Effective Cover Letters - A Guide for Job Seekers

1. ELL3044 Practical Business English 실용 비즈니스 영어 Cover Letters

2. Warmup Questions • What is a cover letter? Have you ever written a cover letter? What company / position was it for? 2. What’s the difference between a cover letter and a resume (and an application)? 3. Why should you write a cover letter? Vocabulary - Review the underlined vocabulary with your group. What do these words mean?

3. Vocabulary • to be assertive – to be confident and bold without being aggressive or passive • an applicant / a candidate – a person who applies for a position / a person who has a possibility to be chosen for a position • impersonal – showing no emotion • to highlight – to emphasize, to stress

4. Vocabulary • to enclose / a paper is enclosed – to contain • to be enclosed –to contain; especially in an envelope or a letter • regarding–what is the letter about? what is the letter concerning? what is the letter’s theme? • vacancy – an opening (availability)

5. What is a Cover Letter? A cover letter is a one-page business letterthat you send to an employer with your resume. A cover letter acts as a bridge between your resume and the job advertisement. It allows you to connect your skills to what the job advertisement is looking for. A good cover letter not only explains which job you are applying for and why you think you would be a good applicant, but also who you are as an individual (strengths for this job). It isimportant because it gives you the opportunity to talk more in depth about some of the skills and experienceson your resumethat are applicable to the job you are applying for.

6. a cover letter *Why is a high TOEIC score useful? *Why was your volunteer experience important? *What does your computer license help you to do? *You’ve stayed at your last job for 10 years, what does that tell your future employer about your personality?

7. Difference between a cover letter and a resume andan application • highlight specific skills you have for that job • if it is done correctly your resume will look much better • a cover letter allows you to also highlight your personalitywhich matches the position – a resume and an application do not have sections where applicants can highlight their personality

8. Quiz 1. How long should cover letters be? a page (3/4 paragraphs) 2. What document do you send along with a cover letter? your resume (CV) 3. Can I use the same cover letter for different jobs? No! Make a new and unique cover letter for each job. You have to personalize your cover letter for each job you apply to. 4. Can’t I just send my resume? No! Skipping a cover letter could show the employer you are lazy. A cover letter can show you that you are a good match (skills matching) for that particular job. You can grab the employer’s attention.

9. 1. Who is she? address? phone? email? 2.How is her address written? 3. What position is she applying for? Where is the job? 4. After her salutation (Dear…), what comes next? Does she use a comma, or a colon : ? 5. Can I use “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam” 6. What does “RE:” mean? 7. What does “ENC:” mean? 8. Did she indent the paragraphs? 9. Difference between paragraph 2/3? 10. What does the last paragraph contain? 11. Why does she type her name under her signature?

10. Label the cover letter. Include these parts… today’s date applicant’s address employer’s address introductory statement introduction body conclusion concluding statement signature name enclosed: resume,… what the letter is regarding

11. Basics (beginning) • Date(North American vs European) • Your name, your title / phone & email / address • Address(small to big) • The employer’s contact info (name, person’s title, company, address – small to big) • If you know the person you could write… Dear Mr. Kim:or Dear Ms. Lee, (title): • If you don’t know the person you could write… To Whom It May Concern: ORDear Sir / Madam: Dear Hiring Manager: Dear Head of Customer Service:

12. Introduction • What is your name? • What position are you applying for? • Did someone recommend you? • Where did you find the job advertisement? • Always be positive I have enjoyed my 14 years of teaching… • Don’t make introductions too long!!!

13. Body 2nd paragraph: Your experience & qualifications 3rd paragraph: Your personality & skills • Don’t repeat your resume! ex. Why is a high TOEIC score good? ex. What can you do with your computer license? ex. You worked at your old job for a long, long time…what does that tell me about you?

14. Idea • Make sure to organize your thinking. • Don’t jump from one idea to another idea. • Your personality or skills should be suited to the job (an accountant – organized; a salesperson – outgoing)

15. Conclusion • Interest …I am very interested in working with you… • Contact info again – email & phone • Please contact me …Feel free to contact me if you have any questions… …don’t hesitate to contact me… • Be thankful …Thank you very much for your time…

16. Idea • Instead of these… Maybe, if you have time we will talk soon… I thinkI will contact you… I really really want to hear from you… If it’s okay I will call you… • Be more assertive I look forward to hearing from you… I will contact you next week… I will call you…

17. Basics (ending) • Concluding statement Sincerely, (Best) Regards, Yours truly, Truly sincerely, • Signature • Typed name • Enclosed: ResumeEnc: Resume

18. More tips: • Spelling / grammar mistakes • Consistency (Chonnam, Gwangju, your name) • Formatting(No indents, same size/font), • Concise (time is money) • Research (who? what? why?) • Personalize – different cover letters for different jobs • Positive and Assertive • Don’t repeat your resume • Sell yourself

19. Cover Letter Critique • What is wrong with the cover letter on page 5? • Try to find 5 mistakes (with your group)

20. Cover Letter Mistakes • impersonal (Dear Hiring Manager) • no position stated in introduction • informal: Hello! How are you? • inconsistent – JeonnamvsChonnam • avoid confident language I think…Maybe… I wish to work at your company • not interested in the company I found your advertisement in the newspaper • random indenting, formatting • informal smiley faces at the bottom • unusual reasons I am 24 so I think I will fit in your company.

21. Cover Letter Mistakes • talking about their resume too much I studied in marketing in…. I worked here for… My qualifications are detailed in my resume… • not highlighting their skills • using CNU • using friends as references My friends say I am organized… • no contact information • informal conclusion Goodbye!

22. Cover Letter Assignment • Write one cover letter in response to one job shown • Don’t forget to include all parts of the cover letter • Try to write it honestly, as if you were applying to a real job – however, if you wish to lie, I will not check your qualifications

23. Cover Letter Assignment • Due: Oct 21/22 ~ in class • Format: Single spacing, 11~12 point, legible font, no indenting, adjust margins • Length: One page (3-4 paragraphs) • Score: 10% • Don’t forget to spell check. Ask a friend (or writing lab) to check your spelling and grammar. • Consistent formatting • Watch out for plagiarism!!! • Don’t copy my example with your information!!! • Any plagiarism will result in a score of 0!!! • Use the jobs provided on the handout!!!