COVER LETTERSCOVER LETTERS

AN INTRO TO THE RESUME

COVER LETTERS ARE COVER LETTERS ARE INCLUDED WITH RESUMES INCLUDED WITH RESUMES AND SENT TO PROSPECTIVE AND SENT TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS WITH THE EMPLOYERS WITH THE PURPOSE OFPURPOSE OF;;

APPLYING FOR A SPECIFIC JOB .

INFORMING THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER OF YOUR QUALIFICATIONS .

SELLING YOURSELF AS THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THAT PARTICULAR JOB

General Content of a General Content of a Cover LetterCover Letter

If you had previous communication with the person you are writing to, mention them

If you have a contact who knows the person you are writing to, mention your contacts name

Explain how you learned of and why you are interested in the employer and state the position you are seeking

Demonstrate your knowledge of the company in at least one sentence

Emphasize your qualifications Include a request for an interview Include a courteous closing

General NotesGeneral Notes

Make sure you use 12 font and never go over one page

The paper should be the same as the resume paper

4 Paragraphs Always use a block

format Make sure you sign

the letter Date the letter

WRITE A LETTER THAT WRITE A LETTER THAT WILL ACTUALLY GET WILL ACTUALLY GET READ! READ!

PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS READ PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS READ DOZENS OF LETTERS AND MEMOS DOZENS OF LETTERS AND MEMOS EACH WEEK. IN ORDER TO CATCH EACH WEEK. IN ORDER TO CATCH THE EMPLOYERS EYE...THE EMPLOYERS EYE...

KEEP YOUR LETTER CLEAR AND TO THE POINT .

SELL THEM ON THE IDEA OF GRANTING YOU A JOB INTERVIEW .

SEND AN INDIVIDUALIZED LETTER, ADDRESSED DIRECTLY TO HIM OR HER

FIND OUT WHO HIRESFIND OUT WHO HIRES

To boost your chances of being hired, address the letter to the person who will hire you or the one who will be your supervisor-Department Head, Manager, etc.

Never address your letter “To Whom It May Concern” This will target your letter to the waste basket

How to Find Out Who How to Find Out Who HiresHires

Call your target employer and tell them you are doing conducting a job search and want to address a letter of inquiry to the person who supervises your area. Tell them you are a student and thank them

Go to the Human Resources Office and ask if there is an organizational chart you could use for your career class or research you are doing. This should provide you with the Department Head

THE MAGIC FORMULA FOR THE MAGIC FORMULA FOR WRITING A SUCCESSFUL WRITING A SUCCESSFUL COVER LETTER...COVER LETTER...

SEIZE ATTENTION PERK INTEREST GET DOWN TO

BUSINESS SHOW YOUR

STUFF WRAP IT UP

SEIZE ATTENTION-Paragraph 1SEIZE ATTENTION-Paragraph 1

IN THE VERY FIRST PARAGRAPH OF YOUR LETTER, GRAB THE EMPLOYERS’ INTEREST BY TELLING THEM WHY YOU ARE WRITING AND GIVE INFO TO SHOW INTEREST

NAME THE POSITION FOR WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING AND HOW YOU HEARD OF IT

SEIZE ATTENTION SEIZE ATTENTION (EXAMPLE)(EXAMPLE)

. I am interested in applying for the sales representative position recently advertised in The New York Times. The skills I have developed from my work experience and academic background support my strong interest in a sales career.

PERK INTEREST-(2nd PERK INTEREST-(2nd & 3rd Paragraphs)& 3rd Paragraphs)

WHET THE EMPLOYERS’ INTEREST AND CREATE A DESIRE ON THE PART OF THE EMPLOYER TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU. TELL WHY YOU YOU ARE INTERESTED IN IN WORKING FOR THEM. POINT OUT YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN EACH PARAGRAPH.

PERK INTEREST PERK INTEREST (EXAMPLE)(EXAMPLE)

. As you will note from my enclosed resume, , I have majored in physics and have participated in significant research. This background, as well as several business courses, has prepared me to combine an interest in ……...

Perk Interest Perk Interest Continued Continued

The second and third paragraphs should refer to highlights on your resume. Point out items that you are particularly proud of and elaborate

Make sure you highlight particular points on your resume that relate to the job

Each of these paragraphs should have a unique focus

(Perk Interest-EXAMPLE (Perk Interest-EXAMPLE 2)2)

In addition, I have gained valuable administrative experience off the field as the President of the Soccer Club, founder and coordinator for multiple teams and leagues and assistant manager of the Eastern Shore Sharks. Through these experiences, I have readily accepted the duties of fund-raising, …….

SHOW YOUR STUFF SHOW YOUR STUFF IN THE 2ND & 3RD IN THE 2ND & 3RD PARAGRAPHSPARAGRAPHS

IF YOU JUST GRADUATED FROM SCHOOL, IF YOU JUST GOT OUT OF THE SERVICE, OR IF YOU HAVE SOME HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE-SAY SO

LIST QUALIFICATIONS THAT YOU POSSESS THAT WOULD BE NEEDED FOR THE JOB

SHOW YOUR STUFF SHOW YOUR STUFF (EXAMPLE - (EXAMPLE - EDUCATION)EDUCATION)

. For your review, I am enclosing a copy of my resume which shows: - Certification in the state of Maryland for grades K-8 - Student Field experiences in two counties within Maryland - Substitute teaching experience in Wicomico County, Maryland - Related coursework in Cooperative Learning and Classroom Management

Summary (Paragraph 4)Summary (Paragraph 4)

The closing paragraph should pave the way for an interview

Ask for an appointment Offer to call the employer in the

near future Show enthusiasm and wrap it up

Summary Example-Summary Example-Paragraph 4Paragraph 4

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss my skills and qualifications. The chance to work for such an outstanding company and continue in a career field I truly enjoy is desirable to say the least. I will contact you late next week to arrange and appointment. Thank you for your time and consideration.

How to Talk SalaryHow to Talk Salary

Best way to list salary requirements is in the cover letter in the final paragraph

You can state salary by saying: "My salary requirement is negotiable based upon the job responsibilities and the total compensation package." or if they insist on numbers give them a range like "My salary requirement is in the $30,000 - $36,000+ range."

Electronic Cover Letter Electronic Cover Letter Used via Email or Used via Email or Employer WebsitesEmployer Websites

Stick with plain text Lines have only 65 characters Be concise and clear Follow our standard business guidelines Entice readers through the subject line-be brief but

informative (ex. Experienced Counselor for Counseling Director Position)

Use keywords Provide sufficient contact information Do not attach files-some will get blocked Submit only what they ask for Proofread

A WELL WRITTEN A WELL WRITTEN COVER LETTER WILL...COVER LETTER WILL...

MAGNIFY YOUR CHANCES AT GETTING AN INTERVIEW!!!