Transcript THE COVER LETTER

THE COVER LETTER
Jump Starting the Cover Letter
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Introduces you to the employer
Must be well written
Must get the readers attention
Convince the reader you should be
interviewed
Must accompany the resume
Tailor Your Letter
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Responding to an ad
Responding to a networking suggestion
Writing to an employer who has not
advertised a position
Tailoring Your Letter
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Demonstrate Your Knowledge of the
Organization
Do Not Overdo It
Emphasize How You Can Meet
Employer Needs
Remember--emphasize what you can
do for the employer
Addressing Your Letter
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Find Out Who Hires
– Call the target employer
– Go to the human resource dept.
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Find Out Who the Specific Department
Head Is
Never Address the Letter “To Whom It
May Concern”
Preparing Your Letter
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Use effective writing techniques
Address your letter appropriately
Emphasize what you can do for the
company
Don’t use overblown words
Use a friendly tone
Project confidence
Preparing Your Letter
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State your willingness to move if
applicable
Do not try to convince the employer that
you are a “wonder person”
Relate your qualifications to the needs
and interests of the prospective
employer
Sign the cover letter
What to Include in the Letter
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If you had any previous communication
with the person you’re writing to, refer to
it to help them remember you
If you have a contact who knows the
person, mention your contact’s name
Explain how you learned of the job
State why you are interested in the job
What to Include in the Letter
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State the position you are seeking
Demonstrate your knowledge of the
company
Emphasize your qualifications
State that your resume is enclosed
Request an interview
Include a courteous closing sentence
The Opening
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Introduce yourself
State your purpose
Explain how you know of the employer
is applicable
State why you are interested in the
organization
State the type of job you seek
“Miguel
Sandoval from the Health services
Bureau recommended I talk with you about
the possibility that you may need an
administrative support person with experience
in educational and community activities. Your
new five-year educational and community
plan is soundly developed, and I believe my
five years of experience as a volunteer in the
Valley Parent-Teacher organization and the
Diabetes Foundation would be useful in
helping you achieve success in the plan”
Your Sales Pitch
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Focus on your qualifications
Make this paragraph a result-oriented
summary of your assets
Do not duplicate information from your
resume
“Through
my volunteer work, I learned about
the disease prevention techniques your
department teaches to day-care workers. The
potential to combine helping families,
defeating disease, and doing work I enjoy is
irresistible. I have recently completed an
Associate of Applied Business degree,
majoring in Business and Office Education,
with an overall GPA of 3.5. As SecretaryTreasurer of the PTO, I used Excel and Word
to generate and merge letters and address
labels for 500 student families”
The Closing
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Make a bid for an interview
Make the close an active one for more
interviews
Make the close a passive close for
higher-quality interviews
Use both styles
“Enclosed
for your review is my resume. I
would appreciate meeting with you and
discussing the possibility of our working
together. I will call you on Thursday to
request an interview, or you may reach me at
555-9088. I would welcome the opportunity
to contribute to the community outreach
efforts of the Department of Disease
Prevention.”
Your Final Letter
Above all else remember
YOUR COVER LETTER MUST BE
PERFECT!!!!!!!!!
Follow-up
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Applicants who follow up with a phone
call after sending cover letters and
resumes are more successful. Why?
– Initiative and confidence
– Save the employer time
– May help speed the hiring process
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Call about 3 or 4 days after the
employer receives the letter