Writing Cover Letters for Job Applications

1. VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.ENGLISH/OKSTATE.EDU/WRITING OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY WRITING CENTER Writing Cover Letters for Job Applications NOTE: There is a �Writing Cover Letters� handout to accompany this presentation. There is also a �Writing Cover Letters-Sample� in both black and white and color that you can take to put on an ELMO if you wish. Describe the Writing Center�s various locations. Hand out brochures.NOTE: There is a �Writing Cover Letters� handout to accompany this presentation. There is also a �Writing Cover Letters-Sample� in both black and white and color that you can take to put on an ELMO if you wish. Describe the Writing Center�s various locations. Hand out brochures.

2. Writing Center Locations Morrill Hall 104 Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. � 5:30 p.m 744-6671 The Outpost @ Edmon Low Library Room 102M Sunday-Thursday, 7:00 p.m. � 10:00 p.m. Drop-in location The Writing Studio @ the Cunningham Architecture Library Room 160C Tuesday � Thursday, 10:00 a.m. � 2:00 p.m. Monday � Thursday, 7:00 p.m. � 9:00 p.m. Drop-in location 2

3. What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter? Introduces you AND your resume to an employer Explains why you would like to work there Details why you are a good match for the company Demonstrates your abilities and helps to establish your credibility Draws your readers� attention to specific qualifications Provides a sample of your written communication skills You should tailor your cover letter to Show specific needs of employers and how you meet them Persuade that your career goals align with the organization�s goals (mission statement) and that your skills align with the position requirements An effective cover letter Highlights the qualifications related to the position as laid out in the job criteria Proves that you align well with the organization and that you meet the job requirements Provides contact information and a plan for future contactYou should tailor your cover letter to Show specific needs of employers and how you meet them Persuade that your career goals align with the organization�s goals (mission statement) and that your skills align with the position requirements An effective cover letter Highlights the qualifications related to the position as laid out in the job criteria Proves that you align well with the organization and that you meet the job requirements Provides contact information and a plan for future contact

4. Learning about the Job Learn as much as you can about the specific job and the audience (employers) that will be reading your letter. Read the Job Ad carefully Look for a company website Talk to friends/family who work for that company Find someone with �inside information� on the industry or that particular company Contact OSU�s Career Center Your ability to learn the needs of your readers will help you write a cover letter effectively. You should learn as much as you can about your audience (your potential employer) before writing your cover letter. Your goal is to learn about the organization, its history, its goals, and its needs. You should also learn what kind of employee the organization needs and what an employee will be expected to do. Most job advertisements are divided into two sections, a qualifications section, and an explanation of what duties the hired candidate will perform. Website � Corporate/organization websites provide a good idea of what a company/organization values. Look for words that describe the company and its employees. Words repeated throughout the website reveal particularly important values. Some organization websites may even have a �Mission Statement� you can read to learn about what they want to achieve. Use the language on the website and in the missions statement to help guide your language in your cover letter. Insider information is important. Insiders potentially include A professor The company itself An expert in your field A person who holds the position you want at a different company Your ability to learn the needs of your readers will help you write a cover letter effectively. You should learn as much as you can about your audience (your potential employer) before writing your cover letter. Your goal is to learn about the organization, its history, its goals, and its needs. You should also learn what kind of employee the organization needs and what an employee will be expected to do. Most job advertisements are divided into two sections, a qualifications section, and an explanation of what duties the hired candidate will perform. Website � Corporate/organization websites provide a good idea of what a company/organization values. Look for words that describe the company and its employees. Words repeated throughout the website reveal particularly important values. Some organization websites may even have a �Mission Statement� you can read to learn about what they want to achieve. Use the language on the website and in the missions statement to help guide your language in your cover letter. Insider information is important. Insiders potentially include A professor The company itself An expert in your field A person who holds the position you want at a different company

5. Sample Websites Pinkberry Corporation�s Mission Statement: Taste the Pinkberry Difference. We believe in serving only the best. That�s why we make Pinkberry with high quality nonfat milk and yogurt, not from cows treated with rBST hormones. Our yogurt is certified by the National Yogurt Association to carry the Live & Active cultures seal; in fact, each Pinkberry has over 10 million live and active cultures per gram that can help your digestion and immunity. We want you to top your yogurt with only the best, so our fruit is always cut fresh daily at each store, and is never frozen, canned, or sitting in water. Now that�s true Swirly Goodness�. Pinkberry�s Goodness Guarantee. If your masterpiece does not inspire chilly bliss, let us swirl you a new one. The store is designed to kindle the senses and heighten the Pinkberry experience. This is wording copied from Pinkberry.com. Their mission statement shows that they are Concerned about customer health Want to inspire a sense of fun Are casual rather than formal Are as concerned about their customer�s happiness with their experience at Pinkberry as well as with the quality of their product.This is wording copied from Pinkberry.com. Their mission statement shows that they are Concerned about customer health Want to inspire a sense of fun Are casual rather than formal Are as concerned about their customer�s happiness with their experience at Pinkberry as well as with the quality of their product.

6. Sample Websites, Continued Tyson Foods Core Values: We are a company of people engaged in the production of food, seeking to pursue truth and integrity, and committed to creating value for our shareholders, our customers, and our people in the process. Who we are: We strive to be a company of diverse people working together to produce food. We strive to be honorable people. We strive to be a faith-friendly company. What we do: We feed our families, the nation, and the world with trusted food products. We serve as stewards of the animals, land, and environment entrusted to us. We strive to provide a safe work environment for our Team Members. How we do it: We strive to earn consistent and satisfactory profits for our shareholders and to invest in our people, products, and processes. We strive to operate with integrity and trust in all we do. We strive to honor God and be respectful of each other, our customers, and other stakeholders. These core values show that Tyson is A publicly traded company and therefore very concerned about profits Embrace faith within their organization Are family-friendly Are more formal and traditional than PinkberryThese core values show that Tyson is A publicly traded company and therefore very concerned about profits Embrace faith within their organization Are family-friendly Are more formal and traditional than Pinkberry

7. What to Include in Your Letter Identify key words from the employer�s website or job advertisement. Example: �Looking for a highly motivated, customer oriented individual to work full-time at the customer service desk.� What are the key words for the type of employee they want? Answer: �highly motivated,� and �customer oriented.� What does �highly motivated� mean in terms of employee qualifications or traits? Probably that they can work without close supervision. They can be trusted to be self-motivated. What does �customer oriented� mean in terms of employee qualifications or traits? Probably that they put themselves in customer�s shoes, even when they are tired or extra busy.Answer: �highly motivated,� and �customer oriented.� What does �highly motivated� mean in terms of employee qualifications or traits? Probably that they can work without close supervision. They can be trusted to be self-motivated. What does �customer oriented� mean in terms of employee qualifications or traits? Probably that they put themselves in customer�s shoes, even when they are tired or extra busy.

8. Make a Chart Make a chart to help you know what to write about in a cover letter. On the left side of the column, list the key words from the job advertisement (or website). On the right, list examples that support your claim that you have these qualifications. There is a handout to go with this presentation. The handout has a sample chart � something for students to keep.There is a handout to go with this presentation. The handout has a sample chart � something for students to keep.

9. Example Chart: Key Words

10. Deciding Which Qualifications to Include Try to answer the question, �How can I help the organization?� For example, if you have been successful working with people, you can show you have interpersonal skills. Develop another chart with your qualities on the left and specific examples on the right. If you�ve identified a company as one that seems to meet YOUR career goals, switch from YOUR goals to the COMPANY�S goals as you begin to put together your letter.If you�ve identified a company as one that seems to meet YOUR career goals, switch from YOUR goals to the COMPANY�S goals as you begin to put together your letter.

11. Example Chart: Qualifications Remember: It�s important to provide specific examples for the qualifications you say you have. Anyone can say they have �leadership skills,� but potential employers want to see �proof.�Remember: It�s important to provide specific examples for the qualifications you say you have. Anyone can say they have �leadership skills,� but potential employers want to see �proof.�

12. The Letter: Formatting Single Space Space between each paragraph 3 spaces between your closing (like �Sincerely�) and your typed name Space between your heading (contact information) and greeting (�Dear Mr. Roberts�) Left-align your paragraphs One-inch margins all around Sign your name in ink between your closing and typed name

13. Formatting, Continued Try to find a specific person to address your letter to (the person who is in charge of interviewing and hiring). If you don�t know who it is, call the company to ask for more information. If you can�t find the name, address your letter to �Hiring Professionals.�

14. The Letter: Organization The Introduction �Dear�.� Who you are and why you are writing How you learned about the position and why you are interested in it If you have met the reader before (like at a career fair), refer to that meeting Briefly state why your values and goals align with the organization�s and how you will help them (refer to the first chart you created)

15. Organization, Continued The Argument Show your reader you possess the most important skills s/he is looking for (you�re a good match for the organization�s mission/goals and job requirements) Convince your reader that the company will benefit from hiring you (how you will help the company) Include in each paragraph a strong reason why your employer should hire you and how the company will benefit from your work Maintain an upbeat/personable tone Avoid explaining your entire resume but use your resume as a source of data to support your argument (the two documents should work together) The �argument� portion of your letter allows you to persuade your reader why you are a good fit for the company and the job. Carefully choose what to include in your argument. You want your argument to be as powerful as possible, but it shouldn�t cloud your main points by including excessive or irrelevant details about your past. In addition, use your resume (and refer to it) as the source of �data� you will use and expand on in your cover letter.The �argument� portion of your letter allows you to persuade your reader why you are a good fit for the company and the job. Carefully choose what to include in your argument. You want your argument to be as powerful as possible, but it shouldn�t cloud your main points by including excessive or irrelevant details about your past. In addition, use your resume (and refer to it) as the source of �data� you will use and expand on in your cover letter.

16. Organization, Continued The Closing Restate why you align with the organization�s mission/goals Restate why your skills match the position requirements and how your experience will help the organization Inform your readers when you will contact them Include your phone number and email address Thank your readers for their consideration

17. Credits This presentation was inspired by and drawn from the following source: Holt, Jena, Clint Blume, and Allen Brizee. �Cover Letter Workshop.� The Owl at Purdue University. owl.english.purdue.edu. November 10, 2010. Web.

18. 104 MORRILL HALL PHONE: 405-744-6671 EMAIL: WRITINGCENTER@OKSTATE.EDU ONLINE APPOINTMENTS: WWW.RICH15.COM/OSU/SCHEDULE/ Remember, you can always visit us at the Writing Center! 18