Cover Letter Workshop

1. Cover Letter Workshop

2. Overview • This lesson will cover • Cover letter basics • Cover letter sections • Cover letter design • Cover letter samples • Follow up letters

3. Cover Letter Basics • What is a cover letter? • A document that explains your job goals, education, job history • Cover letters also explain why you are capable of filling the job position • Why do I need a cover letter? • Employers use cover letters to • Get more information than provided on résumé • See who can do a job • Read about your past jobs, skills • See if you can write/communicate • Decide which applicant will be interviewed

4. Cover Letter Basics • What is the goal of my cover letter? • To get an interview! (In order to then get the job!)

5. Cover Letter Basics • What should my cover letter contain? • Heading • Introduction • Body paragraphs (support information) • Closing

6. Cover Letter Basics • What should my cover letter accomplish? • Show employer you have tailored the letter to the company, job • Explain your experiences in a clear way that matches the information from your résumé • Explain your experiences that relate to the job you want • Explain how your experiences/skills will help the employer fulfill job requirements • Provide a good example of your communication skills

7. Cover Letter Headings • Headings should contain: • Date you are writing • Your mailing address • Email address, if you have one (professional tone; no hotchick@gmail.com) • Address of employer

8. Cover Letter Introductions • Introductions should: • Greet specific person (if possible) • State position you are applying for, how you heard about it • Explain why you are a good match for job, company • Introduce two examples from your résumé you will use to explain why you can do job

9. Cover Letter Introductions • Here are two example introductions:

10. Cover Letter Body Paragraphs • Body paragraphs should: • Support your argument that you are qualified for job, good match for company • Explain the two examples from your résumé you use to support your points • First body paragraph example:

11. Cover Letter Body Paragraphs • Second body paragraph example:

12. Cover Letter Body Paragraphs • Another example of a body paragraph

13. Cover Letter Closings • Closings should: • Restate your qualifications • Ask for an interview • Provide contact information • Reference résumé • Thank employer • Close politely • Remember to sign your name, list enclosures

14. Cover Letter Closings • Sample closing:

15. Letter Language Avoid weak language: I worked as a ramp agent at Comair. Use Strong language: As a ramp agent, I assisted in loading baggage, oversaw fueling the aircraft, and stocked commissary items on the aircraft. “Translate” language employers may not know (military): Received and stored bulk and package petroleum, oils, and lubricants products. Vs. Coordinated and distributed petroleum products and monitored quality control systems.

16. Letter Tips • Avoid unprofessional language • Letter length • Letter should only be one page! • Strongest and most relevant qualifications should be highlighted • Limit to a few qualifications • Easy to read • Begin with topic sentences

17. More Letter Tips • Appeal to company values, attitudes, goals, projects, etc. • Explain how you will help organization • Elaborate on the information in your résumé • Provide evidence of your qualifications • Proofread carefully for grammatical and typographical errors

18. More Letter Tips • What do I do about any times I was not working? • Short breaks in work experience shouldn’t hurt your chances • Be ready to talk about what you did: • Volunteerism • Faith-based activities • Family-related responsibilities

19. More Letter Tips • What should I do if I have been in trouble? • Be honest • Talk about what you did (positive things) while you were “serving your sentence:” • GED • Vocational training • Faith-based activities • Learned from your mistakes

20. Cover Letter Design • You may choose between: Block Modified Block

21. Cover Letter Design • Or: Semi-block

22. Cover Letter Samples Dear Mr. Lee: I read in the June 7, 2009 Journal and Courier employment section that Hoosier Distribution is hiring a warehouse worker and truck driver, and I would like to speak with you about this job. My strong work ethic and solid teamwork skills make me a good match for Hoosier Distribution. Also, my warehouse experience and excellent driving record at Small Car Parts International make me a good candidate for this job. As a warehouse worker and deliver driver for Small Car Parts International in Lafayette, I lifted and carried boxes well over 100 pounds, tracked inventory, and I used maps and directions to deliver car parts. I also interacted with gas station and auto mechanic shop employees to conduct business. As a pizza delivery driver for Ernie’s Premier Pizza, I drove routes in a heavily trafficked urban and suburban areas, interacted with delivery customers to conduct business, and worked with employees and customers from diverse ethnicities and cultures. I believe that my warehouse and driving experience will make me a strong member of your distribution team. I am looking forward to meeting with you about the warehouse and truck driver position. I am sure that my strong work ethic and experience can help Hoosier Distribution maintain a high level of service. If you have any questions, please call me at 765-123-4567. For your reference, I have included my résumé. Thank you for taking the time to review my documents.

23. Cover Letter Samples Dear Ms. Millhouse: I saw your flier at Lafayette Beauty Academy for the cosmetologist position, and I would like to speak with you about this job. My strong work ethic and solid teamwork skills will make me a valuable member of your staff. In addition, my experience at the JCPenny Salon will allow me to start work with you immediately without much training. I am an Indiana state licensed cosmetologist (# 345689990), and I really enjoy working with people in a salon environment. As a salon assistant and receptionist at the JCPenny Salon at Tippecanoe Mall, I gained experience working in a salon by assisting cosmetologists in washing hair, cleaning, tracking inventory. When working as a receptionist, I performed point of sales transactions and helped customers schedule appointments. During my training at Lafayette Beauty Academy, I acquired the skills necessary to work as a licensed cosmetologist, maintained an excellent attendance record, and scored high on all tests. I believe that these experiences will enable me to begin work in your salon without much training. As a licensed cosmetologist, I can clean, sterilize, and disinfect areas and equipment, and I can order, receive, inspect, and store equipment, merchandise, and supplies. In addition, I can perform manicures and makeup applications and give scalp treatments and shampoos, as well as cut, shape, style, tint, rinse and dye client’s hair according to existing cosmetology practices. Lastly, I can give permanents and work on a variety of synthetic and human wigs. I am looking forward to meeting with you about your cosmetologist position. I am sure that my strong work ethic and experience can help your salon maintain a high level of service. If you have any questions, please call me at 765-123-4567. For your reference, I have included my résumé. Thank you for taking the time to review my documents.

24. Follow Up & Thank You Letters • Follow up letters • State that you are still interested in job • Ask whether or not employer has received your documents • Explain that you are waiting to hear what to do next • Thank you letters • Thank employer for job interview • State that you are still interested in job • Ask whether or not job has been filled • Explain that you are waiting to hear what to do next

25. Follow Up Letter Sample Dear Alex Carson: Two weeks ago, I submitted a résumé and cover letter in response to your job ad for the welder apprentice position (#46). I am following up to make sure you received these documents. I am still very interested in interviewing for the job if you have not yet hired someone. I am looking forward to meeting with you to discuss the welder apprentice position and how I can help A & D Industries. I feel that my years of welding experience will allow me to be a valuable member of your team. If you have not received my résumé and cover letter, I would be happy to resubmit them or drop them off in person. If you have any questions, please call me at 765-123-4567. You may also email me at kmjones@gmail.com.

26. Thank You Letter Sample Dear Alex Carson: Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the welder apprentice position (#46) at A & D Industries. I enjoyed speaking with you and am still very interested in working for A & D. I realize that the welder apprentice position can be challenging because of the long hours and hectic work environment. However, I am sure that my years of welding and experience working in fast-paced jobs will allow me to excel at A & D Industries. It was a pleasure meeting with you and learning more about the welder apprentice position at A & D Industries. I look forward to hearing from you about the position. If you have any questions, please call me at 765-123-4567. You may also email me at kmjones@gmail.com.

27. Cover Letter Help • Access hundreds of cover letter resources at the Community Writing and Education Station (CWEST):http://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/

28. The End