Writing a Cover Letter / Job Application Letter

Cover Letter / Job Application LetterSimilar to sales letterEmphasize what you can do for

the company and why you feel you are qualified

For organization, follow

A I D Attention

nterest

esire ction

Attention (Paragraph 1)

1. Businesslike beginning.a. Summary of qualificationsb. Name of referentc. Question of reader benefitd. News item related to employere. Other relevant reader-oriented

statement

2. Mention of specific job or field of interest

Interest, Desire, Conviction (2 or 3paragraphs)

1. Discussion of your qualifications from a reader-benefit or reader-interest

a. Education and Trainingb. Work Experiencec. Significant personal attitude,

interests, activities and qualities

2. Reference to resume

Action (1 paragraph)

1. Request for interview at reader’s convenience, with suggestions when you will be available

2. Easy actiona. Phone numberb. Hours you can be reached

Writing a Great Resume

KISS

Keep it Straight & Simple

Use Bullets

Be Brief and Clear

Short & Crisp One - Page

Projects, Achievements

Test of Recency, Knowledge & Relevance

Reader Friendly

Follow Order of Relevance

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Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offerThink of functional skills

SAMPLE FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

Advising people Handling complaints Planning agendas Analyzing data Interpreting languages Programming computers Auditing financial records Interviewing people Promoting events

Budgeting expenses Investigating problems Recruiting people Compiling statistics Listening to others Reviewing programs Coordinating events Managing projects Running meetings Corresponding with others Mediating between people Selling products & services Creating new ideas Motivating others Speaking in public Delegating responsibility Negotiating contracts Supervising others Designing data systems Organizing people & tasks Teaching classes Editing publications Persuading others Writing for publication

Try it now! List three of your functional skills.

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Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offer

Think of personal qualities

SAMPLE PERSONAL QUALITIES

Assertive Expressive Persistent Attention to detail Firm Perform well under stress Authentic Flexible Poised Candid Generous Resourceful Committed to growth Hard working Respectful Cooperative Honest Sense of Humor Curious Loyal Sincere Dynamic Open-minded Spontaneous Empathic Optimistic Tolerant Enthusiastic Patient Versatile

Try it now! List three of your personal qualities.

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Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offerThink of functional skills &

personal qualitiesBuild your list of…

◦work experience◦academics◦volunteer work◦classes◦course projects

activities clubs languages technical skills and so on…

Try it now! List at least five activities / experiences.

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Use Action Verbs!

Accomplished Achieved Analyzed

Assisted Communicated Coordinated

Created Designed Directed

Described Developed Designed

Effectively Edited Formulated

Implemented Initiated Led

Managed Organized Planned

Proactively Reported Sold

Solved Supported Thoroughly

Keep it brief and to the point

Your Résumé should be practical and not theoretical!

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What should I put on my resume?Follow the three tenets of resume

writing:

◦Every resume has a purpose

◦Everything on your resume supports that purpose

◦The items that best support your purpose come first

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Resume Categories – Identification

Name – Biggest thing on the resume

Full Address – May need current & permanent

Phone number with area codeEmail – (Make it professional!)

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Resume Categories - Objective

What does an objective do?◦Clarifies the purpose of your resume◦Presents a clear statement of your

goals

When should I use an objective?◦Include it on the resume when it is

very targeted specific type of position specific skills you offer

Career ObjectiveGeneral Abstract Version:

◦To progress, through hard work, from an entry-level accounts representative position to supervisory level position.

Personalized version: ◦To join Ahmed Advertising agency as an

entry-level accounts representative and through experience and training, progress to a supervisory role in creative projects.

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Resume Categories – Education

Be sure to include:◦Names of Schools◦Degrees Earned◦Major / Minor◦Date Attended or Graduation Date

Could also include◦GPA

(general rule, include if 3.0 or above)◦Honors / Awards◦Selected Courses

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Resume Categories – Experience

Required Information ◦Name of Employer / Organization◦Location – City & State◦Position Title◦Dates◦Duties, Responsibilities &

Accomplishments

Resume Categories – Experience

Guidelines for duties, responsibilities & accomplishments◦Include most relevant skills & qualities◦Most relevant information comes first◦Use strong action verbs◦Provide evidence of skills & qualities by

quantifying information

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Resume Categories - Other

Qualification Highlights

Summary

Relevant CoursesCourse ProjectsHonors & Awards

Work Experience Management

Experience Research

Experience Leadership

Experience Other Experience

Computer SkillsProfessional

Associations / Memberships

LanguagesCommunity Service

Avoid giving too much information

Hobbies

Health Height,

WeightMarital Status

Putting It All Together…Formatting

Attract & hold your reader’s attention◦Combinations of capital lettering,

underlining, bold face type, and indentations can jazz up your paper

◦Well placed white space can help the reader’s eye move across the paper

◦Whatever format you choose, be sure to be consistent

How does a

good résumé

look?

contact

objective

education

‘special coursework’

activities

experience

majorgpa

job titlecompany

tasks

‘refs available’

offices

overallin major

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Three Types of Resumes

Chronological

Functional

Hybrid

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Remember

A resume does not get you a job…

A resume does get you an interview.

And, putting time and consideration into your resume is one of the

best ways to prepare for your interviews!

How to Give an Interview?

There are different types of interviews:

On-campus interviews The Group interviewThe Panel interviewThe One-on-One interview

Employer Objectives

* Meet you and put a “face” to a résume* Assess your communication skills* Get to know you* Describe details of the position* Fill in gaps in your résume or history* Determine if you are a good fit with the organization and the position

Applicant ObjectivesSell yourselfLearn more about the positionLearn more about the

organizationGet the job offerDecide if you want the position

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Research -- Be able to ask ???

Research -- Be able to ask intelligent questions

◦ Newspaper articles

◦ Talk to people who work for the company

◦ Visit their internet site

◦ Check Human Resource Department for press

kit about company history

Rehearsal Time

Interview with a friend

Practice typical questions using a mirror and tape recorder

What Should I Wear?

?

Dress For Success

Be conservative in dress.

Avoid loud colors and

printed fabrics.

Make sure your

clothes are nicely

pressed.

AT THE INTERVIEW

It’sShowtime

Body Language

Good Posture◦ Sit up straight: edge or back of the chair

Avoid crossing legs and arms

Inviting Gestures◦ Firm handshake◦ Nod your head,

indicates you are listening.

Body Language

Eye Contact

◦ Indicates confidence.

Speak Clearly

◦ Standard English, not slang.

◦ Not only what you say, but how you say it.

Typical Questions

Tell me about yourself.What are your strengths?What are your weaknesses?What are some of your goals?Do you like working with others or on

your own?

Honesty is the best policy???

Typical Tough Questions???

What qualities do you have that offset your lack of experience?

Are you going to move to a better job as soon as you gain experience here?

If you are faced with a deadline you can’t meet, what will you do?

Stay Calm. Don’t be Defensive. Focus on your Skills.

BEHAVIOR-BASED INTERVIEWS

Five Popular Behavior-Based Questions:

Give me a specific example of a time when you

sold your supervisor or professor on an idea or concept.

(Shows negotiation and persuasive skills)

Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects.

(Shows organization and prioritizing skills)

Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company or class was facing.

(Shows creativity and imagination)

Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor.

(Shows problem-solving and decision-making skills)

Describe a time when you handled a disgruntled customer.

(Shows communication and customer service skills)

Employee QuestionsWhom would I be working with

most closely?How many people have held this

job in the last 10 years? Where did they go?

What advancement do you see for me in five years if I have proven myself?

Questions to Avoid

Salary

◦Research other companies, give a

range

Vacations

Benefits

Sick leave

Final Comments

Thank the interviewer for the interview

Decide a convenient time you can call on the hiring status

TOP TEN NEGATIVE FACTORS EVALUATED BY INTERVIEWERS

1. Poor personal appearance

2. Lack of planning for career – no purpose, goals, or focus

3. Lack of confidence and poise – nervousness

4. Overemphasis on compensation as the deciding factor

5. Making excuses for unfavorable events in work history

6. Lack of tact, maturity, and courtesy – overbearing or egotistical behavior

7. Condemnation of past employers

8. Failure to look the interviewer in the eye

9. Limp handshake

10. Failure to appreciate the value of experience

After an Interview

Following Up