Cover Letter ELL 3044

Warmup Questions Have you ever written a cover letter? What company / position was it for? What’s the difference between a cover letter and a resume (and an application)? Why should you write a cover letter? Vocabulary - Review the underlined vocabulary with your group. What do these words mean?

Vocabulary to be assertive – to be confident and bold without being aggressive or passive an applicant / a candidate – a person who applies for a position / a person who has a possibility to be chosen for a position impersonal – showing no emotion to highlight – to emphasize, to stress

Vocabulary to enclose / a paper is enclosed – to contain to be enclosed – to contain; especially in an envelope or a letter regarding – what is the letter about? what is the letter concerning? what is the letter’s theme? vacancy – an opening (availability)

Quiz 1. How long should cover letters be? a page (3/4 paragraphs) What document do you send along with a cover letter? your resume (CV) Can’t I just send my resume??? No!!! Skipping a cover letter could show the employer you are lazy. A cover letter can show you that you are a good match (skills matching) for that particular job. You can grab the employer’s attention.

What is a Cover Letter? A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you send to an employer with your resume. A cover letter acts as a bridge between your resume and the job advertisement. It allows you to connect your skills to what the job advertisement is looking for. A good cover letter not only explains which job you are applying for and why you think you would be a good applicant, but also who you are as an individual (strengths for this job). It is important because it gives you the opportunity to talk more in depth about some of the skills and experiences on your resume that are applicable to the job you are applying for.

Difference between a cover letter and a resume and an application highlight specific skills you have for that job if it is done correctly your resume will look much better a cover letter allows you to also highlight your personality which matches the position – a resume and an application do not have sections where applicants can highlight their personality

1. Who is she? address? phone? email? 2. How is her address written? 3. What position is she applying for? Where is the job? 4. After her salutation (Dear…), what comes next? Does she use a comma , or a colon : ? 5. Can I use “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam” 6. What does “RE:” mean? 7. What does “ENC:” mean? 8. Did she indent the paragraphs? 9. Difference between paragraph 2/3? 10. What does the last paragraph contain? 11. Why does she type her name under her signature?

label the parts of the cover letter Label the cover letter. Include these parts… today’s date applicant’s address employer’s address introductory statement introduction body conclusion concluding statement signature name enclosed: resume,… what the letter is regarding

Basics (beginning) Date (North American vs European) Your name, your title / phone & email / address Address (small to big) The employer’s contact info (name, person’s title, company, address – small to big) If you know the person you could write… Dear Mr. Kim: or Dear Ms. Lee, (title): If you don’t know the person you could write… To Whom It May Concern: OR Dear Sir / Madam: Dear Hiring Manager: Dear Head of Customer Service:

Introduction What is your name? What position are you applying for? Did someone recommend you? Where did you find the job advertisement? Always be positive – I have enjoyed my 14 years of teaching… Don’t make introductions too long!!!

Body 2nd paragraph: Your experience & qualifications 3rd paragraph: Your personality & skills Don’t repeat your resume! ex. Why is a high TOEIC score good? ex. What can you do with your computer license? ex. You worked at your old job for a long, long time…what does that tell me about you?

Idea Make sure to organize your thinking. Don’t jump from one idea to another idea. Your personality or skills should be suited to the job (an accountant – organized; a salesperson – outgoing)

Conclusion Interest …I am very interested in working with you… Contact info again – email & phone Please contact me …Feel free to contact me if you have any questions… …don’t hesitate to contact me… Be thankful …Thank you very much for your time…

Idea Instead of these… Maybe, if you have time we will talk soon… I think I will contact you… I really really want to hear from you… If it’s okay I will call you… Be more assertive I look forward to hearing from you… I will contact you next week… I will call you…

Basics (ending) Concluding statement Sincerely, Regards, Yours truly, Truly sincerely, Signature Typed name Enclosed: Resume Enc: Resume

More tips: Neat and clean Same font, same font size No indents Spelling / grammar mistakes Concise (time is money) Positive and Assertive Research (who? what? why?) Personalize – different cover letters for different jobs Don’t repeat your resume Sell yourself

Cover Letter Critique What is wrong with the cover letter on page 5? Try to find 5 mistakes (with your group)

Cover Letter Mistakes impersonal (Dear Hiring Manager) no position stated in introduction informal: Hello! How are you? inconsistent – Jeonnam vs Chonnam avoid confident language I think…Maybe… I wish to work at your company not interested in the company I found your advertisement in the newspaper random indenting, formatting informal smiley faces at the bottom unusual reasons I am 24 so I think I will fit in your company.

Cover Letter Mistakes talking about their resume too much I studied in marketing in…. I worked here for… My qualifications are detailed in my resume… not highlighting their skills using SNU using friends as references My friends say I am organized… no contact information informal conclusion Goodbye!

Cover Letter Assignment Write one cover letter in response to one job shown Don’t forget to include all parts of the cover letter Try to write it honestly, as if you were applying to a real job – however, if you wish to lie, I will not check your qualifications

Cover Letter Assignment Due: Oct 15/16– in class Format: Single spacing, 12-point, legible font Length: One page (3-4 paragraphs) Score: 10% Don’t forget to spell check. Ask a friend (or writing lab) to check your spelling and grammar. Consistent formatting Watch out for plagiarism!!! Don’t copy my example with your information!!! Any plagiarism will result in a score of 0!!! Use the jobs provided on the handout!!!