English for Civil Engineers Week 3 (lesson 2) Instructor: Marina Mogli marmogli@uth.gr

E-class: all ppts of this class E-class: open for the first 3 weeks, then you have to register English for Civil Engineers: MHXC251 http://eclass.uth.gr/eclass/courses/MHXC251/

Civil Engineering vs Architecture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chb2qOnCfDE

5 Signs You're An Engineering Student https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNqyLJNie-s

Motivational Video for Civil Engineers 2018- Evolution of Civil Engineering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi0szQ12lrU

10 Real Tips for Success for Engineering Students- MIT Engineering Professor sharing Best Advice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2iKwOggalI

7 skills every engineer should have irrespective of the branch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR8IEVUeNWU

Today’s class is about: writing a cover letter

What is a cover letter? When do you need to write one? Do you think it’s easy to write?

Anyone who's ever applied for a job knows how stressful it can be Anyone who's ever applied for a job knows how stressful it can be. And for some, the hardest part is the cover letter. It should be professional, but make you stand out. It should be short, but not too short. While a cover letter can seem like a formality, it's an important first step in the process.

How To Write The Perfect Civil Engineering Cover Letter

What is the purpose of a cover letter? The cover letter usually the first thing a civil engineering hiring manager will see with any job application. This is a vital document that can help set your application apart from the other candidates. The number one purpose of a cover letter is to get an interview. However, this short letter is an opportunity to show the potential employer several key points regarding your application.

The purpose of a cover letter Highlights your key skills and qualifications relevant to the position you are applying. Provides brief project examples of your relevant experience. Shows you have done your research, you know the company and what they are looking for in a candidate. Expresses your enthusiasm for the role (also civil engineering) and emphasises the value you will provide the office. Communicates “the intangibles” that is not obvious in your civil engineering resume.

General cover letter tips Keep it short. One page is ideal. Who are you? Let the interviewer know who you are. If you have a mutual colleague or connection make sure you mention them. Use active voice instead of passive. “I started the project” is better than “the project was started by me”. Make it easy to read, formatting is especially important in the design world. Formatting should match your resume so they look like a complete set.

General cover letter tips Sell yourself, this is your marking document. Highlight the best parts of your resume without duplicating it. Highlight your "soft" skills. For example your work ethic, ability to meet deadlines and work long hours if required (not uncommon in civil engineering). Show that you are enthusiastic and passionate about the firm and the role. This can't be found in a resume. Don't be a robot. Be a person. Try to add a personal touch by mentioning something unique and interesting about yourself. Clearly and concisely explain why your qualifications are a good fit for the job.

Tips: Read the job posting closely To make sure you highlight the traits your potential employer really cares about, refer to the skills listed in the job posting to inform how you talk about yourself in your letter. Going a step further, review job listings at several companies, and see if any skills or traits are repeated across an industry.

Quality over quantity When you're first looking for jobs, it can be tempting to send out a generic cover letter to as many employers as possible. But that doesn't work. Recruiters can tell, and they don't like it. Make a good first impression by ditching "to whom it may concern." Instead, look for the name of a hiring manager and address it to them. You should also try to find out a little bit about them, and say something nice about their achievements.

Tell a good story Once you've determined what matters to employers, figure out what type of story you want to tell about yourself. The best cover letters tend to be short and to the point. You don't want to repeat what's in your résumé. Rather than telling employers what you think you're capable of, tell them what you've already achieved. People are hired on credentials, not potential. Leave out things like 'I think I could do a great job.‘ Offer specific, relevant examples.

Mistakes to avoid Too long. Keep it to one page. Isn't customized to the firm you are applying and sounds generic. Using a non professional email address (i.e. awesomeperson@email.com). Avoid phrases such as “I’m the perfect candidate for this position because…” or “I am confident I will exceed your expectations in every way.”

Mistakes to avoid Avoid complicated, confusing sentences, or superfluous words in an effort to sound smart. Spelling errors. Triple check everything and have a friend read it over. Just because spell check didn't catch anything doesn't mean your (you're) perfect.

Submitting the cover letter There are generally three ways to submit your cover letter: 1. Email 2. Website submission 3. Mailed hard copy

Sample Civil Engineer Cover Letter In the photocopy there is a sample cover letter that you can use as a starting point. However, remember you are selling your unique story. How many paragraphs does it have? What is each paragraph about? What are the opening/closing sentences?

Name of person, NOT company Dear Mr/Ms I enclose, I wish to apply, Should you require any… As advertised in… As you can see from my CV Careful, closing statement! Yours sincerely (not faithfully) if you know the name of the person

Write your own cover letter It doesn’t have to be true, make up anything you like, qualifications, your work experience etc., so that it sounds more interesting.

How To Write A Cover Letter | Forbes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR4X-sAAFYI 5 Steps to an Incredible Cover Letter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxOli8laZos How To Write A Cover Letter (Example Included) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHg0b7Nai6c

How to Get a Job With No Experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF8nx8Pt0tI

Job hunting Look for a civil engineer job in https://www.indeed.co.uk /Civil-Engineer-jobs Write a cover letter in order to apply for it.

Thank you Ευχαριστώ