1 / 9

Cover letters and Interviews

Cover letters and Interviews. Information from busyteacher.com. How to write a cover letter. The cover letter (statement of purpose) is your employer’s first impression of you! It should be formally written and formatted. It should be personal and intriguing. . Greeting.

orli
Download Presentation

Cover letters and Interviews

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Cover letters and Interviews Information from busyteacher.com

  2. How to write a cover letter • The cover letter (statement of purpose) is your employer’s first impression of you! • It should be formally writtenand formatted. • It should be personal and intriguing.

  3. Greeting • Identify the person to whom the letter will be sent. • This means you may have to call the company and ask! • The letter should have visual appeal. • Typical U.S. format: • One-inch margins • 12-pt font • Concise • Generate interest by starting with your main selling point • Focus on the needs and desires of the company, not your own.

  4. Sell your skills • Explain how your skill/knowledge/experience fulfills their needs • This is based on the job description. • Every cover letter should be tailored for a specific position. • Highlight the most important aspects of your skills in a way that would generate interest with the employer. • Courses/educational background, job experience, pertinent knowledge, etc.

  5. Final section • Restate your interest. • Ask for an interview and the employer’s convenience. • This is very direct, but very typical in American culture in this process. • Again, the closing sentences should be unique to the position. • Include a closing (“Sincerely,”), a signature, and your name printed.

  6. Your Contact InformationName Address City, State, Zip Code Phone Number Email Address Date Employer Contact Information Name Title CompanyAddress City, State, Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name First ParagraphThe first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one. Middle Paragraph(s)The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it. Final Paragraph Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up. Complimentary Close Respectfully yours, Handwritten Signature (for a mailed letter) Typed Signature

  7. Dear Ms. LastName, I am interested in applying for the scientific research summer internship position that was listed through the Name University Career Services Office. I have had a great deal of laboratory experience in chemistry, biology, and geology, both indoors and in the field. In the lab, I have performed chemical reactions and I am currently using microscopes to observe many specimens. In environmental field studies, I have conducted outdoor labs to assess water chemistry. Last summer, I worked as conservation assistant at Clumber National Park. I am seeking to complement this outdoor experience with a research internship in order to acquire the background necessary for a future career in scientific research. I believe that I would be an asset to your program. This internship would provide me with the ideal opportunity to assist at your organization and to expand my research skills. I will call next week to see if you agree that my qualifications seem to be a match for the position. If so, I hope to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time. I look forward to speaking with you. Thank you for your consideration.

  8. Interview tips • Know the facts! • An interviewee should know what that company does, what their philosophy is, what the company is all about and what sets them apart from others who do the same kind of work.  • Anticipate questions • What kinds of things do you think the employer would want to know about his/her employee? • Be prepared, but do not memorize! It is obvious when someone seems to recite answers, which is very unappealing. • What questions would you ask the interviewer? • Avoid asking about money too soon.

  9. Commonly asked questions • Tell me about yourself. • What interests you about this opening? • What do you know about our company so far? • Why did you leave your last job? • Tell me about your experience at _____. • What experience do you have doing _____? • Tell me about your strengths. • Tell me about a time when …? • What salary range are you looking for? • What questions do you have for me? http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/01/24/the-10-most-common-job-interview-questions

More Related