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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Cover Letters Part 3

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What should I include in my heading? The heading is at the top of your cover letter and includes the date, your name, mailing address, and phone number(s). If you have an email account, provide that here. Note that your email address should be professional. In other words, an email address that reads [email protected] is not acceptable. The heading should contain the mailing address of the employer. Here is a sample heading: June 9, 2009 Karl M. Jones 900 N. 7th St. Apt. 6 Lafayette, IN 47904 765-123-4567 [email protected] Alex Carson Manger, A & D Industries 1437 State Route 26 Lafayette, IN 47904 765-891-1011 Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.

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A well written resume provides employers with a favorable first impression and the information they need about you to determine whether or not you’re a match for their position and organization.  With a plan developed, you can prepare to communicate your brand through your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.  Developing these pieces allows you to tailor your communications to the types of industries, organizations, and roles you are targeting.

Resume Tips to follow

• Keep your resume to one page unless you have 10+ years of experience
• Limit contact information under your name to Purdue email, phone number and LinkedIn URL.  Home address and personal email are not necessary
• Spell out your degrees, do not abbreviate
• List professional experiences in reverse chronological order
• Quantify your accomplishments if possible and include the outcome, purpose or method
• Remove non-essential words (e.g., a, an, the, which, that), to conserve space
• Begin bullets with dynamic, action verbs; avoid starting with “assisted with,” or “responsible for” as these phrases are a weak representation of your accomplishments

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Featured articles, what are transferable skills 10 examples for your resume.

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Transferable skills, also known as portable skills, are those versatile abilities that you can bring to any role or industry—which is particularly helpful when changing careers . But you don’t need to be an expert to have them; these valuable skills …

Fueling Your Career Journey: Embracing the Latest in Resume Excellence

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In the dynamic landscape of job seeking, your resume serves as your gateway to unlocking career opportunities. Visualize it as your passport to your ideal job, stamped with the latest trends and innovations. For executives and senior professionals navigating today’s …

The Pros and Cons of a Video Resume

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A video resume is a high risk / high reward job search tactic.

It is a supplemental approach that is increasingly welcomed by major employers (many of whom use video questions as part …

Teamwork Skills for Your Resume

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Teamwork skills are the soft skills you use to work efficiently and effectively with others. Even if you’ve never had a professional coworker before, chances are you use teamwork skills in the classroom, while volunteering, and during your extracurricular activities …

20+ Business Analyst Skills for Your Resume in 2023

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Business analysts bridge the gap between business and information technology (IT), helping companies make better and more informed data-driven decisions. The most crucial business analyst skills include a mix of technical abilities and interpersonal skills — a successful analyst must …

Career Resources

Cover letter creation guide.

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A cover letter can be a valuable tool to provide additional context to your application beyond what you can provide …

Graduate Student Resume Template

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VMock Resume Review – Graduate Students

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Daniels School of Business Undergraduate Resume Template

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Are you ready to create or update your resume? Our undergraduate resume template is Applicant Tracking System friendly and recruiter …

Get Noticed: Submit Your Resume To a Handshake Resume Book

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Business Career Services maintains resume books for employers to download via Handshake. Uploading your resume to Handshake does not automatically …

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Cover Letters and Correspondence

Clear and mistake-free communication with employers is very important. Over the last ten years employers have ranked communication is the top skill they are looking for in prospective employees. Cover letters and correspondence is a chance for you to show that you have effective communication skills. Below are several links, many from the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), with good examples of correspondence.

• CCO Job Search Manual
• Academic Cover Letters
• Acceptance Letter
• Applicant Request For a Reference
• Cover Letters 1: Quick Tips
• Cover Letters 2: Preparing to Write a Cover Letter
• Cover Letters 3: Writing Your Cover Letter
• FAQs About Thank you Letters
• Follow-up After No Response to Our Interview
• Inquiry About Cover Letter and Resume​
• Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Cover Letter Example (Colorado State University)
• Letters Concerning Employment
• Rejection to Job Offer
• Request for Further Negotiation
• Sample Cover Letters
• Tailoring Employment Document For a specific Audience
• Thank You Follow Up Letters
• Thank You Letter Guide
• Tutoring Cover Letters

Career Resources

Professional Organizations assist you in your career exploration as you decide coursework, student organizations, internships and research projects.

While there are limitless careers in the field of natural resources, view our career profiles which highlights some of the career opportunities available to you.

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• ​ Discovery Education Ag Explorer​ ,  e​xplore various careers related to Animal Systems, Environmental Service Systems, Natural Resources Systems, or Plant Systems. 

Related Skills opens opportunities as employers are seeking candidates with the attributes listed.

• FNR Job Board

With over 50 employers at the FNR Career Fair, student opportunities abound with internships, summer positions and graduation career positions. FNR Career Fair

Personal Assessment can help as you narrow down your skills and interests. Take a look at these resources that help you find the career that fits you.

If you are finding that none of the career options or job postings you have reviewed are interesting maybe it is time for some personal assessment of your skills and interests. The Center for Career Opportunities​ ​ can assist with further career counseling. Below are a few sites that may be helpful as you assess where your interests and skills align with career options.

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• How to Write an Interview-Winning Cover Letter

Tips on Writing a Stellar Cover Letter

Whether you’re just beginning your first job search or deep in the trenches of your career, one of the most daunting parts of an application process can be crafting a cover letter. According to a 2020 survey by Resume Lab , 83% of human resources professionals said a cover letter is an important part of a hiring decision. In a separate question, 83% of respondents claimed that a great cover letter can secure you an interview even if your resume isn’t good enough. This leaves many job applicants wondering how to write a good cover letter.

Why Include a Cover Letter?

Cover letters serve as an introduction to employers in a way that resumes are not, according to Guilene Williams, Director of Career Services at Purdue Global.

“A cover letter is important because it gives the employer additional information about why you are applying for that specific position,” Williams said. “It enables you to further discuss your skills and qualifications and gives you the opportunity to address items that do not fit within the confines of your resume.”

The cover letter serves as a strong writing sample that also provides additional information and context a resume couldn’t supply, such as:

• If you’re willing to relocate or don’t currently live in the same city as the job you’re applying to.
• If you need to explain employment gaps in a resume due to going back to school, military service, or relocating, as a few examples.
• How your skills transfer over from one industry to another if you’re making a career change.

What makes a good cover letter? This next section explains.

How to Write a Good Cover Letter

“The most important thing in writing a successful cover letter is to make sure you address the specific skills and experience that the employer puts in the job description,” said Jennifer Katz, director of career services at Purdue Global. “Don’t use the same blanket cover letter for every position you apply for. Take the time to customize your cover letter so it demonstrates that you have the skills and experience they want for that specific position.”

There are some formatting and technical requirements for cover letters, such as using the same headings and fonts as your resume and keeping it short, but Katz said the most important thing is to make sure it’s specific to the job you are applying to. In fact, most examples of good cover letters aren’t worthwhile, because what works for one person would ring insincere for another applicant.

Williams said another key part of a cover letter is addressing it to a human. It can be tempting to write “To Whom It May Concern,” but Williams said that can be a detriment to your application.

“If you do not have the hiring manager’s name, do some online research or call to ask for their name,” Williams said. “As a last resort, if you do not know who the person is, then you can resort to writing, ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ or ‘Dear Human Resources Manager.’”

Common Cover Letter Mistakes

Just like a resume, a cover letter should be error-free, which means proofread, proofread, proofread. Watch out for mistakes including not changing the name of the company or the person to whom it is addressed from the last letter you wrote.

“Those kinds of things are very stark,” Katz said, “and it just shows the employer that the candidate hasn't taken the time to customize it and maybe isn't particularly interested in this exact position.”

Should You Include Salary Requirements in Your Cover Letter?

Both Katz and Williams say no. It’s best to wait for the employer to bring up salary later in the process.

“Adding a salary to your cover letter is a fast way to eliminate yourself from the selection process,” Williams said.

Putting a salary in a cover letter can be off-putting to some employers and also isn’t a good format for negotiations. A conversation with a hiring manager allows both the employer and applicant to be flexible with the numbers they put forward. 

How to Send a Cover Letter

Now that you’ve crafted a perfectly tailored cover letter, how should you get it to the hiring manager? First, follow instructions. If an employer has requested a specific file format, be sure to send it that way.

If you’re applying through an online portal, Katz suggests following the employer’s directions regarding file format, usually either a Microsoft Word document or PDF, to ensure the document can be easily read by an applicant tracking system. If you’re sending it directly to a hiring manager, just put your cover letter in the body of the email and attach your resume and any other application materials.

Use Resources at Your Disposal for the Best Cover Letter

Schools like Purdue Global have career services departments designed to help students craft and proofread their cover letters. If you’re unsure whether you’ve caught all the errors or showcased your skills as best you can, consider reaching out to career services .

“Everybody at Purdue Global has a Career Specialist for their program of study. This is our job,” Katz said. “We are happy to review a student’s cover letter to make sure they're putting their very best foot forward when they're applying for these positions.”

Purdue Global trains students for the careers they want and supports them through education.* If you’re interested in learning whether education at Purdue Global is a good fit for you, request more information today.

About the Author

Purdue Global

Earn a degree you're proud of and employers respect at Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. Accredited and online, Purdue Global gives you the flexibility and support you need to come back and move your career forward. Choose from 175+ programs, all backed by the power of Purdue.

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Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

* Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

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Indiana University Indianapolis

Office of career development.

Resume and Cover Letters

In your first year of college, you’ll begin crafting a resume, refining and updating it as you actively participate in various experiences and acquire new skills. This process of refining not only reflects your academic journey but also underscores the importance of maintaining a professional approach throughout your college career, especially when it comes to the development and presentation of your resume.

Your resume and cover letter work together as essential documents, strategically showcasing your identity and accomplishments. This synergy becomes even more critical in a college setting, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high level of professionalism, particularly when crafting and presenting resumes. These documents serve as powerful tools to effectively communicate your qualifications and experiences to potential employers.

Your resume is your personal marketing tool, advertising what you can do for a prospective employer. It summarizes the unique skills and experiences that set you apart from your competitors. The goal of a resume is to get the reader interested in you as a candidate. Remember to customize your resume for each job application, emphasizing the most relevant qualifications and experiences for the specific position.

Your cover letter showcases not only your personality, purpose, knowledge, and writing capabilities but also your professionalism. Serving as a complement to your resume, it provides a valuable opportunity to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific needs of a prospective employer.

A few things to remember:

• A resume is a piece of a person on paper. One person could be proud of their resume because it best represents them while another person may not care, both ways are perfectly fine. It is our job to make sure each person feels represented by their resumes.
• There is no perfect resume. Typically, we use chronological resumes, however there are multiple types: chronological, functional, combination, or targeted resume. Each resume is a little different in size, color, formatting, etc. based on the person that creates or edits it. Just ensure the major components are there: Name, contact information, education, and experiences.
• Nearly any experience is a professional experience, we just have to find the words to explain them.

The following are tips for constructing a powerful and professional resume. Use this sheet and the example on the back as a guide while collaborating with your career coach to create a resume that is perfect for you and your job.

PERSONAL BRAND

The top of your document should list your contact information, including your name, address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn domain link.

The formatting you use for this section creates a look you will use throughout your application materials (cover letter, references, etc.). Consider your use of font, font size, color, and spacing to create a professional look. Make sure your name is the most visually prominent piece of the whole document.

In this section, list all relevant education in reverse-chronological order. For each relevant college, university, or certificate program you have completed:

Write the name of the institution, the name of the degree/certificate/diploma, the location, and the date of completion.

Consider including the following if they are relevant to the position for which you are applying or if they have been requested by the employer: GPA (if ≥ 3.5), awards or recognitions, scholarships, student organizations, leadership positions, relevant coursework.

In this section, list all relevant experience in reverse-chronological order. For each a job position, internship, volunteer position, military service, or leadership experience:

Write the name of the organization, the position title, dates of employment/service, and location.

Construct 3-5 concise bullet points which describe the most valuable and relevant skills you gained and demonstrated in this position.

Start each bullet with a strong action verb.

Highlight skills, not responsibilities.

Be quantifiable whenever possible (e.g. generated 15% sales increase).

Use the employers own language to show that you fit what they are looking for.

REVIEWING YOUR RESUME

Employers prefer resumes to be ONE FULL PAGE or never more than TWO FULL PAGES. Arrange the text size and formatting so your text fills the page(s).

Carefully proof-read your document and have a friend or career coach review it for grammar and formatting.

Do not use jargon or informal vocabulary.

Your resume should change depending on what position you are applying for. Be sure your resume is tailored to the relevant position.

Are you fluent, proficient, or conversational in a second language? If so, ask your career coach how you can best highlight this skill in your resume.

Personal statements (a.k.a. objectives or summary statements) are generally obsolete. Include one only if you have a clear career goal that is very relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Many resume templates include a “skills” section. Only include this section if you are otherwise unable to fill one full page or if you have particularly relevant skills that you have not displayed elsewhere.

Project Coordinator

Assess patients for participation in, and coordinate the Pulmonary Rehab program

Monitor and supervise physical conditioning keeping physician informed of patient progress

Provide respiratory-related skills training and coordinate the skill training provided by Pharmacy, Dietetics, and Chaplaincy departments.

Information Specialist

Developed and implemented cross-training for administrative duties to mitigate risk and ensure success

Yielded membership inquiries, comments, and concerns in a high volume, fast-paced call center

Processed data including new membership applications, changes to member information, and dues payments

Advise the new co-presidents on how to structure and organize events, lead an executive board, and discuss ideas on how to strengthen the chapter

Lead and recruit peers by offering challenges and support to event volunteers as they complete tasks

Created new member initiative increasing member success 50% from previous year

Facilitated events held by the School of Liberal Arts. Represented the school’s values by encouraging and teaching new and current IUPUI students the benefits of a liberal arts education

Medical Response Team

Provide first aid in medical emergencies and non-emergencies in and round Indianapolis

Initiated first responder program increasing patient numbers 35% as compared to previous year

Increase organization’s recognition with outreach and communication

Translate the organization’s services for the Spanish community

The following are tips for writing a powerful and professional cover letter. Use this sheet and the example letter on the back as a guide while collaborating with your career coach on how to create a cover letter that is perfect for the position you are pursuing.

As with a resume, your cover letter will be headed by your personal brand which contains your basic contact information, including your name, address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn URL. Mirror or copy the personal brand from your resume to create a clean and unified professional look.

Directly under your header include the date.

Address your letter to the person who will be reviewing your application. If this information is not accessible, consider calling the company to find it. If possible, include their name, job title, organization/company name, and company address.

PARAGRAPH 1: INTRODUCTION

The focus of this paragraph is introducing yourself and demonstrating your knowledge of the company/organization.

Briefly introduce yourself.

Show that you have done your research. Connect with their company goals, mission, or values. Tell them why you are excited about or impressed by their organization or this position.

If you have a connection with the organization, do not be afraid to name-drop.

PARAGRAPH 2: YOUR SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

The focus of this paragraph is the skills that you bring to the position.

Highlight 2-3 skills that you would bring to their team.

Use their language and show that you know what they value. Be sharp and to the point.

Do the work of connecting your skills to their team and their organization. Show them that you fit.

PARAGRAPH 3: CLOSING

Tell them what you would like to happen next (e.g. an interview or opportunity to talk about the position further).

Provide information about how you can best be reached.

Thank them for their time and consideration. Close with a salutation and signature.

REVIEWING YOUR COVER LETTER

Even if the application does not require a cover letter, consider submitting one anyway (unless it specifically says not to). This extra effort shows the employer your sincere interest and could put you a step ahead of your competitors.

Check your grammar and make sure that you’ve tailored your letter to the appropriate position.

Dear Mr. Hiring:

I first heard about Indianapolis Children’s Home as I was preparing for the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis Annual Career Fair. As I began to research your program, I was immediately interested in your goal of providing service to children in great need here in Indiana. In conversation with Mr. George Recruiter at the Career Fair, I realized even more clearly how you provide practical services while focusing on fostering positive relationships with your youth and their families. This spring I will be graduating from IUPUI with a Bachelor of Science in Education and I am interested in working on your team as an Activities Coordinator after graduation. Throughout college I have been involved in Indiana Urban Outreach and improved the lives of over 950 members of our community here in Indianapolis. This opportunity has granted me experiences building relationships with people from a variety of demographics. Because of this experience coupled with my education, I am confident that I have the ability to identify the needs of and foster positive relationships with your children and their families. In addition, I have two years of experience as a lead teacher for an after-school program at a local grade school, which has offered me the ability to plan and lead educational activities and has effectively prepared me to lead in the role of an Activities Coordinator. I look forward to meeting with you to further discuss what I can bring to your team as an Activities Coordinator for the Indianapolis Children’s Home. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, SIGNATURE Your Name

Resume Reviews

Need more help with your resume or cover letter?

The Office of Career Development is conducting weekly resume reviews every Wednesday from 2 pm to 4 pm in Cavanaugh Hall, Room 243.

Can’t make it in person? No problem! To have your r esume reviewed via email , students can send their resume to libacdo@iupui.edu. Our team will review it and provide feedback within 3-5 business days. Please ensure to monitor your IU email address, as that is where our staff will send the reviewed document(s).

Ask questions or schedule an appointment by visiting our office in Cavanaugh Hall, Room 243, calling 317- 278-1224, or use our online Student Appointment Scheduler (SAS) .

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• Cover Letters
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• Start With Research
• Cover Letter Breakdown

START WITH RESEARCH

You already have a resume, so now it’s time to learn more about the company and their needs in order to write your COVER LETTER .

RESEARCH THE COMPANY

• Explore a company’s mission statement and goals by checking out the company website.
• Make use of LinkedIn company pages to gain information on what is going on in that company and their latest achievements.
• Visit the  conduct company research  tab for more info on how to make the most of company research.

ANALYZE THE JOB DESCRIPTION

• Read the job description thoroughly and highlight the required qualifications and job responsibilities.
• Contemplate how your experiences, skills and coursework translate over to what the company needs.
• Avoid focusing on yourself. The company doesn’t want to know what you’ll gain from working for them. They want to know what you can do for them.

Department of English College of Liberal Arts

The Portfolio Common Assignment

Instructor Guide to the Portfolio

After a year and a half of instructor-driven common assignment piloting (i.e., research-based essays, professional emails, rhetorical analyses, and portfolios), ICaP has determined that the portfolio will be our common assignment across all sections of English 106/108. The reasoning for the common assignment is to create coherency and consistency in our courses so that students are guaranteed to meet Purdue’s Written Communication and Information Literacy outcomes .

The portfolio was selected as our common assignment for the following reasons:

• It measures all six ICaP outcomes , which correspond to Purdue’s Core Curriculum outcomes;
• An assessment is in place to assess our new syllabus themes; 
• The final reflection pushes students towards metacognition, while also giving them the skills to write effectively; 
• Instructors may continue the diversity of teaching assignments with only minor standardization (i.e., the reflective essay and the portfolio);
• The portfolio allows students to guide instructors through their learning and writing practices; and
• Students leave English 106/108 with a product that can be showcased to future employers.

Components of the ICaP portfolio include a final reflective cover letter and drafts of each major writing project from the course. A description of each of these components is found below:

The final reflective cover letter asks students to reflect on their entire semester and explain to their instructor and ICaP Administrators how they have met the course outcomes through their work.

 First and final drafts of each major assignment are included in an order the student determines to showcase the evolution of their written communication skills in the course.

The goal with these portfolio components is for the student to have written proof that what they said they accomplished in the reflective essay can be seen within the portfolio. Here, the student takes control of their learning and demonstrates how well they think they have met ICaP outcomes.

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The graduate application allows applicants to select up to two graduate campuses and/or majors per application. If you are applying to more than one graduate program, we highly suggest you contact your recommendation providers and encourage them to write all-inclusive letters of recommendation that support your suitability for all graduate programs listed on your application.

Unless otherwise noted within the Graduate Program Requirements Web page , three (3) letters of recommendation are required for degree-seeking applicants. If you choose to apply to more than one campus and/or graduate major, the graduate program that requires the highest number of letters of recommendation will establish the minimum number of letters of recommendation to be submitted.

Your references should be persons who can assess your academic potential such as faculty members, academic staff, supervisors, industry leaders, employers, or advisors. The Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) strongly encourages you to provide reference email addresses that are affiliated with an academic institution, professional organization, or employer.

When you create an online application; once you click “Send to Recommender,” your recommendation providers will receive an email with instructions on submitting their recommendation online. Once the online recommendation is submitted the graduate program to which you applied will have access to view your online recommendation.

If you waive your right to examine your recommendation, you forfeit your right to request a copy of your recommendation letter. If you do not waive your right, you have the ability to request a copy of your recommendation letter. Some recommendation providers may be reluctant to submit a recommendation on your behalf if you do not waive your right to view the letter.

For recommenders wishing to complete a paper recommendation, please send the following recommendation form ( PDF ). Not all programs use the default form. Please consult the Graduate Program Requirements Web page for recommendation letter requirements. If your program indicates that it uses a separate recommendation form, a link to that form will be provided by the graduate program.

For additional information, please visit our Letter of Recommendation  FAQ .

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Purdue University and its Department of Student Success are looking for a candidate with an understanding of and appreciation for inclusion, including the ability to work with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and identities to become its next Assistant Director of Purdue Promise. As the Assistant Director, there will be a need to coach and support a caseload of scholars on academic notice and/or at risk of losing their scholarship(s). As the Assistant Director you will be required to supervise 3-4 Student Success Coaches, as well as onboard, train, and develop new Student Success Coaches. The Assistant Director will also need to support programmatic efforts such as orientation/transition programming, seminar courses, coaching meetings, and data tracking to ensure Purdue Promise scholars meet all federal, state, and Purdue financial aid requirements. The Assistant Director may also be called upon to support annual study abroad programs. The Assistant Director will also serve as next-in-command to the Director and Senior Assistant Director for the program. During any mutual absence of both the Director and Senior Assistant Director, the Assistant Director will assume responsibility for the supervision of the Purdue Promise and ScholarCorps teams, as well as leading most day-to-day efforts to support Purdue Promise scholars and other 21st Century Scholars.

A cover letter is required to be fully considered. 

About Purdue Promise: Purdue Promise is a four-year experience offering financial assistance and targeted support for low-income Indiana residents (21st Century Scholars). Many are first-generation and/or racially minoritized. The program is rooted in four guiding principles of student achievement - academic development, leadership development, social development, and life skills development. It is designed to minimize barriers to success and provide individualized care and coaching to retain and graduate scholars prepared for navigating life after college. The program has received campus-wide recognition and national attention for success in graduating Purdue Promise scholars on time (in four years) and debt-free.  

• Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, Student Affairs, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field 
• Two years of professional experience in student affairs, counseling, social work, human services, education, or a related field
• Teaching experience
• The ability to work with students, families, faculty, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds and identities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• The ability to connect with various constituents with unique needs (students, supervisees, colleagues, campus and community partners, and parents/guardians/families.) 
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to balance varied tasks and handle confidential information with discretion
• Master’s degree
• Three or more years of experience
• Experience with mentoring and professional staff functional supervision
• Study abroad experience
• Experience leading a study abroad experience
• Ability to work autonomously and creatively while having a high level of analytical skills to manage details and multiple deadlines
• Experience working with low-income, first-generation, and/or minoritized students
• Experience with advising personnel, academic coaching, advocacy, financial aid, personal and career development, and case management/outreach
• Knowledge of higher education student recruitment, orientation, access, transition, retention, success, and completion

Additional Information: 

• To learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary  CLICK HERE  
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position  
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately  
• All new hires will be expected to follow Protect Purdue guidelines. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3DH3z6f  
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

Management 2 Pay Band S065 Link to Purdue University's compensation guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/staffpb.php   Job Code #20003305 Link to Career Path Maker: https://cpm.mendixcloud.com/?_ga=2.56634154.1642976899.1566391267-1652204999.1559663560

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In States That Won’t Pay for Obesity Drugs, ‘They May as Well Have Never Been Created’

Public employees in West Virginia who took the drugs lost weight and were healthier, and some are despondent that the state is canceling a program to help pay for them.

By Oliver Whang

Reporting from Pineville, Charleston and Morgantown W.Va.

Joanna Bailey, a family physician and obesity specialist, doesn’t want to tell her patients that they can’t take Wegovy, but she has gotten used to it.

Around a quarter of the people she sees in her small clinic in Wyoming County would benefit from the weight-loss medications, which also include Ozempic, Zepbound and Mounjaro, she says. The drugs have helped some of them lose 15 to 20 percent of their weight. But most people in the area she serves don’t have insurance that covers the cost, and virtually no one can afford sticker prices of $1,000 to $1,400 a month.

“Even my richest patients can’t afford it,” Dr. Bailey said. She then mentioned something that many doctors in West Virginia — among the poorest states in the country, with the highest prevalence of obesity, at 41 percent — say: “We’ve separated between the haves and the have-nots.”

Such disparities sharpened in March when West Virginia’s Public Employees Insurance Agency, which pays most of the cost of prescription drugs for more than 75,000 teachers, municipal workers and other public employees and their families, canceled a pilot program to cover weight-loss drugs.

Some private insurers help pay for medications to treat obesity, but most Medicaid programs do so only to manage diabetes, and Medicare covers Wegovy and Zepbound only when they are prescribed for heart problems.

Over the past year, states have been trying, amid rising demand, to determine how far to extend coverage for public employees. Connecticut is on track to spend more than $35 million this year through a limited weight-loss coverage initiative. In January, North Carolina announced that it would stop paying for weight-loss medications after forking out $100 million for them in 2023 — 10 percent of its spending on prescription drugs.

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