ITEC228 DEVELOPING AWARENESS FOR WORKING LIFE LESSON 3 COVER LETTER WRITING

1. ITEC228DEVELOPING AWARENESS FOR WORKING LIFELESSON 3COVER LETTER WRITING BY: HÜSEYİN GÜRSEV SPRING 2010

2. Cover letter writing COVER LETTERA letter that you send to accompany your CV when you apply for job, whether advertised or when you are sending an unsolicited application. The main purpose of a cover letter is to sell yourself to the company, and to obtain an interview. A cover letter is a critical part of the job search process. It allows you the first opportunity to gain some interest from the employer. Cover Letter is your introduction and teaser to encourage your prospective employer to continue reading, right through to your CV.

3. Cover letter writing COVER LETTER An effective cover letter should explain the reasons for your interest in the organization and in the job you are applying for. Make sure that your letter explains how your skills relate to the criteria listed in the job advertisement or posting. The number one rule for writing cover letters is keep it brief. You want to encourage interest, not snoring! Three to four paragraphs is ideal, and remember to customize your cover letters for each job you apply for.

4. Cover letter writing COVER LETTER Many recruiters feel that job seekers send cover letters to a broad audience. Recruiters and employers don’t want to see a generic piece of communication, that’s a sure-fire way of being tossed in the reject pile! Recruiters are looking for targeted and original letters. The person who receives the letter must think that you are writing specifically for him. Cover Letter must motivate the recruiter to call you for an interview

5. Cover letter writing COVER LETTER OVERVIEW A Cover Letter is sent with a CV. It can make the difference between being successful in job search or not. Cover letters are generally not read during the first candidate selection, but usually they will be read when the candidates have been short listed. Always include a cover letter even if the job ad does not specify that one is needed. Occasionally, job ads also specify a hand written cover letter. A cover letter is a way of showing your writing and reporting skills. Your cover letter should not be a copy of your CV.

6. Cover letter writing COVER LETTER OVERVIEW Do not mention salary in your cover letter. If the job ad requests your expected salary then mention a range rather than a specific amount. For example $10,000 - $15,000 rather than stating 12,000. Cover letter should be customized per employer. However, if you are sending a lot of CVs, this task could prove impossible. Try instead to have a cover letter per industry or per area.

7. Cover letter writing THE 7 ESSENTIALS OF WRITING COVER LETTER1. Your Cover letter should reflect the same format as your CV; Since it forms part of the same ‘marketing’ tool for Job search. Address your cover letter to a real person (wherever possible) . Find out the name of the person who will be receiving or reviewing your CV, It really pays to show initiative. - There’s no better first impression than having something personally addressed. If you have no way of finding out the name, use “Dear Hiring Manager” and avoid using dated salutations like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Attention: Human Resources”. Your Opening paragraph should clearly state the position you are applying for, or the reason for your letter. - If the position has been advertised, include a reference code if requested, and the referral source (ie. advertised online, in XYZ newspaper, or recommendation from a current employee, etc) ) 2.

8. Cover letter writing THE 7 ESSENTIALS OF WRITING COVER LETTER4. The Body of your letter is your sales pitch. Outline the top reasons why you are worthy of an interview.  - Remember that employers and recruiters need to know ‘what you can do for them’, not your life story. - You should mention specifically how your skills and experience match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are briefly summarizing your CV, not repeating it. - Try to support each statement you make with a short piece of evidence. The Closing paragraph should be a ‘Call to action’. Express your strong interest in an interview and state that you will follow up soon to confirm receipt of your CV and discuss the possibility of a face-to-face meeting. 2.

9. Cover letter writing THE 7 ESSENTIALS OF WRITING COVER LETTER6. Write your Cover letter with passion and enthusiasm.  - So many people write a reasonably well-constructed letter which conveys absolutely nothing, or that reads the same as everyone else. - Use emotive words, such as  ’I’m excited by’ or  ’extremely motivated’, and keep your letter positive and upbeat. 7. Close your letter professionally, with ’Yours sincerely’ if you have personally addressed the letter, or with “Yours faithfully”, if you do not know the person’s name. ) 2.

10. Cover letter writing A GUIDE TO A GREAT COVER LETTER Writing Cover letter is not a difficult task. It should be a concise, to the point letter that is no longer than one page. There are several key points that you need to keep in mind while writing a dynamite Cover letter. Tell the reader what position you are applying for Make the reader want to learn more about you Coincides appropriately with your CV Show your personality Prove to the reader that you are capable and knowledgeable .

11. Cover letter writing A GUIDE TO A GREAT COVER LETTER COVER LETTER TYPES Several types of cover letters can be used, depending on the purpose and the target person. Careful consideration should be given to the format, tone, grammar, and structure of Cover Letter to ensure that the letter creates a positive image of the applicant. The following types of cover letters can be used during your job hunt: 1. Cover Letter for Advertised Opening 2. Cold-contact (First Contact ) Cover Letter 3. Network Cover Letter .

12. Cover letter writing A GUIDE TO A GREAT COVER LETTER COVER LETTER TYPES 1. Cover Letter for Advertised Opening A letter for an advertised opening also known as ‘Targeted Cover Letter’ is the most common type. You are able to highlight your skills and experience that match the job requirements and motivate why you are the perfect person for the job. A Targeted Cover Letter has immense potential for getting the interview. .

13. Cover letter writing A GUIDE TO A GREAT COVER LETTER COVER LETTER TYPES 2. Cold-contact (First Contact) Cover Letter This type of letter is used when you contact a company that didn’t place advertisements for specific positions with a hope that some companies have openings available but did not get advertised. The letter is used to initiate negotiation for a job. It serve as an introduction of your CV. However, this type of letter has 2 – 20% chance of getting a job interview. This type is also referred to as Speculative Covering Letter. .

14. Cover letter writing A GUIDE TO A GREAT COVER LETTER COVER LETTER TYPES 3. Network Cover Letter This type of letter produces the best results; since the applicant and the company already has something in common. It is used when you have been referred to he company by someone reputable. Make sure to mention the name of referrer within the first paragraph of the Cover letter. This letter is also known as Recommendation Cover Letter. .

15. Cover letter writing A GUIDE TO A GREAT COVER LETTER COVER LETTER STRUCTURES The structure of cover letters is very important. It is necessary that the reader be able to follow cover letter clearly. Some tips to maintain a solid Cover Letter structure. First paragraph should be why you are writing. Introduce yourself! Next, state your qualifications, both academic and professional. Tell the reader why you should get an interview, and why you are right for the job. Request that the reader contacts you. Ask for a meeting. .

16. Cover letter writing A GUIDE TO A GREAT COVER LETTER COVER LETTER STRUCTURES There are a few things that you should always mention and a few things you should never mention on the Cover Letter: Put great emphasis on the skillsthat you can bring to the job. Show how university prepared you for the working world. Include relevant courses and/or work experience such as internships. Use action verbs that show your positive attributes. Show what skills and experience you can bring to the company. Show your positive qualities, and how they will fit in with the structure of the company. .

17. Cover letter writing A GUIDE TO A GREAT COVER LETTER COVER LETTER STRUCTURES Show that you have done your homework. By showing your knowledge of the company and their industry, you are showing that you are already a step above the competition. (Search Internet or check Firm’s Web) Customize your letter to match the advertisement. If a company is looking for sales skills, talk up your past sales experience in your cover letter. Be sharp, concise, and to the point with your letter. Do not make the reader search for answers. He or she should be able to find them without looking. Never use any negative verbiage in your cover letter. Do not say ‘ I apologize', this shows the reader that you know you did something wrong. .

18. Cover letter writing A GUIDE TO A GREAT COVER LETTER COVER LETTER STRUCTURES You need to do something that will set your letter off and raise you above the competition. Because: a) You are not going to be the only applicant for a particular job. b) A bigger company that has thousands of employees is going to command a high response rate Use the following tips to make your Cover Letter stand out in the crowd. Use bulleted lists that will help to set off your strengths. Bulleted lists allow for the reader to quickly find what they are looking for. Add a PS (Please See) to your letter. This is one final way to get an important nugget of information implanted in the readers mind. .

19. Cover letter writing DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COVER LETTER AND PERSONAL STATEMENT A Personal Statement or Profile on your CV is a short introduction to your CV, whereas a Covering Letter is a one page letter going into much more detail about why you are suitable for a specific job and organization. There will inevitably be some overlap in content, so try to write any similar content using different words (use a thesaurus) and from a slightly different perspective. Profile will be on all your CVs, you normally just mention the particular job sector you are applying for jobs in. A Covering letter is normally used to apply for a specific advertised vacancy and so will focus on a particular job. .

20. Cover letter writing DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COVER LETTER AND PERSONAL STATEMENT Sometimes you may send out a Speculative Covering Letter with your CV and where the focus will be broad, just like in the CV Profile, as you don't know which jobs might be available. .

21. Cover letter writing SUMMARYAll Cover letters should: Explain why you are sending a CV. - Don't send a CV without a Cover letter.  - Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities? Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization A news paper ad. a web site, a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write. .

22. Cover letter writing SUMMARYAll Cover letters should: Convince the reader to look at your CV. Cover letter must be very well written and targeted to that employer. Call attention to the elements of your background Include education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Reflect your attitude, Personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills. Provide or refer to any other information which is not mentioned Such as your Availability date, etc…. .

23. Cover letter writing SUMMARYAll Cover letters should indicate what you will do to follow-up: In a Letter of Application - Applying for an advertised opening — applicants often say something like "I look forward to hearing from you." - If the employer hasn't said "no phone calls," it's better to take the initiative to follow-up, saying something like, "I will contact you in the next two weeks to see if you require any additional information regarding my qualifications." In a Letter of Inquiry - Asking about the possibility of an opening — don't assume the employer will contact you. You should say something like, "I will contact you in two weeks to learn more about upcoming employment opportunities" Mark your calendar to make the call. .

24. Cover letter writing COVER LETTER EXAMPLES. SEARCH INTERNET FOR COVER LETTERS BY PROFESSIONS KEY WORD ‘Cover Letters By Profession’

25. A GRADUATE COVER LETTER EXAMPLE Mr. Joseph BanksHamilton and Meyer25 State DrivePittsburgh, PA 15205 Dear Mr. Smith: I recently received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh, and feel that my background makes me a good fit for the position of accountant at Hamilton and Meyer. Even though I recently graduated, I have several years of experience in the accounting field. In a recent internship with Thorp and Reed I helped to assist staff in the daily accounting duties and office work. This experience gave me the necessary skills to take on a full-time accounting position. I feel that my past work and education have prepared me well for a position within the accounting industry, and I am very interested in starting a career with a reputable company such as yours. I am available to interview at your office anytime this month. I feel that a meeting would be mutually beneficial to the both of us. If I do not hear from you within the next week, I will give you a call to arrange an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Chris Banks .

26. A GRADUATE COVER LETTER EXAMPLE March 14, 2008 Ms. Charlene PrinceDirector of PersonnelLarge National Bank CorporationRoanoke, VA 24040cprince@largebank.com Dear Ms. Prince: As I indicated in our telephone conversation yesterday, I would like to apply for the marketing research position you advertised in the March 12th edition of the Roanoke Times and World News. With my undergraduate research background, my training in psychology and sociology, and my work experience, I believe I could make a valuable contribution to Large National Bank Corporation in this position. In May I will complete my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. As part of the requirements for this degree, I am involved in a senior marketing research project that has given me experience interviewing and surveying research subjects and assisting with the analysis of the data collected. I also have completed a course in statistics and research methods. In addition to academic work, my experience also includes working part-time as a bookkeeper in a small independent bookstore with an annual budget of approximately $150,000.  Because of the small size of this business, I have been exposed to and participated in most aspects of managing a business, including advertising and marketing.  As the bookkeeper, I produced monthly sales reports that allow the owner/buyer to project seasonal inventory needs. I also assisted with the development of ideas for special promotional events and calculated book sales proceeds after each event in order to evaluate its success. I believe that the combination of my business experience and social science research training is well-suited to the marketing research position you described.  I have enclosed a copy of my resume with additional information about my qualifications.  Thank you for your consideration.  I look forward to receiving your reply. Sincerely,Jessica Lawrence250 Prices Fork RoadBlacksburg, VA 24060(540) 555-1234je .

27. A GRADUATE COVER LETTER EXAMPLE Mr. John WilsonPersonnel DirectorAnderson Construction Company 3507 Rockville PikeRockville, MD 20895 Dear Mr. Wilson: I read in the March 24th Washington Post classified section of your need for a Civil Engineer or Building Construction graduate for one of your Washington, DC, area sites. I will be returning to the Washington area after graduation in May and believe that I have the necessary credentials for the project. I have worked at various levels in the construction industry every summer since the 8th grade. As you can see from my resume, I worked several summers as a general laborer, gradually moved up to a carpenter, and last summer I worked as assistant construction manager on a 100 million dollar job. In addition to this practical experience, I will complete requirements for my Building Construction degree in May.  As you may know, Virginia Tech is one of the few universities in the country that offers such a specialized degree for the construction industry. I am confident that my Building Construction degree, along with my years of construction industry experience, make me an excellent candidate for your job. The Anderson Construction Company projects are familiar to me, and my aspiration is to work for a company that has your excellent reputation.  I would welcome the opportunity to interview with you. I will be in the Washington area during the week of April 12th and would be available to speak with you at that time. In the next week to ten days I will contact you to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,(handwritten signature) Steve Mason Enclosure .

28. A GRADUATE COVER LETTER EXAMPLE December 12, 2007 Mr. Robert BurnsPresident, Template DivisionMEGATEK Corporation9845 Technical WayArlington, VA 22207burns@megatek.com Dear Mr. Burns: I learned of MEGATEK through online research using the CareerSearch database through Career Services at Virginia Tech where I am completing my Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering. From my research on your web site, I believe there would be a good fit between my skills and interests and your needs. I am interested in a software engineering position upon completion of my degree in May 2008. As a graduate student, I am one of six members on a software development team where we are writing a computer aided aircraft design program for NASA. My responsibilities include designing, coding, and testing of a graphical portion of the program which requires the use of GIARO for graphics input and output. I have a strong background in computer aided design, software development, and engineering, and believe that these skills would benefit the designing and manufacturing aspects of Template software.  Enclosed is my resume which further outlines my qualifications. My qualifications make me well suited to the projects areas in which your division of MEGATEK is expanding efforts.  I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a position with you, and will contact you in a week or ten days to answer any questions you may have and to see if you need any other information from me such as a company application form or transcripts.  Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,William Stevens123 Ascot LaneBlacksburg, VA 24060(540) 555-2556.

29. A GRADUATE COVER LETTER EXAMPLE October 23, 2009 Mr. James G. WebbDelon Hampton & Associates800 K Street, N.W., Suite 720Washington, DC 20001-8000 email: K.Walker@vt.edu Dear Mr. Webb: I will be graduating from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in May 2010, and am researching employment opportunities in the Washington area. I obtained your name from VT CareerLink, Career Services' Alumni database. I very much appreciate your volunteering to help students with job search information, and I hope that your schedule will permit you to provide me with some advice. I am particularly interested in historic preservation and understand that your firm does work in this area. I am also interested in learning how the architects in your firm began their careers. My resume is enclosed simply to give you some information about my background and project work. I will call you in two weeks to arrange a time to speak to you by telephone or perhaps visit your office if that would be convenient. I will be in the Washington area during the week of November 23. I very much appreciate your time and consideration of my request, and I look forward to talking with you. Sincerely,(handwritten signature)Kristen Walker Encl.