The purpose of the cover letter is to:
- Introduce yourself to the employer.
- Express why you are interested in working for the organization
- Emphasize how your qualifications will contribute to the organization.
- Ask for an interview
When preparing a cover letter, remember to:
- Individualize each letter, addressing it to a specific person, using their title, and organization.
- Use a business letter format (see below).
- Ask others to proofread the letter for clarity, grammar, and spelling.
- Use the same bond paper as your resume, and use matching envelopes
- Always use a cover letter when faxing or emailing a resume to an employer
Preparing Cover Letters
Cover letters are short, one-page, professional letters that introduce your resume and communicate your knowledge of and interest in the position for which you are applying. Include the following:
1. Contact Information. Who are you directing the letter to? (try to get the name of an individual, if not, direct it to a position – i.e., Manager of Corporate Relations)
Name ______________________________ Title ___________________________________
Company ____________________________ Division ________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
2. Lead Paragraph. Introduces you to the employers and informs them of what you are seeking.
A. What position are you seeking? _______________________________________________
B. How did you learn of the position*?
___ Not aware of any opportunities. Writing to inquire about opportunities
___ Network / personal referral. Name of referring individual**__________________________
___ Newspaper. Name of Paper _______________________ Date ad appeared __________
___ Follow up to job search event (e.g., career fair, panel program, etc.)
___ Other _________________________________________________________________
* This information helps employers gauge the effectiveness of their advertising.
**Using the name of an individual that referred you may advance your application more quickly.
C. What are you asking of the employer? (e.g., “Please accept this letter and the enclosed resume in application for this position.”)
___________________________________________________________________________
3. The Body. The body of the letter should sell your background to a specific opportunity. To avoid repeating the resume (which focuses on your skills and abilities), focus on the characteristics you possess that will make you successful in the role. The following will assist you:
A. Give employers a sense of your priorities for the position. Provide three characteristics you feel a successful candidate should possess and why are they important to this role?
Characteristic Benefit to Position Example:
Attention to Detail _ this position will be responsible for planning events independently
_________________ _________________________________________________________
_________________ ________________________________________________________
_________________ _________________________________________________________
B. For each of this characteristics, give an example of how you have portrayed this characteristic?
Characteristic Example:
Attention to Detail - VP, French Club: coordinated 1 panel discussion with 3 panelists & 25 student attendees
_________________ _________________________________________________________
_________________ ________________________________________________________
4. Optional Third Paragraph. Communicate your knowledge of and interest in the organization and/or provide requested salary data.
A. Why are you specifically interested in this position?
____________________________________________________________
B. Has the employer requested salary requirements? ___ Yes___ No
If yes:
i. What is the average salary for this position?
________________________
If it is not available, what is the average salary for your major?___________
ii. Do you have directly related experience beyond internships? ___ Yes ___ No
iii. If yes, based on the extent of that experience, calculate 5-10% of the average salary. _________
iv. Total the figures in lines “i” and “iii.” ______________
v. * Set a salary range $5,000 below to $5,000 above the figure in line “iv.” ______________________
* this is the figure you should use when salary requirements are requested.
5. Concluding Paragraph.
A. What is the next step you will take:
___ Contact the employer to determine if an interview is possible.* If yes, when? ________________
___ Wait to hear from the employer * Following up with the employer is strongly recommended.
B. Remind the employer of how he/she can follow up with you: __ Phone __ Email
C. Be sure to thank the employer for their time and consideration.
Sample Format
Your address
Your phone number
Date
Employer’s name
Employer’s title
Organization name
Address
Dear Mr./Ms. (or Sir/Madam, if it’s impossible to get a contact name):
First paragraph: State the reason you are writing. Attract the employer’s attention by pitching the letter to his or her needs or interests, rather than to your career goals.
Second paragraph: Explain how your abilities, background, and qualifications will enable you to contribute to the organization. Describe how your specific skills, strengths, or personal attributes are relevant to the position. You may emphasize one or two items from your resume, but try not to be redundant. The cover letter supplements your resume, highlighting your special qualities which might help persuade an employer to contact you. Keep it oriented to the employer’s needs!
Final paragraph: Reiterate your interest and ask for an interview at the employer’s convenience. You may provide a date when you will contact him/her to set up an appointment. Thank the employer for his/her time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your name typed
Enc. Resume
Prospecting Cover Letter
123 Maple St.
New York, NY 12345
(555) 555-5555
[Today’s date]
Ms. Jane Smith, Editorial Director
Big Books
123 Broadway
New York, NY 12345
Dear Ms. Smith:
Are you looking for a resourceful assistant with strong oral and written communication skills? I have looked at several of your recently published books, and would be extremely interested in working for you.
I can offer Big Books the following qualifications:
- Creativity. As an undergraduate at Ivy University, I wrote and designed the copy and layout for over five widely distributed publications.
- Technical skills. I learn and use computer applications quickly (see resume).
- Belief in your product and direction. Your specialized reference books targeted to a young adult market provide an important service. And your recent expansion into internet technologies to create downloadable books will make your products accessible to the wider audience.
Big Books is the type of growing publishing house with which I hope to start my editing career. I work well with co-workers and thrive n a team environment. May I call you next week to discuss employment opportunities? My number is (555) 555-5555 and my email address is mjohnson@ivy.edu, if you want to reach me beforehand.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Mary Johnson
Prospecting Cover Letter
123 Fifth Avenue, #100
New York, NY 12345
(555) 555-5555
[Today’s date]
Mr. David Nelson, Director
Environmental Council
123 Scranton Avenue, Room 200
White Plains, NY 12345
Dear Mr. Nelson:
I am very concerned about the future of our environment and believe, as the Environmental Council does, that businesses and environmental groups should work together for conservation. Your goal of convincing businesses that they benefit when they strive to preserve the environment is definitely worthwhile. I would like to help you in this effort.
Convincing people, however, to do a little extra work is not always easy. As the former president of a campus organization, I regularly had to persuade to “go the extra mile.” That usually meant getting them to sign up for membership, pay a reasonable increase in dues, or donate funds to a local health clinic. I accomplished my goals by utilizing both my written and oral communication skills. And, as you can see from my resume, my motivation and commitment achieved results.
I would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to discuss how I might fit in with your team. I will call next week to determine your interest. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Jen Lee
Application Cover Letter
123 Madison Street
New York, NY 12345
(555) 555 – 5555
[Today’s date]
Mr. Richard Smith
Assistant Vice President, Operations
Major Banking Corporation
123 Park Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 12345
Dear Mr. Smith:
I am interested in the Junior System Analyst position you listed on Ivy University CareerNet. My education and experience in computers are an excellent match with the responsibilities you described.
The challenge of systems analysis at a large organization such as Major stems from both the constant upgrading required and also the diversity of application needs. As the Computer Operation Faculty Liasion at Ivy University, I gained a wide range of experience in this type of environment. On several occasions, I advised university departments on their selection and set-up of LAN hardware and appropriate new software.
In addition to a strong technical base, I perform well both independently and as part of a team. I communicate effectively with all levels of personnel, having had to work closely with student assistants and department directors on the above-mentioned projects.
I would greatly appreciate the chance to work for Major Banking. I will call you next week to discuss the possibility of setting up an interview. In the meantime, I can be reached at (555) 555-5555 or you can e-mail me at bgates@ivy.edu.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Bill Gates
Application Cover Letter
123 Lexington Avenue, #1A
New York, NY 12345
(555) 555 – 5555
[Today’s date]
Ms. Dorothy Gale, Director
New Community Agency
123 Maple Street
New York, NY 12345
Dear Ms. Gale:
My background in social work fits well with the required qualifications for the Social Worker position described in your NY Times advertisement. Having worked in psychiatric social work for two years at a large urban medical center, I am now interested in working for a community agency like New Community.
I was glad to read that you provide mental health services at the preventive as well as the treatment maintenance level. My present job allows me to provide individuals and groups at risk with a variety of preventative interventions, such as parent training and stress management. A recent proposal of mine, which is under budgetary consideration, is to establish a series of preventative workshops for young lower income parents. I strongly believe in preventive approaches, and would be happy to conduct such workshops at your agency.
As you can see from my resume, I have extensive experience, including provision of concrete services. Serving the community at large, your agency probably supports a wide segment of the diverse local population. I have worked with patients of all ages and from many ethnic/racial backgrounds. As a matter of fact, patient diversity has been one of the most rewarding aspect of my social work career.
I am very interested in your position, and look forward to telling you in greater detail how I can contribute to your team. I will call you next week to determine your interest. I can also be reached at (555) 555-5555 at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Ronald Howard, C.S.W.
Contact Cover Letter
123 Flatbush Avenue, Apt. 1-C
Brooklyn, NY 12345
(555) 555 – 5555
[Today’s date]
Ms. Amy Green
Vice President
Global Entertainment, Inc.
17 Sunset Boulevard, 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 12345
Dear Ms. Green:
Austin Powers from Triangle Studios suggested that I contact you. I assisted Austin over the summer. Now that I am graduating from Ivy University and making arrangements to move to Los Angeles, he thought that you might recommend some organizations that could use my skills.
My plan is to break into film distribution, an aspect of the film industry that has always interested me. In distribution, a person needs both a knowledge of film and strong business sense. As a drama major, I gained an extensive understanding of film production, which is important when setting up the distribution schedule. In my various managerial positions, I learned how to negotiate with vendors and motivate a staff in order to have projects accomplished on time. These skills are combined with a love of California and a “don’t quit” attitude that I believe qualifies me to make a solid contribution.
My resume summarizes my background if in the future you know of someone with an available position. I will arrive in Los Angeles by the end of this month, and will call you then to see if you have any suggestions. Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Andrew Collins
Contact Cover Letter
Date
Ivy University
PO Box 12345
Anytown, USA 12345
Ms. Beth Smith
Product Manager
ABC, Inc.
1234 Main St.
Anytown, USA 12345
Dear Mr./Ms. Employer Name:
I am writing to inquire about the Marketing Associate vacancy within ABC, Inc.
During the Fall 2009 Ivy University Career & Internship Day I spoke with you regarding marketing opportunities. I particularly enjoyed our discussion of the challenges and opportunities associated with the marketing associate vacancy within the Consumer Products Division. I am very interested in being considered for this position.
From our discussion, I recognize that the Marketing Associate position requires a driven individual with a strong customer service orientation and consumer psychology background. My qualifications for this position include:
Recipient of two highly competitive customer service awards within two months, based on productivity and consumer ratings;
Strong achievement orientation—as evidenced by my 3.6 GPA;
Excellent knowledge base developed through my major in marketing, organizational management specialization; and,
Leadership orientation demonstrated through my role as Vice President of Student Government Association.
Enclosed is a resume for your review. I welcome the opportunity to interview for this position. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Alan Applicant (Typed)
Enc.
E-mail Cover Letter / Letter of Application
To: anytwpschools@ivy.edu
Subject: Teaching Position Application and Resume
I recently learned, through Ivy University Office of Career Services, of openings within the Any Township School District. Please consider me for a full time elementary teaching position in grades two through four. As a May 2009, elementary education graduate from Ivy University, I have the qualifications and experience required to be an effective leader within your district.
During the recent academic year, in fulfillment of my student teaching requirements, I taught all subject areas to fourth and first grade classes. As you will see in my resume, in this role, I prepared and taught two thematic, interdisciplinary social studies units. Also, I accumulated field teaching experiences in global to local, and urban to suburban environments, strengthening my ability to work with diverse populations and giving me a sense of the impact of a community’s values and participation on student learning. Finally, I took the opportunity to develop projects and programs in the community that encouraged developing youth.
Enclosed is my resume for your review. I would be pleased to discuss the details of my qualifications in a personal interview. My dedication and enthusiasm for student learning and achievement, complements the commitment of the students and staff in the Any Township school community. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Edwina Education
Attached: Resume
No comments:
Post a Comment