Cover letters and Goodwill Client Memo

1. Cover letters and Goodwill Client Memo TECM 5195 Dr. Chris Lam

2. Purpose of cover letters • Introduce and supplement your resume • Show you can write/form coherent thoughts • Request an interview • Won’t get you a job • May exclude you from a job

3. Cover letter and Resumeas a package • Use these documents to “brand” yourself • Design and organization of the documents will say a lot about organizational skills • Design both documents consistently • Use the same heading, margins, fonts, etc.

4. How HR Reads Cover letters • Quickly (between 1-2 minutes) • Does this candidate meet the requirements in the job ad? • Skim skills and experience and determine how they match up with the job requirements

5. Format of cover letter • Short (1 page) • 3-4 paragraphs • Introduction • Short summary of career (optional) • Accomplishments (job specific) • Closing

6. Introductions • Opening salutation – Address individual with their title and last nameformally • Dear Ms. Jones • Dear Human Resources Director • Job your applying for (exact job title) and where you found the job • Establish goodwill/rapport • Show them you’ve done research • Discuss what impresses you about the organization

7. Career Summary • Only if candidate has a career to summarize • Only if explanation is necessary • Connect prior career experience to the job requirements

8. Accomplishments • Pay attention to the job requirements • First skill/requirement is usually the most important • Tailor your accomplishments to job requirements • Show don’t tell • Don’t say: I have four years of experience in IT. • Instead say: For the past four years, I have managed a small workgroup, including 20 Windows and 20 Linux machines. • Quantify any and all accomplishments

9. Closing • Include “call to action” statement • Ask for the interview explicitly • Include multiple contact avenues • Phone number and e-mail address • Close with goodwill • “Thank you for your consideration” • Include signature and enclosures • Enclosures: Resume and writing sample

10. Summary of Cover Letter • Keep it concise • Tailor all content to the job requirements • Establish goodwill and personalize the letter for each particular job • Show don’t tell

11. Purpose of Goodwill Client Memo • Establish goodwill/rapport • Manage future work and relationship • Clarify logistical information to the writer • Describe scope and edits • Call to action

12. General Conventions andFormat • Keep it concise (1 page) • Introduction • Logistical information • Scope and edits • Call to action

13. Introduction • Should be brief (1-3 sentences) • Establish goodwill immediately • Provide a concise overview of edits/scope statement

14. Logistical Information • Technical logistics – original and edited file name, location, etc. • Explain briefly what will be found in individual files

15. Edits • Present edits logically • Chronological • Topical • Discuss edits comprehensively, but at a general level • Use politeness throughout • General payoff statements • Compliments

16. Closing • Call to action • Payment next steps • Final recommendations • Close with goodwill statement

17. General tips for goodwillmemo • Use visual design • Be thoughtful about your organization • Be polite! • Be thorough