local community.  Check their directory of free or lower cost legal help in your state.
• Seal your records if possible . Check to see if your city or state lets people with criminal or housing court records seal or expunge them (expunging is a way to remove court case information from law enforcement or public records).

In some instances, tenant background checks can lead to illegal discrimination, even if there is no factual error in the report. The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for tenant background check companies and landlords to discriminate against you because of race, national origin, color, sex (which includes gender identity and sexual orientation), religion, disability, or familial status (which includes persons who have children under 18, who are in the process of obtaining legal custody of children under 18, or who are pregnant). 

A landlord cannot reject your application or treat you differently than other applicants or tenants because of any of these characteristics. For example, if you are Black and get rejected based on your criminal record, but a white applicant with a similar criminal record is accepted, the landlord may be violating your rights under the Fair Housing Act because of race. As another example, if at first the landlord says they do not perform credit checks, but after the landlord learns you are gay, you are told a credit check is required, the landlord may be violating your rights under the Fair Housing Act because of sex.

• A tenant background check company’s or landlord’s action can also be illegal if it uses or encourages the use of irrelevant or unnecessary information to deny you housing, and this negatively affects some groups more than others. This may be discrimination even if the tenant background check company or landlord does not intend to discriminate. You can learn more about how the Fair Housing Act applies to the use of criminal history  here .
• The FHA also requires that landlords make  reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation is a change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service if that accommodation may be necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing. A landlord’s tenant background check policy that fails to consider a person’s disability or provide a reasonable accommodation may, in some instances, violate the FHA or other civil rights laws.

In addition to the FHA, other federal laws help ensure equal access to housing, services, and activities. They include

• The  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) , which prohibits disability-based discrimination in, among other things, access to and use of government activities, programs, and services and access to and use of places of public accommodation (public places and businesses open to the public, such as rental offices, restaurants, hotels, museums, libraries, and parks),
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act , which prohibits disability-based discrimination by a federal agency or any organization that gets federal financial assistance,
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act , which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by any organization that gets financial assistance from any federal agency, and
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) , which prohibits discrimination against individuals applying for or living in federally subsidized housing because they are or have been victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Where To Get Help

To correct a tenant background report

You can get additional help if a background check company does not follow the law by responding to your dispute or correcting false information. For example, you can

• Get  legal help .  Contact your state attorney general,  local legal aid or legal services office , or  other local lawyer . If you are a  servicemember , you may wish to also contact your local  Legal Assistance Office .
• Submit a complaint to the CFPB . Your complaint will be shared with the FTC.   The FTC and CFPB enforce the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

If you suspect discrimination

It can be difficult to know for sure if illegal discrimination is happening. But if you think a landlord or a tenant background check company has discriminated, you may consider taking the following steps:

• Keep records of what happened. As soon as possible, write down in detail what happened and when, and who you spoke to.  Back up your notes on your email or other online cloud storage service.
• Get copies of notices. If you’re rejected or get notice of a negative housing decision orally, ask if the landlord will give you the notice in writing, even by email or text.
• Ask for the landlord’s screening criteria or policy in writing. The criteria or policy may be discriminatory. You can consider filing a complaint with HUD and submitting a report to DOJ if you decided not to apply for housing because of the criteria or policy.
• Don’t wait too long before filing a complaint with HUD . A complaint with HUD under the Fair Housing Act must be filed within one year of the discrimination. Some states and localities require filing earlier than one year.
• If you file a timely complaint with HUD, it will investigate your complaint. If HUD determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that discrimination occurred, its lawyers will bring the case on your behalf, for free, before an administrative law judge. Or HUD may refer your case to DOJ, which may bring lawsuits, again for free, on your behalf.
• You do not need a lawyer to file a discrimination complaint with HUD. However, some  local legal aid and legal services offices , civil rights organizations, and  fair housing organizations have lawyers who may be able to advise or represent you.
• Report housing discrimination to DOJ . Under the Fair Housing Act, DOJ may bring a lawsuit where there is a pattern or practice of discrimination. While DOJ determines whether it can file a lawsuit, it may encourage you to file a complaint with HUD.
• Look into additional protections.  Local legal aid and legal services lawyers, lawyers from   civil rights or fair housing organizations,  other local lawyers , and the state attorney general’s office may also be aware of local protections  that your city or state may offer. If you are applying for federally subsidized housing or a Section 8 voucher, you may have additional protections (for example, under the  Violence Against Women Act ). To find out, contact a  legal aid or legal services lawyer or  HUD . 
• Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need To Know
• Understanding Your Credit
• Disputing Errors on Your Tenant Background Check Report
• Disputing Errors on Your Credit Report
• Rental Listing Scams
• Submit a report to the FTC in English at  ReportFraud.ftc.gov or in Spanish at ReporteFraude.ftc.gov . To submit a report in other languages, call (877) 382-4357 and press 3 to speak to an interpreter in your language. Lines open from 9-5 ET.
• What is a tenant screening report?
• What should I do if my rental application is denied due to a tenant screening report?
• How long can eviction actions and lawsuits stay on my tenant screening record?
• Submit a complaint online to the CFPB. Or call us at (855) 411-2372 | TTY/TDD: (855) 729-2372 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) Help by phone is available in more than 180 languages.
• How to file a discrimination complaint with HUD  (including  in another language and if you have disability-related needs)
• Submit a complaint online to HUD . Or call us at 1-800-669-9777, 1-800-877-8339, 1-800-877-8339 (TTY) or contact  your local HUD office
• How the Fair Housing Act applies to the use of criminal history
• Reasonable Accommodations under the Fair Housing Act
• Assessing a Person's Request to have an Animal as a Reasonable Accomodation    
• Fair Housing Act Protections for Persons with Limited English Proficiency
• You can also contact and submit a complaint with your local  Fair Housing Agency
• HUD-approved housing counselors can also help you make housing decisions. Find a counselor  here or by calling 1-800-569-4287 where assistance is available in over 250 languages, or 202-708-1455 (TTY).
• Protections for Servicemembers
• Legal Services for Veterans Programs
• Submit a report online to DOJ . Or call us at 1-855-856-1247 or 202-514-0716 (TTY).

Jointly developed by staff of the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Justice.