Cover Letters

1. Cover Letters

2. Cover Letters • To potential employers when you send your resume for consideration. • Letters to network contacts and the referrals that arise from those contacts. • Thank you letters as follow up to networking meetings and interviews • Email letters that encompass all of the above purposes but often call for a more direct and concise writing style.

3. Format (summary) • Beginning: 1 paragraph. Grab attention and gain interest. • Why you are writing. • Position or type of work you are interested in. • How you heard about the position./company. • Middle: 1-3 paragraphs • What you are currently doing. • Why you suitable and why you are interested • Summarize your strongest qualifications relevant to the position or potential positions within the company. • Talk about your merits: strengths, education, experience, expertise, achievements, personal attributes demonstrated. • Address any concerns they may have. • Show you’ve done your research too. Indicate a connection between you and the employer. • End: 1 paragraph. Get them to take action. • Request an interview • Thank them for their time.

4. What you want to do • Grab their Attention: in less than 60 seconds • Generate Interest • Create Desire • Call for Action

5. Format (beginning) • Attention! Why you are contacting them. State the position you are interested in. Paragraph 1: • Unsolicited – responding to ad: “I am writing in response to the position of ___ listed in the Daily Journal on September 5, 2013.” • Unsolicited – sent out of the blue: “I am extremely interested in exploring ____ positions at ____ Company and am sending along a copy of my resume in the hope of meeting with you.” • Solicited: (after speaking with someone) “As discussed with ___, I am sending you my resume with respect to the position of ____.”

6. Format (beginning) • Try to use interesting language to capture their attention and make the reader want to know more about you. Example: “Dear Mr. Smith: If you are looking for a hard-working, dedicated, literate assistant manager, please consider me!”

7. Format (middle) • Because... Paragraph for explain what you are currently doing: • Unsolicited – responding to ad: “I am currently working as a __ at the __ Company, where I am responsible for [list no more than three things you do]. Though I enjoy the work that I am doing, I feel it is time to start exploring my options. The opportunity described at your company is of great interest to me and is something I would love to be considered for.”

8. Format (middle) • Solicited: “I am currently working as a ___ at the ___ Company, where I am responsible for [list no more than three things you do]. ___ thought that the position of ___ sounded like something I might be interested in, and he is absolutely right. I would love to explore how I might take my skills and contribute to ___’s success.” • Unsolicited – sent out of the blue: “I am currently working as a ___ at the ___Company, where I am responsible for [list no more than three things you do]. I am very excited about the work that ___ [company you’re applying to] is doing and would love to share with you how I can contribute to its success.”

9. Format (middle) • Should answer question of “why should we hire you?” • Can use one or two paragraphs or three or four bullet points. • Use information from your resume but do not copy word for word • Or write a summary statement: talk about education, achievements, personal attributes demonstrated at work/volunteer, interest (passion) in the job and strengths.

10. Format (middle) Example: “My education, work history, and personal activities all point to a successful career in retail management – specifically in the book business. I have recently completed my Bachelor of Business Administration (concentration in Marketing) from Hofstra University, and for five years I have worked part-time as a retail sales associate. This experience led to my decision to pursue a career in retail management. I understand retail sales concepts, merchandising, and general business management. Most of all, I am a true book lover and would be able to communicate my knowledge and enthusiasm to your customers.”

11. Format (middle) “I have an economics background from UBC and a quantitative analysis approach to market fluctuations. This combination has enabled me consistently to pick the new technology flotations that are the backbone of the growth-oriented mutual fund.” “I notice from your advertisement that audio- and video-training experience would be a plus. In addition to the qualifications stated in my enclosed resume, I have over five years of experience writing and producing sales and management training materials in both these media.”

12. Formatting (end) • Close: neatly wrap up your letter with a polite yet assertive closing that asks for an interview. Example: “Thank you for your consideration. I am enthusiastic about working at Bethpage Books and will call within a few days to see if we can schedule an appointment to meet. Sincerely, John Smith”

13. Formatting (end) “It would be a pleasure to give you more information about my qualifications and experience...” “I look forward to discussing our mutual interests further” “While I prefer not to use my employer’s time taking personal calls at work, with discretion I can be reached at ____...” “I will be in your area around the 20th, and will call you prior to that date. I would like to arrange...” “I hope to speak with you further and will call the week of ____ to follow up.” “The chance to meet with you would be a privilege and a pleasure, so to this end I shall call you on ____.” “I look forward to speaking with you further and will call in the next few days to see when our schedules will permit a face-to-face meeting.” “May I suggest a personal meeting where you can have the opportunity to examine the person behind the resume.”

14. Formatting (end) “My credentials and achievements are a matter of record that I hope you will examine in depth when we meet...” “I look forward to examining any of the ways you feel my background and skills would benefit (name of organization). I look forward to hearing from you.” “Resumes help you sort out the probables from the possibles, but they are no way to judge the caliber of an individual. I would like to meet you and demonstrate that I have the personality that makes for a successful _____.” “I expect to be in your area on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week and wonder which day would be best for you. I will call to determine.” (Because many employed people are concerned about their resumes going astray, you may wish to add: “in the meantime, I would appreciate your treating my application as confidential, since I am currently employed.”)

15. Formatting (end) “With my training and hands-on experience, I know I can contribute to ____, and what to talk to you about it in person. When may we meet?” “After reading my resume, you will know something about my background. Yet, you will still need to determine whether I am the one to help you with any current problems or challenges. I would like an interview to discuss my ability to contribute.” “You can reach me at ____ to arrange an interview. I know that your time investment in meeting with me will be repaid amply. “Thank you for your time and consideration; I hope to hear from you shortly.” “Thank you very much for taking the time to consider my resume. I will call you in a week to see if we can set up a time to meet in person to discuss the position.”

16. Formatting (end) “May I call you for an interview in the next few days?” “A brief phone call will establish whether or not we have mutual interest. Recognizing the demands of your schedule, I will make that call within the week. “ • Try saying: “I’ll call you on Friday if we don’t speak before” • Or a date and time: “I’ll call you on a Friday morning at 10 A.M. If we don’t speak before.” • The logic is that your intent is serious, you are organized, and that you plan your time effectively.

17. Tips • Generate Interest: address the letter to someone by name and quickly tell them what you have to offer. • The first sentence should grab their attention. • Show you’ve done your research: put in middle paragraph somewhere. Example: “I came across the enclosed article in Newsweek magazine and thought it might interest you. It encouraged me to do a little research on your company. I am now convinced of two things: you are the kind of people I want to be associated with, and I have the kind of qualifications you can use.”

18. Tips “I have been following the performance of your fund in Mutual Funds Newsletter. The record over the last three years shows strong portfolio management. With my experience working for one of your competitors, I know I could make significant contributions...” “Recently I have been researching the local ____ industry. My search has been for companies that are respected in the field and that provide ongoing training programs. The name ____ keeps coming up as a top company.”

19. Tips Phrases: probably to be used in the beginning somewhere. “I am writing because...” “My reason for contacting you...” “If you are seeking a ____, you will be interested to know...” “I would like to talk to you about your personnel needs and how I am able to contribute to your department’s goals.” “If you have an opening for someone in this area, you will see that my resume demonstrates a person of unusual dedication, efficiency and drive.”

20. Tips Statements that can generate interest: probably to be used mostly in the middle paragraph. “With the scarcity of qualified and motivated (your desired job title) that exists today, I feel sure that it would be valuable for us to talk.” “Within the next few weeks I will be moving from New York to _____. Having researched the companies in my field in my new home town, I know that you are the people I want to talk to...” “the state of the art in ____ changes so rapidly that it is tough for most professionals to keep up. I am the exception. I am eager to bring my experience to bear for your company”

21. Tips • Customize each letter. Don’t just copy the ones you find on the internet. • Make a top ten list of reasons they should hire you and put it in your cover letter. • Make a list of accomplishments and include it in your cover letter too. • Be sure sure to tell them what you want them to do for you (if it’s a letter to contacts/referrals). • Find out as much as you can about the person, company, business etc before you write the letter so you can make a powerful letter. • You need to explain your accomplishments and articulate how those skills are easily transferrable to the industry.

22. Tips • Let them know how much you want the job and how interested you are in the company/opportunity. • Have an idea of what’s important to them (convey it). • Explain how you can benefit the company. • Just use normal everyday language. • Try to be creative. • Be a bit witty. • Ideally address to a specific individual. • Tell them why they’re so great and how you fit into that. • It’s about what’s in it for THEM. Same with the resume. • So don’t say “I, I, I, me, me, me”. Say more “you” and “your”.

23. Tips UNIQUE STATEMENTS: • Say something unique like: “the truth is I have no unbelievably special skills or genius eccentricities, but I do have a near perfect GPA and will work hard for you” • “in all honesty, I just want to be around professionals in the industry and gain as much knowledge as I can”

24. Thank You Letter Tips • Thank your networking contacts for sharing time, advice or contact names with you. • should also use if after an interview (see Follow Up PowerPoint • A carefully constructed, well-timed, hand written thank-you note could be the missing puzzle piece to land you the job you really want. • Can ask a question(s) in the letter as well. • Mail it or drop it off.

25. Emailing Cover Letter Tips • Optional: click in message box, paste cover letter and paste resume below cover letter so it’s all together. And attach resume in Word format. • In the Subject line: put job applying for • PR Assoc (Job #A-924) – BA Northwestern, NBC internship, strong writing skills • Med Rsrch Co-op – UCLA Bio major, hosp, exp., great work ethic • App Developer – Visual Basic, C ++, database – recent training – team player • MSW – strong assessment & counseling skills – program mgmt exp