Hanson Career Workshop Session 1: Finding Your Career Fit Session 2: Writing Resumes Session 3: Writing Cover Letters/Work Search Strategies Session 4: All About Interviews

My career

The Cover Letter

Your Cover Letter Should be able to answer: WHAT: what skills and experience do you offer which match that company’s and/or job’s needs? WHY: why do you want to work for that company? HOW: how will you add more value to their company?

Header Date Contact Info Salutation Subject Line Introduction Body Closing Signature Kelly Lee

Your Cover Letter 1. Contact Information Address you letter to a specific person, if possible. Make sure the name and address of the company are spelled correctly. NEVER write ‘To Whom It May Concern’. Instead write ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ 2. Subject line State the position title.

3. Introduction Paragraph State the specific information you’re applying for. Generate the reader’s interest: Explain why you are interested in the company End with a summary sentence of what makes you a strong candidate.

4. Body Paragraphs

Highlight qualifications that are related to the job Give specific examples of your skills State or illustrate specific knowledge Limit the use of the word “I”. You are focusing on meeting the employer’s needs, not your own. Avoid any negative language!

Use ACTION VERBS when summarizing your experience, skills, qualifications 4. Body Paragraphs

5. Conclusion Summarize what makes you a strong candidate. Reaffirm your interest in working for that company State your appreciation to the reader for reviewing your resume.

The Cover Letter Do’s: Ensure there are NO typing, grammar, spelling errors Use a professional font, consistent format with resume Ensure your cover letter fits in ONE page Don’ts: DON’T use more than two font sizes or styles DON’T use weird bullet points DON’T include information about age, race, marital status DON’T include reasons for termination

ACTIVITY: Let’s take a look at some cover letters. Split into groups of 3-4 Imagine you’re the HR department of a company Based on the cover letter, which candidate will you hire, and why? What’s working for the candidate? What’s not working for the candidate?

Take Action: Finding Work What are your work search strategies?

Take Action: Finding Work Volunteering Resources: Hanson Student Services Department

Take Action: Finding Work Effective work search strategies:

Take Action: Finding Work The Information Interview What is it not: NOT a job interview NOT a way to find a job NOT related, by any means, to a job Do NOT mention job in an info interview What is it: Career chat Finding information for a specific career Closely linked to connection, networking Mention your interest in a certain career

The Information Interview 1.Research the company a.What is it about? Take notes about the company’s goals, mission. b.Compare with your own career statement. How similar are they? How different? 2.Make contact a)The contact Fewer than 100 words DO NOT mention ‘job’!! Mention how you found the contact person Write about showing your interest in what the person does Maintain control of the follow-up

The Information Interview The contact My name is Peter Smith, and I am a first- year Drucker MBA student who found your information in the Drucker alumni database. May I have 20 minutes to ask you about your experience with IBM? I am trying to learn more about marketing careers in technology companies in California, and your insights would be very helpful. I recognize this may be a busy time for you, so if we are unable to connect by I’ll try to reach you next week to see whether that is more convenient. Thank you for your time, Peter

The Information Interview 3. The Interview a.Again, do not ask for jobs. b.Ask about how the person achieved his/her goals in the company c.What resources did the person use to attain the position? d.Ask “What advice could you give me to succeed?” 4. The follow-up a)Send a thank-you Include the key points during the information interview Thank the interviewee for the time!

My career

Thank you! Session 4: All About Interviews!