ACADEMIC ENGLISH IIINovember 5th 2012

Today• Letters of application (cover letters).

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)• The letter of application is a cover letter you send to a

prospective employer to supplement your résumé.

It should be:

Personable – about you.

Professional – demonstrates your professionalism.

Persuasive – sells yourself to the prospective employer.

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)Different from résumés:

1. A résumé is a compilation of facts only. A LoA is much more personal.

2. A résumé includes all details. A LoA includes only the most relevant details.

3. A résumé includes personal data, specific course data, and may include references. A LoA does not (exceptions: course work).

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)• Résumé facts to exclude:

• - Personal data, including license or certificate numbers.

• - Specific names of courses.

• - Names and addresses of all your references.

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)• This document can be the difference between getting an

interview or having your résumé go here:

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)Main purpose:

Convince the prospective employer that you can use the experience and education listed on your résumé in the job.

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)Guidelines:

1. Supply contact information as part of your letter head.

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)Guidelines:

2. Make the letter look attractive.

- Wide margins. - Short paragraphs(max. 4 – 5 sentences).

- Double space BETWEEN paragraphs.

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)Guidelines:

3. Send your letter to a specific person.

- Avoid “To Whom it May Concern,” “Dear Sir or Madam,” “Dear HR Director,” - Get an individual’s name (check company website, call the company).

- Make sure the recipient’s name is complete and spelled correctly!!!!!!!!!

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)Guidelines:

4. Emphasize YOU.

- Imagine if you were the employer; what would you want to see in a LoA? - Do not boast too strongly.

“I am the most efficient and effective safety engineer.”

“I will sell the most units.”

“I am the best writer I know.”

“I am the king of marketing.”

“I was the best student in my school.”

“I am AWESOME!”

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)Guidelines:

4. Emphasize YOU.

- Convince the prospective employer that you will be a valuable addition to their organization:

- Your accomplishments. - Your professional manner.

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)Guidelines:

5. Close with a polite salutation.

Letters of Application (Cover Letters)Guidelines:

6. Don’t send your first draft.

- Write, re-write, re-write, re-write.

- Make sure to revise and edit carefully.

- The average employer spends 9 seconds looking at LoAs.One mistake…and you can guess what happens.

Parts of a LoA

Letter Head (name and contact info).

Date

Recipient’s informationSalutation

Opening paragraph.

Body. - education - experience

Closing.

Relate these to the position applied for.

Opening paragraphThis is your introduction and should indicate:

- Why are you writing.

- Where you found out about the position or company

- What is your most important qualification for the position.

Opening paragraphDo not begin with a question:

“Are you looking for a dynamic, young, and talented accountant?”

Be more professional:

Early next month, I will graduate with a degree in international relations from Keimyung Adams College, a 4-year honors degree college where all coursework is conducted in English with foreign faculty.

Opening paragraph

BodyThis provides evidence from your résumé to prove you are qualified.

- Keep sentences short and readable.

- Don’t begin each sentence with “I”.

I have good management skills. I gained relevant experience through my recent internship. I learned from prominent professionals. I was involved in many decision making processes.

BodyThis provides evidence from your résumé to prove you are qualified.

- Highlight your qualifications by citing specific accomplishments.

- Mention that you are enclosing your résumé.

BodyHighlight your qualifications by citing specific accomplishments:

- Tell the reader exactly how your schoolwork and experience qualify you to perform and excel at the job.

- Show how you can make a positive contribution to the organization.

BodyHighlight your qualifications by citing specific accomplishments:

- Don’t simply say “I’m a great salesperson.”

Instead:

- Demonstrate your accomplishments by stressing that you increased sales volume in your department by 15 percent within the last six months.

- You won an award for customer service.

- You reduced costs by 15 percent.

BodyDiscussing education:

Emphasize marketing WHY and HOW your most significant educational accomplishments- - course work, degrees, certificates, training, etc.

are relevant for the job.

BodyDiscussing education:

Poor example:

I will graduate with a degree in IT.

BodyDiscussing education:

Better example:

Talk about 36 credit hours in software security.

12 credit hours in global business.

Show exactly how you are qualified!

BodyDemonstrate that your education, experience, skills, etc. are RELEVANT to the job.

BodyMention you are enclosing a résumé.

Also put:

Encl. résumé

At the bottom of the page.

Body

• - talks about necessary education and• applies it directly to the employer’s business.

Body

• Talks about relevant work experience.

Uses words like: - responsible for… - creating - designing - executing

Also mentions his enclosed résumé.

ClosingThis provides a conclusion and should emphasize once again your qualifications, ask for an interview or phone call, and indicate when you are available for an interview.

Closing- Keep it short (2 – 3 sentences). Perform the following functions:

1. Emphasizes once again briefly your major qualifications.

2. Asks for interview or phone call.

3. Indicates when you are available for interview.

4. Thanks the reader

Closing

- Mentions qualifications.

- Asks for an interview.

- Indicates availability.

- Thanks employer.

ClosingEnd gracefully.

“Please give me an interview.”

“I would like an interview at your convenience.”

ClosingEnd with a closing salutation

Before you send it

CHECK IT AGAIN!

Paper 3Internship application.

Important dates:

November 7th : Résumé rough draft.November 9th : Cover letter rough draft.

November 14th : Final application (cover letter & résumé)

All submitted through e-mail: kachomework@gmail.com

Paper 3Internship application.

- Imagine you are now in your Junior (3rd ) year at KAC.

- Decide a specific type of internship you would like to apply for (i.e., marketing, development, human resources, etc.).

- Write an application for that internship. - Cover letter. - Résumé.

Paper 3Internship application.

- Write an application for that internship. - Cover letter. - Résumé.

Recipient:

Alice Chen, Human Resources Manager, ABC Organization, 123 Any Street, Office 418, <Insert Country>