7/27/2019 Job Application and Cover Letters

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career.eng.ohio-state.edu

Engineering Career Services 199 Hitchcock Hall 2050 Neil Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43210 (614) 292-6651

HOW TO WRITE APPLICATION (or Cover) LETTERS

Whenever you send your resume to apply for a posted job opening, you need to send an application letter(sometimes called a cover letter) as well. Your application letter can add value and interest to yourresumeor take you out of consideration completely! Luckily, theres a straightforward formula forsuccess thats easy to master. Simply follow steps 1 and 2 below.

STEP 1: Print (or clip) the posting or advertisement. Highlight or underline every qualificationrequesteddegree, coursework, experience, interests, personal qualities. Then, make a chart like theone below.

The job asks for: Examples of how I match:

List each qualification stated in the ad. For each qualifi cation listed, list w hat you have thatSkill A matches: education (degree, specific courses, projects

done for courses); experience (paid or volunteer);Skill B interests or hobbies (if you have any that specifically

relate to that job or organization), personal qualitiesthat specifically matchthe desired profile, technicalskills, etc. If the posting lists something that

Skill C you dont have, just skip itneversay, Although I

dont have. The employer might be glad to findetc. someone who has 5 out of the 6 qualifications listed!

STEP 2:Next, incorporate the results of your chart into a finished letter such as the following example:

1Your street addressYour City, State, Zip codeTodays date

Name (orif unknown, the function, such as Hiring Manager or Plant Manager)Title and/or Department (if known)Company NameStreet addressCity, State, Zip

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name: (or, Dear Hiring Manager: )

I am writing to apply for the mechanical engineering position [Company Name] has currentlyposted with Engineering Career Services at Ohio State. My co-op work experience, academicpreparation, and career interests fit this position very well. [Add a sentence to indicate why youare interested in this particular job or company. Example: In addition, I have a strong interestin the automotive industry, and .]

As the enclosed resume indicates, I will graduate in June 2002 with a B.S. in MechanicalEngineering from the Ohio State University. My technical electives have focused onmanufacturing and automotive design. I have been an active contributor to OSUs FormulaSAE racecar, working on suspension design and sponsorship development.

During my five co-op quarters of mechanical engineering experience, I worked my way up toan entry-level engineers responsibilities. For six months, I was responsible for dimensionalquality on three of six forming lines. In this position I learned the value of precise

communication between both bargaining unit employees and engineers, in addition toenhancing my technical skills. I also have two quarters of mechanical design experience,during which I selected catalog design components, integrated them into complex mechanicaldesigns, and successfully designed products for manufacturability.

I am very interested in this opportunity and would enjoy meeting with you to learn more about[Company Name] and to discuss how my education and experience could benefit you. I willcall your office next week to see if a meeting can be arranged.

Sincerely,Your signatureYour full name typedYour email addressYour area code and phone number

Communicate professionalism byusing the standard business letterformat. Allow a minimum of oneinch margins on all sides. Use afont size of 1012. If youreemailing, paste your letter intothe text art of our email.

Your opening paragraph identifiesthe specific job, where you saw it,andin one sentence--summarizeswhat appeals to you about it.

In paragraph #2 (you could break itinto 2a and 2b, as the sampledoes), you will describe exactly howyou match the stated qualifications.Some people use bullet pointsinstead of full paragraphs. Youcould have four or five bullet points,but if you use paragraph style, limitit to two.

In paragraph 3, you request aninterview and restate your interest.

In the closing, provide contactinformation so they can easily reachyou even if your resume ismisplaced!

Did you spell check AND proofread?