Crafting Effective Cover Letters for Job Applications

1. Writing a Cover Letter Lecture 13

2. Yesterday • Making your own résumé • Sections to include • How to write each section • Print and e- résumés • Editing and finishing your résumé

3. Today • Cover Letters • What is a cover letter? • Cover letter contents • Preparing your cover letter • Writing your cover letter

4. Today • Lecture material taken from: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource

5. Cover Letters • Also called “application letters” • Introduces you and your résumé to potential employers or organizations you wish to join

6. Cover Letters • It is the first document an employer sees, so we need to make a good first impression • Should always accompany a résumé • Résumé and cover letter are a team!

7. Cover Letters • Objectives: • Why you are writing • Why you are good for the job • How/when you will contact him/her

8. Cover Letters • Does more than introduce your résumé • Also:

9. Cover Letters • Explain experiences through stories • Relate skills/experiences to job requirements • Show employer that you are targeting this job • Give a sample of written skills

10. Sections • Header • Introduction • Argument • Closing

11. Sections • Header • Introduction • Argument • Closing

12. Header • Your name • The address where you can be reached • Phone number • Fax number (if applicable) • E-mail address

13. Header • This is to make it easy for the person to contact you

14. Header • Then, skip a line and write the date • Then skip another line and write: • Name of the specific person • Title of that person (if available) • Address of the company

15. Craig M. Leroix2987 W. Taylor Dr.Portland, OR 45720890-372-1262cmleroix@anywhere.com February 2, 2005 Amy Kincaid, Human Resource DirectorWestern Electric, Inc.387 Collier LaneAtlanta, Georgia 30051

16. Header • Who do I address my letter to? • Look in the job ad for the contact person. • Call the company for more information. • Research the company's website for the person in charge of the department you are applying to

17. Header • Address it to the specific person when you can: • If you can’t • “Dear Selection Committee” • “Dear Hiring Professionals” • “Dear Human Resources Representative”

18. Sections • Header • Introduction • Argument • Closing

19. Introduction Purpose: • Get the reader’s attention • Introduce yourself • Explain purpose of letter • Explain why interested in the position or the company • Explain how you will help the organization • Preview the rest of the letter

20. Introduction • Be very specific and use the following techniques: • State the university you attend, your major, and what position you are applying for (if you are a student). • Mention where you heard about the job

21. Introduction • Examples: • As a Purdue University junior in Electrical Engineering, I would like to fill the position of Engineering Internship advertised on General Electric's website.

22. Introduction • Examples: • Professor Gene Smith speaks highly of Western Electric, and he urged me to write directly to you.

23. Introduction • Examples: • I have been thinking about our conversation at Purdue's Career Fair on January 26. I agree that a team spirit and strong work ethic are vital for success, and I believe I can bring these qualities to your company.

24. Introduction • Examples: • As a business adminstration student from China, I would like to fill the position of the translating internship advertised on WorkAbroad`s website.

25. Introduction • How to make a strong claim for yourself • After getting the attention, you must convince the reader that you match their organization/company’s needs

26. Introduction • Clearly state two-three qualifications you have that match the company/position. • These qualifications will then be the focus of your body paragraphs and arguments.

27. Introduction • Clearly state two-three qualifications you have that match the company/position. • These qualifications will then be the focus of your body paragraphs and arguments.

28. Introduction • Examples • I agree that a team spirit and strong work ethic are vital for success, and I believe I can bring these qualities to your company.

29. Introduction • Examples • I believe that my production experience, design skills, and enthusiasm for writing make me a strong candidate for the Production/Design Internship.

30. Sections • Header • Introduction • Argument • Closing

31. Argument/Body • Focus your cover letter's body around the two-three qualifications you mention in the introduction. • In each paragraph, concentrate on one quality, • Answer the following questions:

32. Argument/Body • How can I show I am qualified for this position and that I am a good match for the organization? • What have I done that illustrates these qualifications?

33. Argument/Body • Show, don’t tell! • Don’t just mention the skills that you have; you also have to show how you have them!

34. Argument/Body • Think of it as telling a story. You should describe the experiences of how you received and grew your skills, mentioning specific places you worked and positions you held

35. Argument/Body • Think of it as telling a story. You should describe the experiences of how you received and grew your skills, mentioning specific places you worked and positions you held

36. Argument/Body • Example: • “My communication skills have grown in the past year. I learned how to write many different kinds of business messages, teaching me to write clearly and directly.”

37. Argument/Body • Along with explaining your skills, you want to describe how your experience with that skill is unique.

38. Argument/Body • Many people may have communication skills, but what have you done or accomplished? • Be specific and match this information to your resume

39. Argument/Body • Many people may have communication skills, but what have you done or accomplished? • Be specific and match this information to your resume

40. Argument/Body • Here are some ideas: • Special projects • Explain course work that gives you a type of professional experience. • Awards • Show that others have recognized the high quality of your work. • Include only those awards that relate to the position you desire.

41. Argument/Body • Accomplishments • Demonstrate how you improved efficiency/productivity at work or school. • Include what you did at school that proves your skills. • Explain how you set a goal and reached it.

42. Argument/body • Highlight skills and benefits to the company • Emphasize interest in the company • Provide concrete evidence • Begin paragraphs with topic sentences

43. Argument/Body “As the president of the student government, I acted as a bridge between students and teachers. I also coordinated large scale events and lectures and raised $5,000 for our organization. My experience with event planning and government would make me a great asset to your NGO in Beijing.”

44. Sections • Header • Introduction • Argument • Closing

45. Closing • A closing sums up your qualifications and reveals what you plan to do after your readers have receive your application packet (resume, cover letter, etc.)

46. Closing • Here are some suggestions of ways to do this: • Close with a strong reminder of why you are a good match for the job position and the organization. • Request an interview in some way.

47. Closing • Provide contact information. • Thank them! • Sign your name and print it underneath.

48. Closing • Saying you will contact the potential employer will cause them to read your application materials with more interest. • You have a better chance that your materials will not be filed away.

49. Closing • By following up, you can achieve three goals: • Inform the employers that you are interested. • Prove that you can take action • Discover where you are in the hiring process.

50. Closing “I am eager to speak with you and discuss my possible contribution to Country Press, as I feel my experiences in communication and customer service will be an asset to the company. I will be in touch with you within a week, and if you need to reach me, you can call 423-512-1143, or email me at anyone@anywhere.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.”