the cover letter2
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The Cover Letter
Prepared by Prof. Delia SerranoModified by Prof. Natalia Pérez
Center for Language Development
Across the Disciplines
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
An essential part of the résumé
A personalizing factor of your job application and résumé
Motivates the individual’s interest in reading your résumé
The Importance of a Cover Letter
Demonstrates focus and eagerness
Guarantees that the individual will open and read it
Enables you to make a follow up call or write a letter to seek an interview
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
Importance of Acquiring the Name and Address of the
Contact Person
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Characteristics of an Effective Cover Letter
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Characteristics of an Effective Cover Letter
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
Heading
Include:
Your name and address
The date
Employer’s name and address
Protocol Letter Writing
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
Carmen Santiago MéndezUrb. Rolling Hills123 Borinquen StreetRio Piedras, PR 00975(H) 787 769-8489(M) 787 638-5490
March 29, 2005
Mrs. Zobeida GonzálezSales and Marketing ManagerJR Enterprises154 North Shore Ave.Tampa, FL 33607
SampleHeading
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
Normal salutation:
* If acquainted with your contact Example: Dear Anthony,
Formal salutation:
Example: Dear Mrs. Rodríguez:
Dear Ms. Ruiz: (if marital status unknown)
Dear Miss Santos Dear Mr. Soto:
Protocol Letter Writing
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
Generating Interest
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
I am responding to your recent job listing in El Nuevo Día newspaper requesting a sales manager for your company.
I read your advertisement in The San Juan Star yesterday, and after researching your company, I was impelled to apply for the position of___.
The manager of GPI Paints, Anabelle Ruiz, has suggested I contact you regarding the opening for a___.
Samples of Attention Getters
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
After capturing the prospective employer’s interest, secure the desired position by clearly:
Stating your intentions
Developing each sentence
Highlighting experiences and achievements
How to Demonstrate Desire
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Regarding the opportunity…
If you have an opening in the field of …
My reason for contacting you is…
If you are seeking a marketing manager,
you will be interested to know…
Sample Phrases Demonstrating Desire
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Establishing Contact
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I look forward to speaking with you and will call your office within the next few days.
I hope to speak to you and will call at the beginning of next week to follow up.
Sample Sentences for Establishing Contact
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You may reach me at 787 769-1256 to arrange an interview.
I feel certain that I can make a significant contribution, and I look forward to meeting you at your convenience.
Sample Sentences for Establishing Contact
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
Avoid over familiarity in the salutation
Write a clear, eye catching introductory sentence
At the beginning, quote the source and date of the employment advertisement
To Ensure the Reading of Your Résumé and Interview
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
In the body, demonstrate your skills and experience
Conclude with a positive statement, and establish contact
To Ensure the Reading of Your Résumé and Interview
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
Dates in English: month-day-yearExample: March 15, 2010
Omit commas before the year when it follows the month alone
Example: July 2006
Writing Tips to Remember
Writing Tips to Remember
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
Do not capitalize common organizational terms
Examples: advertising department, manufacturing committee
Capitalize acronyms Examples: SER, MDA
Do not write contractions Example: it’s, they’re
Writing Tips to Remember
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
There should be no space before and after a diagonal lineExample: and/or
Percentages should be written in figure and the word “percent” spelled out Example: 10 percent
Easily Confused Words
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There indicates location – over there
Their is a possessive pronoun – belonging to them
They’re is the contraction of they are
It’s is a contraction for it is
Its is a possessive pronoun
Easily Confused Words
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Than is a conjunction showing comparison Example: older than me
Then refers to a time period (now and then)
Two is a number Example: I have two birds.
Too is an adverb which means also or a lot Example: I want to go, too. I ate too much chocolate today.
To is a preposition Example: I went to the house.
Barat Norte 223 (BN 223)787-728-1515 ext. 2294
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.sagrado.edu/lad
Center for Language Development
Across the Disciplines
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
References
Cover Letter Articles. Retrieved February 2,2005, from http://www.cover.letters.your-resume-writer.com
MSN Careers-Test Your Resume Grammar and Punctuation I.Q.-Career Advice Article. Retrieved September 20, 2004, from http://msn.careerbuilder.com
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
The Cover Letter
Contributions by: Casandra Matos Gisela Iglesias