How to Write an Effective Cover Letter Sara Yousef CPIT 221

What is a Cover/Application letter?  A letter to market your skills, abilities, and knowledge Especially knowledge about the company (ex: its industry, relevant issues, potential opportunities)  It’s especially important when ing your CV as an attachment

What Should it Accomplish?  Explain which job interests you and why  Provide a good first impression/opinion for the reader.  Catch the reader’s attention by explaining how your skills will contribute to the company  Convince the reader you are qualified for the job by highlighting impressive qualifications in your CV  Request an interview

Remember: It’s a Letter!  Your Name Address Phone Number Address  Date  Employer’s Name/title Company Address  Dear …

Cover Letter Format Opening paragraph Opening paragraph – State position for which you’re applying and how you found out about it. – If you were referred by someone, indicate whom. Middle paragraph(s) Middle paragraph(s) – Build connection between qualifications and company’s needs. – Focus on skills, education, experience. – Emphasize strongest attributes that relate to the position you’re applying for. – Grammar, spelling, punctuation are important. Closing paragraph Closing paragraph – Restate interest in position, demonstrate how your qualifications fit the position. – Include contact info again, and either offer to contact them or ask them for an interview. –.

Opening Paragraph  How did you hear about the job? Mutual contact? Ad?  What is the specific job title?  Why are you interested in the job?  Be enthusiastic  Demonstrate your knowledge of the company

Example: Opening Paragraph  PC Financial is a technologically advanced, customer service oriented financial institution and I am excited to formally apply for the position of Senior Administrative Assistant, as advertised in the Mississauga News. How did you hear about job What is the specific job title? Why are you interested in the job?

Body  Show through examples that you’re qualified for the job  Limit each paragraph to one point Clearly state that point in the topic sentence For example, one paragraph about work experience and one about education achievements

Body Continued…  Support the topic sentence with examples and details Don’t just summarize the CV. Show how your qualifications can help the company  Revolve every sentence in your letter around the company’s needs and expectations

Examples: Body  I bring strong up-to-date academic and practical skills in multimedia tools and graphic arts production, as indicated in my enclosed resume. Further, I have recent project management experience at Dyer, where I was responsible for the development of client brochures, newsletters, and posters. As project manager, I coordinated the project time lines, budgets, and production with clients, staff, and vendors. My experience and contacts in the Los Angeles area media and entertainment community should help me make use of state-of-art design expertise. As you will se on my resume, I have worked with the leading motion picture, television, and music companies- that experience should help me develop exciting marketing tools museum visitors and patrons will find attractive. Paragraph about Education Paragraph about work Experience

Closing Paragraph  Request an interview  Include contact information  End with a statement of goodwill Thank you, I look forward to…

Example: Closing Paragraph  Could we schedule a meeting at your office to discuss this position further? Call me any weekday morning at or me at if you have questions or need additional information. Thank you for your Include contact information Request an interview End with a statement of goodwill

Remember: It’s a letter!  End with: Sincerely, Respectfully yours, Best regards, …  Include a handwritten signature above your typed name  Write Enclosure: CV ( Sincerely, Your handwrite signature Your name Enclosure : Resume) Also, check out some of the many examples on the Internet!

Top Cover Letter Mistakes  Not using letter format  Spelling/grammar mistakes  Writing only about you Demonstrate your knowledge of the company  Using unsupported claims Always prove with examples  Listing unrelated skills/qualifications  Too long, not concise

Summary: Cover Letter Sample Your Name Address Contact Phone # Today’s Date Employer’s Name Professional Title Organization Name Address

Summary: Cover Letter Sample, cont. Dear Mr. (or Ms.) Last Name, Start your letter with a statement that establishes a connection with the reader. Briefly say what job you are applying for. The mid-section of your letter should be two short paragraphs that make relevant points about your qualifications. Your last paragraph should initiate action by explaining what you will do next (ie, call the employer) or should instigate the reader to contact you to set up an interview. Close by saying “Thank you”. Sincerely, Your hand-written signature Your name (typed) Enclosure: resume Format: Use block format (all justified left), single spaced, double- spaced between paragraphs.

Conclusion: Test Your Understanding  Name one reason why we write a Cover Letter. Explain which job interests you and why Catch the reader’s attention by explaining how your skills will contribute to the company Convince the reader you are qualified for the job by highlighting impressive qualifications in your CV Request an interview  What should the opening paragraph achieve? Explain how you heard about the job Stat the job title you are interested in Explain why you are interested in the job Demonstrate your knowledge of the company

Your Assignment  While surfing KAU’s website you found an interesting ad seeking student technicians to assist, part-time, with the maintenance of the lab computers  Write a CV and cover letter to represent you in this job  Assume I am the contact person responsible for hiring a suitable candidate

Your Assignment  Include the following sections: Personal information, Career objective, Education, Achievements, Experience, Skills, Computer skills, Extracurricular activities/affiliations, Interests, References Personal information, Career objective, Education, Achievements, Experience, Skills, Computer skills, Extracurricular activities/affiliations, Interests, References  Do NOT fabricate or use imaginative credentials

Insha Allah Next Monday…  Be prepared for a workshop to show me your work in progress, ask me, and get feedback  This assignment is insha Allah due Saturday October 8 th at the beginning of class For 10% of your final grade Wishing you all success… Wishing you all success…