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Cover Letters

Cover Letters. Let’s Get That Interview!. Davis High School Financial Literacy Course. What is a Cover Letter?. A cover letter is a 3 to 4 paragraph business communication that usually accompanies a job applicant's resume.

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Cover Letters

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  1. Cover Letters • Let’s Get That Interview! Davis High School Financial Literacy Course

  2. What is a Cover Letter? • A cover letter is a 3 to 4 paragraph business communication that usually accompanies a job applicant's resume. • The purpose of the cover letter is to interest the employer enough to want to get to know the applicant better through an interview.

  3. Showings of a Cover Letter • A well-written letter shows: • Written Communication Skills • Organization • Professionalism

  4. Reasons for a Cover Letter • Job applicant has the opportunity to: • Persuade an employer they are the most qualified for the job • Demonstrate any research that has been done about the company • Create a personal touch to the resume

  5. Things to know about Cover Letters • Introduce you to employers • Arouse their interest • Persuade the potential employer that you are the person to interview. Always ask yourself the question: “Why am I the most qualified for this job?”

  6. Parts of a Cover Letter • Addresses • Introduction Paragraph • Body Paragraph • Closing Paragraph

  7. Hey Read About Me!Developing Your Resume Davis High School Financial Literacy Course

  8. A person may have spent thousands of dollars on education and training and all he/she now has is 20 seconds to sell themselves to a prospective employer.

  9. Resume • A Resume is a personal summary of one’s background, experience, and accomplishments • Goal – To interest employer enough to want to learn more

  10. Categories for a resume: • Heading • An Objective • Educational Background • Special Skills • Work Experience • Honors • Awards • Activities • Volunteer Work • References

  11. Heading • A Heading includes the name, address, phone number, and an email address • Required • List current and permanent address if applicable. • Phone number should have voice mail with a professional message.

  12. Objective • An objective clearly describes the position one would like to attain. • Should contain 3 characteristics: • The job type • The industry • The geographical area

  13. Educational Background • Educational background is the history of a person’s education, with the most recent educational experience listed first. • Required

  14. Educational Background • Include • Degree (received or sought) • Institution attended, date of graduation or an expected date (month and year only) • Concentrations • Special workshops or coursework related to job applying for • Grade point average – if above a 3.0

  15. Special Skills • Special Skills are skills related specifically to the desired job. • Skills include: • Knowledge of software, programs • Foreign Language • Leadership • Teamwork • ETC…

  16. Work Experience • Work Experience should describe work responsibilities at each job. • Most applicable – Fully describe • List jobs with most recent first • Position held • Name and location of organization • Dates of employment (month and year)

  17. Work Experience • Experience comes in many different forms: • Part-time • Seasonal jobs • Internships

  18. Honors, Awards, Activities, and Volunteer Work • Honors, Awards, Activities, and Volunteer Work may also be mentioned particularly if the activities relate to the position sought. • Leadership roles should be listed

  19. References • References should be available as an attachment, but not listed on the actual resume. • 3 – 5 references • Name • Job Title • Address • Phone Number • Email • GET PERMISSION FIRST!!!

  20. Most important, all items listed on a resume should be factual. Be HONEST, do not stretch the truth!

  21. Action Words • Action words are used to emphasize responsibilities related to work experiences. Action words bring life to tasks performed and communicate those skills to a potential employer • Participated • Generated • Implemented • Organized • Utilized

  22. Action Statements • Action Statements are short statements that get to the point and describe a task or work experience. • Action statements should include numbers or quantities of the item described.

  23. DON’T DO IT!!! Things NOT To Put In A Resume

  24. Do NOT Include • Weight • Height • Social Security Number • Birth Date • Marital Status • Photographs • Salary Histories • Reasons for Leaving Past Job • Avoid using “I” statements • Never list the date it was created

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