careerservices.gwu.edu creating cover letters for international students anne v. scammon, managing...
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Creating Cover Letters for International Students
Anne V. Scammon, Managing Director
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Agenda• What would you like to learn?• Purpose of cover letter and
link to resume • Format and types of cover
letters • Tips for writing cover letters• Draft your cover letter• Review and improve with
partner• Questions
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What do you think?Evaluate Today’s Program
• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation
• Have you learned from the program today?– I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with
employers.– I have learned more about how to be a
professional.
• Comments & Ideas
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Upcoming Workshops:International Students: U.S. Job Search SuccessWednesday, January 27, 2pm-3:30pm, Marvin Center Room 307
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) & the Internship Search for International StudentsThursday, January 28, 11am-12:30pm,Marvin Center Room 309
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What is a cover letter? • A cover letter introduces your
resume. No resume should be sent without one.
• Individualized to each position you apply.
• Reflects your knowledge of the employer’s needs.
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– Draws attention to your resume
– Motivates interest/improves chance of interview offer
– Introduces you to the organization
– Demonstrates interest in company or specific vacancy
Your cover letter…
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Types of cover letters
Application Letter
Referral Cover Letter
Letter of Interest
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Types of cover letters • Application Letter –Written to apply for a specific job opening
• Referral Cover Letter–Mentions the name of the person who
referred you to the individual or job opening
• Letter of Interest– Prospecting letter, inquires about
possible job openings at a company
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Is it different than a resume?
RESUME
COVER LETTER
Facts about your experiences.
Demonstrates how your “facts” meet requirements
of job posting.
INTERVIEW!
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Creating a cover letter1.
Research &
Analyze
2.Outline
3. Draft &
Edit
4.Proofrea
d
5.Customiz
e template
Your next letter
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Before writing a draft• Highlight job description
requirements and qualifications and link to your top experiences
• Identify the type of cover letter • Outline content by
paragraph/edit/proofread• Plan to follow format
recommendations• Create a template for future use
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Your Street Address City, State, Zip Code Line space*Today’s Date * Mr./Ms. Name of Person, Title Name of Company/Organization Street Address of Company/Organization City, State, Zip Code * Dear Mr./Ms. ___________: (last name)* FIRSTPARAGRAPH/INTRODUCTION:* SECOND/THIRD PARAGRAPHS/BODY:*FINAL PARAGRAPH/CLOSING:* Sincerely, 2-4 lines spaces Your Name
Is there a standard format? • 1 page/< 4
paragraphs• Margins ~ .5 to 1 inch • Font: 10-12 pt.• Arial/Times Roman• Single space within
paragraph• Double space between
paragraphs/closing • Left justify paragraphs
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How do I organize the letter?
ConclusionAffirm
Interest/Fit Contact Info Thank You
Body ParagraphConnect 2-3 FACTS to job requirements and qualifications
IntroductionIntroduction of
self Why you are
writing Statement
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More about each paragraph
#1INTRO
• Identify position and requirements • State how you learned of the position/ or who referred • Statement: Single sentence about candidacy match
#2
BODY
• Present 2-3 most powerful experiences linked to employer’s requirements
• Include your relevant work and education.• Use action verbs and numbers to “tell you story”
#3CLOSE
• Re-state interest in position• Identify when you will follow up• “Thank you for your time and consideration”
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How/what do I write? >> FIRST PARAGRAPH/INTRODUCTION
– Identify why you are writing and position you seek– State name of referral or how you learned of position– Describe your interest in the position. Link to employer research, – State why you believe you are a qualified candidate
>> SECOND PARAGRAPH/BODY • Demonstrate the qualifications that match position description. • “Tell your story” by highlighting your skills, accomplishments, and
credentials in relation to the employer needs• Use specific examples to support your “fit” with organization
>> FINAL PARAGRAPH/CLOSING
– State your desire for an interview and when you will follow up– Thank the reader for their time and consideration
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Tips for writing cover letters . . .
• Address each letter to an individual by name• Be clear, concise and business-like. Avoid
slang.• Use action verbs/adjectives• Start sentence with “I” < 2xs per paragraph • Vary long sentences with short ones • Perfect grammar, spelling and punctuation • Do not repeat resume phrases
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Writing the “body” paragraph
#1 Research
• Highlight key words in job description
• Research the company
#2 Review• Identify
successes/ accomplishments in your resume that demonstrate the qualifications highlighted in the job description
#3 Select Choose 2-
3 important points for
your “body”
paragraph
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“Requirements and qualifications”
Job Qualification/Description Your Experiences /Accomplishments per Resume
Education Communications I graduated from GW with a B.A. in Communications and a GPA
Interest Democracy and Human RightsI wrote a 15-page research paper about human
trafficking for an International Human Rights course which won the GW Undergraduate Research Writing
Award
Experience Social MediaStrategically utilize and manage Twitter, Facebook, and targeted blogs as outreach coordinator for the
ESIA student organization
Experience Microsoft Office Suite I am proficient in the Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Experience Collaborate with OthersWorked on a collaborative team of 5 to develop and
implement communication outreach projects for GW student organization.
Experience Meet tight deadlinesManage multiple competing deadlines successfully,
including full academic load, student leadership duties, and intramural sports.
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Draft your cover letter template
• Review the grid to draft your cover letter
• Three paragraphs• Notes, then draft, then complete • Note active verbs• Share with a partner• Discuss together
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Today• What would you like to learn?• Purpose of cover letter and link to
resume • Format and types of cover letters • Tips for writing cover letters• Draft your cover letter• Review and improve with partner• Questions
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
What do you think?Evaluate Today’s Program
• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation
• Have you learned from the program today?– I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with
employers.– I have learned more about how to be a
professional.
• Comments & Ideas
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
GW's International Student Career Ambassador (ISCA) Program provides peer-to-peer career advising for all international students, including graduate/professional students across all degree programs.
Drop-in hours: Monday - Thursday:* 10:00 am -7:00 pm (*Except Tuesday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm), Friday:10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Science and Engineering Hall (22nd & H Streets Entrance) Resource Rooms #1230 and #1240
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• Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 505
• Careerservices.gwu.edu• [email protected]• 202.994.6495
Questions?
Connect & engage with the GW Center for Career Services