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JOBTALKS

JOBTALKS. Direct Mail Job Campaigns Cover Letter. Indiana University Kelley School of Business C. Randall Powell, Ph.D. Contents used in this presentation are adapted from Career Planning Strategies and used with the permission of the author. Cover Letter Structure. 1 Introduction

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JOBTALKS

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  1. JOBTALKS Direct Mail Job Campaigns Cover Letter Indiana UniversityKelley School of BusinessC. Randall Powell, Ph.D Contents used in this presentation are adapted from Career Planning Strategies and used with the permission of the author.

  2. Cover Letter Structure 1 Introduction 2 Body 3 Close

  3. Format one to four paragraphs maximum four sentences per paragraph well organized pattern perfect spelling and grammar

  4. Introduction Attracts attention Establishes purpose

  5. Introductory Sentences describe position sought mutual acquaintances qualifications statements emphasize accomplishments

  6. Introduction how you heard of opening what you want what you offer

  7. Introduction • personal referral • drop name • state credentials Dr. C. Randall Powell, Professor of Business Administration at Indiana University, recently suggested that I write you concerning your opening and my interest in a labor relations assistant position. With a B.S. degree in personnel management and courses in labor economics, collective bargaining, and labor law, I am confident that I could make a positive contribution in the position.

  8. "...even Iacocca warned me not to name-drop." "...even Iacocca warned me not to name-drop."

  9. Newspaper Advertisement Your advertisement for an Internal Auditor in the Wall Street Journal on October 15 appears to match my interests and qualifications closely. As a December graduating senior majoring in accounting at State University, I would like to apply for this position.

  10. Introduction Your advertisement in Job Choices prompted me to write you about consideration for a position in chemical engineering. I will receive a bachelor of science degree in biology from Ohio State in June. • Advertisement source • position • credentials

  11. Cold Contact Dear Mr. Big:Please consider this an application for a position as an electrical engineer with ABC Electronics. On June 21 I receive a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from State Technical University. I am originally from Anywhere so I know ABC well and feel that I want to begin my career where I have roots. • position • credentials • rationale

  12. Introduction Igraduated five years ago from the University of Missouri with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Business Administration. After reading your advertisement for the "Engineering Supervisor" position posted at the University of Missouri, I am pleased to submit to you my qualifications in the attached resume. • credentials • advertisement • position • source

  13. How's this for openers... "Dear multinational conglomerate, ever more omnipresent factor in all our lives..."

  14. Body 1. Sell credentials 2. Explain why this employer 3. Relate background to position 4. Build a match Balance these four major points in your body

  15. Body My academic and part-time work experience background appears to match the job applications that your employment literature describes for the marketing position. To supplement my course background, I have also been a student leader on several projects in college which I believe adds strength to my credentials for this assignment. Two of my friends who graduated last year are now with IBM and have encouraged me to contact you. • match exists • have done • homework • contacts

  16. Word Choices • The words you use must show: • that you and the job match • what sets you apart from the others I see that you are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, and cheerful, now what can you do for me?

  17. Body During my first three years at DePauw, I worked as a part-time teller at the University Credit Union. During summers I worked as a clerk/secretary, basically filling in as vacation relief in several jobs. Beginning my senior year I worked part-time in the Bursar's Office doing odd jobs dealing with cash balances, fee collections, auditing statements, calling on bad debts, report writing, etc. I have taken courses in money and banking, financial institutions, and two courses in accounting and finance which I took at night school during summers at home. • related part-time work • supportingcourses

  18. Body I really enjoy the public contact and servicing the customer but I want to get more experience in the buying function, supervision, and general administration. As vice president of my sorority, I learned much about management skills. This encouraged me to take two courses in business (accounting and retail marketing) which should help my understanding of your business operations. I hope to graduate in the top twenty percent of my class. • excited • wants more • relates skills to activities • outsidecourseworkreferred to • performance

  19. Body must do Three Things Body must: Refer to resume Describe assets Point to accomplishments

  20. Body My coursework consists of 18 hours of chemistry, 6 hours of physics, 12 hours of math, and 30 hours of biological sciences. My advisor, Dr. I.M. Smart, is encouraging me to go to graduate school, but I am more interested in utilizing my background in a practical setting instead of a research orientation. My resume gives a better understanding of why I feel this way. • strongacademiccredentials • practical person • refers toresume

  21. Body Several of my professors have recommended that I interview with Cummins, given the fact that my technical background coupled with a business education seems consistent with that of other graduates whom you have hired in the past. I am not a professional mechanic, but I am quite familiar with your equipment since I worked part-time at a local garage. • faculty referral • positiveattitude • skills

  22. Use Examples work education activities

  23. Describe experiences To show an employer your creative abilities, briefly describe an episode which used this skill

  24. Body I have not been an academic superstar but I have never earned anything less than a "B" grade in accounting. I have worked 20 hours each week as a night auditor for the University Union for the past two years which has limited my extracurricular activities, but working allowed me to finish college. During my first two years here, I was quite involved in organizing an intramural softball league for women, but wound up umpiring because I needed the money. • grades • work • values • activities

  25. Personalize Your Letter Personal description Personal interestsRelate to peopleState why this job

  26. Describe experiences Solicit ideas from others as you write your cover letter That’s it! Now put in one more line about my creativity and I’ll toss in an extra candy bar.

  27. Close - Last Paragraph close sale invite action I just read your cover letter, YOU'RE HIRED!!

  28. Ask for Action direct positive convincing

  29. Close Aggressively take commandlist expectationssuggest future action

  30. Passive Closes • invites the employer to ignore you • reveals a weak will • suggests you are a marginal candidate • waste of time

  31. Close I hope that we can get together. My personal plans call for a trip to Chicago next month. Would it be possible for us to meet on February 20? I will call you or your secretary next Tuesday to set up a specific appointment time. Please feel free to call me at 812-334-5678 if that date is inconvenient. I appreciate your consideration. • specific date • pressureon employer • thankemployer

  32. Close Since I am very interested in a chance to speak with you about my qualifications and interests, I hope we can get together soon. I will call you on xx/xx/xx to see if a convenient time for an interview can be arranged. I sincerely appreciate your consideration given to my application. • confident • specific date • appreciation

  33. Weak Close if you have any interest, please contact me

  34. Aggressive Close I will pay any expenses I will call on… I will be in town on Is...date ok? Please return enclosed

  35. Close I prefer to locate in your area and am trying to determine if a 1,000 mile trip in late January is worth the cost. I do have relatives with whom I can stay. Enclosed is a copy of this letter with a stamped and addressed envelope. If you can offer the slightest encouragement to me, I am willing to pay for a trip to the area. Please check the appropriate boxes and return. I shall look forward to your reply and hopefully to a personal interview. survey returnrequested • Call for an appointment • Stop in when get here • Call when you arrive in town • Recontact in weeks • No present match • Return application blank

  36. Aggressive Closes Postcard Enclosed • John Jones • Call for an appointment - No. • Stop by when in Chicago. • No current openings but contact us in . • Anticipate no opening in (your field). • Comments: anticipates reply alternatives follow-up based on reply anticipates reply alternatives follow-up based on reply

  37. Do More Than Imply! make a pass-ask for the interview!

  38. Plan Strategy avoid "circular file" communicate intended action

  39. Follow-Up Action pick up the ball - telephone for an appointment don't delay - you can score

  40. Be Persistent! You may "win" if you're : aggressive enthusiastic persistent

  41. Illustrated Cover Letter opens with goalcredentials matchexperience influencedvaluespersonal qualitiesknows the jobrefers to resumepersonal qualitiesappointmentwill call

  42. I'm still looking!

  43. The Perfect Cover Letter Dear Mr. Bronson:Mr. Bronson, my supreme goal in life is to become the greatest advertising manager this nation has ever seen. God willing, my name will consume this country like a fungus in twenty years.

  44. The Perfect Cover Letter When I communicate, the people will listen -- FERVENTLY -- and there will be great joy and righteous partying throughout the land. I will be a legend in my own time -- a benchmark of the age.

  45. The Perfect Cover Letter Live and in color I can see it all: college campuses, baseball stadiums, Madison Square Garden, Time, Newsweek, 60 minutes, The Tonight Show, Nightline, Oprah, Jennings, and oh yes, Mary Sue down the block.

  46. The Perfect Cover Letter I believe, Baby, I believe! Children will love me, Parents will praise me, The supreme court will name a case after me.

  47. The Perfect Cover Letter Victory! Retirement! Pension! The legend secure forever. It won't be easy, Mr. Bronson but with your support, I know we can pull it off! Confidently Yours, I. M. SureB.S., Marketing State U.

  48. The Perfect Cover Letter - Results- Got Interview- No Offer- Didn't Fit in Structure

  49. Use the BACK button to return to the menu

  50. If you would like to learn more, Career Planning Strategies textbook will supply additional information on this topic.

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