cover letters write a great letter & get invited for an interview

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….