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Cover Letters

Cover Letters. February 12, 2014. Overview. 4 main purposes: Introduction to you and your skills, as well as how those skills can contribute to the organization Explains which job you’re interested in and why

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Cover Letters

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  1. Cover Letters February 12, 2014

  2. Overview 4 main purposes: • Introduction to you and your skills, as well as how those skills can contribute to the organization • Explains which job you’re interested in and why • Convinces the reader you’re qualified by going into more detail about experiences highlighted in your résumé • Provides opportunity to request interview??

  3. The Cover letter reading • You read two very different readings about cover letters. We’re going to align ourselves fairly closely with the first more traditional one that spells out what should be in each paragraph. • BUT the “teaser ad” reading could also inform your cover letter. What did you learn from that reading that might benefit your approach?

  4. Opening Paragraph What belongs in the first paragraph? • How you heard about the opening • Contacts who have referred you • The job you’re applying to • Why you’re interested in the job • Relate this to something you know about the company/organization!

  5. Body Paragraphs Should be 1-2 body paragraphs What to say? • Examples of why you’re qualified for the job • Stay on topic – for example, one paragraph can focus on work experience and one on education • Give more detail than can be provided on a resume • Be as SPECIFIC as possible. “I have strong collaborative skills” is not specific enough! • Look at example pg. 598 from “Letter of Application” PDF • At the same time, keep the letter short.

  6. Closing Paragraph • What do you write? • Thank the reader • Provide contact information for follow-up (“If you have any questions…”) • Ask for an interview depending on the situation.

  7. Showing you “get” the company culture • Hiring managers want to know: What can you do for us, and how will you fit in if hired? • So, get to know the company. Do research on the website, blog, facebook. This is going to give you hints as to how you want to appeal to them. Use their voice, tone, personality. • Don’t ever re-use your cover letter. • Mention specific examples of why you’re a good fit for THIS company. Make sure every paragraph relates back to why your skills suit the job in question. • Example: I was also in charge of assessing these employees’ performance and providing them with feedback on their work, which would inform my approach to supervising administrative/technical staff at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

  8. Activity • Get into pairs. • I’ll hand you a document with sample cover letters written for the same job ad you already looked at (Thermo Fischer). • Read these cover letters with your partner and then take notes. • Which cover letter has the most effective intro? Conclusion? • Which cover letter does the best job getting specific about the individual’s experience? • Which does the best demonstrating knowledge of the company? • Point out some problems with some of the cover letters. How could they be improved? • Then, we’ll discuss as a class.

  9. Video cover letters?! • Check out this video cover letter, and tell me what you think Alison does well and what she could work on: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSN08pOrmsE • If time: example sample cover letters from “letter of application” reading.

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