cover letters write a great letter & get invited for an interview
TRANSCRIPT
COVER LETTERS
Write a great letter & get invited for an INTERVIEW
There are 7 types of LETTERS
1. APPLICATION LETTER
–Enclosed with resume
–Idea to generate interest & be invited to interview
2. PROSPECTING LETTER
No job has been posted
“Prospecting” for job or job leads
Asking for assistance in job search
3. NETWORKING LETTER
Seeking to generate an INFORMATION interview (not a JOB interview)
Alumni Other departments where you work Conferences / Leadership / Expos
4. THANK YOU LETTER
One of the most important yet least used Good will & appreciation Mail within 2 days of the interview Best stationery Handwritten or typed on matching
letterhead & envelope PERSONAL letter to each participant
5. ACCEPTANCE LETTER
You ACCEPT the job offer Confirmation of terms & benefits Positive reinforcement of the employer’s
decision to HIRE YOU Enthusiasm Thanks
6. WITHDRAWL LETTER
Once you’ve verbally accepted the position, ethical obligation to inform other employers to WITHDRAW from their job pool
Don’t burn a bridge… positive rejection Courtesy & thanks for opportunity
7. REJECTION LETTER
You’ve been offered the job… Not enough money– Job doesn’t fit your needs/goals– More attractive offer somewhere else…
Thank employer for offer & consideration
Don’t burn bridges…future interest
3 GOALS OF A COVER LETTER
1) Explain the purpose of sending your resume
2) Get the employer interested in your resume
3) target the resume to a specific position or career field
PURPOSE OF A COVER LETTER
A standout cover letter gives your resume FOCUS & APPEAL
Briefly ALERTS employer to contents of your resume
PURPOSE OF COVER LETTER
Specifically & CONCISELY points out your most RELEVANT skills
Relates to NEEDS & QUALIFICATIONS of the position
PURPOSE OF COVER LETTER
Articulates your DESIRE to work for THIS company
Personalizes the RESUME
COVER LETTER TIPS
1. Design letters to be work-centered & employer-
centered NOT self-centered
COVER LETTER TIPS
2. Group similar items together in a paragraph
Organize paragraphs in logical relationships
School/internship Work…
COVER LETTER TIPS
NEVER delegate the responsibility for your job search to someone else.
YOU WRITE, CALL & FOLLOW UP
COVER LETTER TIPS
Always address your letters to a specific individual
Correct title Correct spelling Correct address
COVER LETTER TIPS
Keep your letters personal, warm and professional.
Remember, they are BUSINESS letters & FORMAL DOCUMENTS
COVER LETTER TIPS
Say what you mean directly without a lot of VERBAGE
Value of reader’s time
Brief & to the point
COVER LETTER PAPER
Use high quality stationery and matching envelopes
Resume paper (rag) Grey, beige, white,
cream, neutral shades
USE A COMPUTER
COVER LETTER TIPS
Keep the letter to ONE PAGE
Sign post resume, don’t rehash it
BLOCK FORMAT, single spaced vs indented double-spaced paragraphs
COVER LETTER TIPS
Reduce uncertainty & abstraction by including specific facts
EXACTLY WHEN are you available to start work
Graduation Date
COVER LETTER TIPS
Produce ERROR-FREE, clean copy
No mistakesSpellingGrammarPunctuation
COVER LETTER TIPS
Be HONESTBack up claims
with evidence or specific examples from school or work
COVER LETTER TIPS
TIME savvy Show
appreciation to employer for considering your application
Granting an interview
COVER LETTER TIPS
Tailor your letter for EACH situation
Generic, mass produced letters are unprofessional
COVER LETTER TIPS
Phone number/s Correct address
SIGN THE LETTER! Maryjo Cochran
COVER LETTER TIPS
Request ACTION I will be in Dallas
on D A T E Call NEXT WEEK
for an appt. Look forward to
meeting you WHEN
I’m the one you’re looking for….
Introduces your resume to potential employer
Focuses on your SPECIFIC INTEREST in their organization
Your SPECIFIC SKILLS/EXPERIENCE relevant to their organization
Creates positive image of YOU…invitation to interview…
HEADING
Student Name Joe Smith Student Address 611 E. 21st Street
Huntsville, TX 77340
Date February 24, 2004
Cover Letter Heading
Contact Name Dr. Chris White Contact Title Associate
Professor Company Name Sam Houston State Company Address PO Box 2207
» Sam Houston State University» Huntsville, TX 77341
Greetings & Salutations
Dear Dr. White: Dear Dr. White, Dear Mr. Jones, Dear Mrs. Smith, Dear Ms. Smith,
Greetings & Salutations
To Whom It May Concern:
Dear Sir or Madam:
1st Paragraph
Why are you writing? Position (s) you are interested in? How you found out about the position? When are you available?
1st Paragraph
Thank you for reviewing my resume for your position of GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER and WEEKEND NEWS ANCHOR.
The position announcement was published in the February 20th edition of the Victoria Ledger.
1st Paragraph
Thank you for reviewing my resume for the position of GENERAL SALES ASSISTANT at KBMT-TV. I noticed your job posting on the TABE web site
Dr. Cochran announced the job vacancy for a production assistant at Lucas Films in our February 21st PRO-SEM class.
1st Paragraph
Thank you for reviewing my resume for a Production Assistant position at Lucas Digital Ltd. I was made aware of the position by searching under the job opening section of the Lucasarts website.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
Dear Mr/Mrs:
I desire an entry-level position within your company. I have seen the work you have done and feel it is very important. I like the direction and vision you have and would enjoy being a part of it.
YES YES YES YES YES YES
Dear Mr. Serritella:
It was a pleasure speaking with you on September 14th at the Houston Job Fair.I would like to formally apply for the position of Public Relations Assistant for the Houston Rockets. I have enclosed my resume for your consideration.
AVAILABLE?
I am currently finishing my B.F.A. in Radio-Television production from Sam Houston State University. I will be graduating May 13, 2004 and am available to begin working for WCTI-TV immediately thereafter.
PARAGRAPH #2
Highlight your most important skills, abilities, attributes & experiences as they RELATE TO THE POSITION
Reflect on research done on the organization
HOUSTON ROCKET RADIO
“As you can see from my resume, I am a sports enthusiast. I have been the Sports Director for KSHU-The Kat for the past two years and am equally at ease doing play-by-play and color commentary for Bearkat football, basketball and baseball. Last summer I had the opportunity to intern with Fox Sports Southwest and was an assistant producer for Rockin’ Rudy which aired Sunday mornings on KTRK-TV.
International Communications
As an international company, I expect you value language skills. I am fluent in both writing and speaking Spanish. Since I also grew up as an Army brat, I have had the opportunity to live overseas for nearly half my life. I would embrace the opportunity to work in South America for BSI-International Communications Network.
CLOSING
Discuss what will transpire next. Take the initiative for contact. I plan to be in the Beaumont area at the end
of the month and would be interested in scheduling a meeting with you then.
I look forward to speaking with you further about my qualifications. I will call you next Friday so we can arrange an appointment at your convenience.
CLOSING
I realize how busy you are, but I would appreciate a few minutes of your time. I will contact you on Thursday, March 4th to discuss employment possibilities. In the meantime, if you need to contact me, my number is 409-294-1340. Please leave a message if I’m not in, and I will promptly return your call
Thank you very much for considering my resume for the job as Associate Producer for KWTX News 7. I look forward to talking with you soon.
Closing
I realize how busy you are, however, I would appreciate any time you might be able to spare. I will contact you on July 21st so we might further discuss the possibilities of my internship at WBAY-TV. In the meantime, should you need to contact me… Please leave a message if I am unavailable and I will return your call.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my application for the internship position. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
CLOSING: personal
… I am a Rio Grande Valley native…
I would really like the chance to work with KGBT-TV, the station I have known and grown up with since childhood.
Thank you very much for considering my application for the news reporting position. I look forward to talking with you next week when I come home for spring break.
CLOSING NO NO NO NO NO
Thanks for looking at my resume. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Closing
Sincerely,
Maryjo Adams CochranMaryjo Adams Cochran
Cordially,
John E. Cochran IVJohn E. Cochran IV
I NEED A JOB 5 year’s tuition $ Master Card bill $ Car payment $ House trailer $ Car insurance $ Foleys, Dillards $ Braces $ Student Loans $
Misspelled words
Your / youIf your need to contact me
Being / beginI will graduate in May and am available
to being working immediately after
An/amI will graduate in August and an
available to begin working…
Foreward / forwardI look forward speaking with you
.
Misspelled words
Excellent / exellent
I have exellent communication skills
Paid / payedI have payed my way thru
school by working… Ad / AddYour add mentions
training will be provided….
I - - - - A - - -!
I NEED A JOB!
I NEED A JOB!
I NEED A JOB!
It has been great supporting you for the past 20+ years, however, it’s time for you to get a job.
Love,Your family….