How to write an Effective Cover Letter and Resume

Introduction No matter how good your resume is, you need to have a well-written cover letter to stand alongside it. Your cover letter can explain why you are the perfect fit for the position you're applying to, and a good one makes it more likely your resume will be seen. No matter how good your resume is, you need to have a well-written cover letter to stand alongside it. Your cover letter can explain why you are the perfect fit for the position you're applying to, and a good one makes it more likely your resume will be seen. Your cover letter should complement, not duplicate your resume. Your cover letter should complement, not duplicate your resume. A cover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression. A cover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression.

What is a Cover Letter A cover letter is a A cover letter is a letter of introduction attached to, or accompanying another document such as a resume or curriculum vitae The one paged letter is one way of introducing themselves to potential employers and explaining their suitability for the position

Cover Letter Format Generally, a cover letter divided into: Header Header Introduction Introduction Body Body Closing Closing Complimentary Close Complimentary Close

Header Contains the following important information: -Applicants Name and Address -The Date -Employers designation and Address -Salutation Header Lets identify them… Cover Letter Tips: Cover letters used the Business letter or Block style, like this sample letter here. Now…

Introduction Introduction Contains the following important information: -The Job for which you are applying for -The Job preference (permanent, full time, etc) -The Source and date of the Job information (newspaper, internet, etc) Cover Letter Tips: You can also mention the name of the person who referred you for the position

Body Contains the following important information: -Your qualifications briefly -Your interest, career objective and goals -Relevant experiences, specialized trainings Then refer the reader to the next Part: the Closing Body Cover Letter Tips: Remember to reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, and communication skills

Closing Contains the following important information: -Your desire to be interviewed. -Your availability for interview -Your phone number, mobile phone number, address Write that you look forward to a call or letter Closing Cover Letter Tips: Don’t forget to thank the person who read your Cover Letter by saying “thank you!”

Complimentary close Contains the following important information: -Your Full Name - Your Signature -Your enclosures such your resume, relevant certificates, and other docs. You may abbreviate ENC or ENCL to indicate that you have enclosures Cover Letter Tips: Always don’t forget to Sign properly and neatly! Complimentary close

Always remember that the purpose of the Cover Letter is to get you noticed. Your Cover letter should immediately grab the attention of the reader (hopefully your future Boss) which will lead then to an interview.

There are 10 Tips on how to write a cover letter (see next slide )

Keep It Simple. An effective cover letter is short, sweet, and to the point. Keep It Simple. An effective cover letter is short, sweet, and to the point. In the Introduction, state your reason for writing the letter and refer to the specific position you are applying for In the Introduction, state your reason for writing the letter and refer to the specific position you are applying for The Body must give details regarding your work experience and skills. The Body must give details regarding your work experience and skills. Personalize your cover letter. Address the letter directly to the person responsible for the hiring Personalize your cover letter. Address the letter directly to the person responsible for the hiring Start your cover letter off with a bang. You must grab their attention from the very first line Start your cover letter off with a bang. You must grab their attention from the very first line 10 Easy and Effective Tips on how to Write a Cover Letter

bullet the important points. This makes your cover letter more reader friendly and will also grab the reader's attention bullet the important points. This makes your cover letter more reader friendly and will also grab the reader's attention Take the initiative to contact the employer after they receive your cover letter Take the initiative to contact the employer after they receive your cover letter Always always always check your cover letter for spelling mistakes! Always always always check your cover letter for spelling mistakes! Create a 'professional' looking cover letter by printing your cover letter on high-grade paper Create a 'professional' looking cover letter by printing your cover letter on high-grade paper Re-read your cover letter after a couple of days. Once you have completed your cover letter, put it away for a couple of days and then go back and re-read your cover letter. You'll be surprised at what you discover Re-read your cover letter after a couple of days. Once you have completed your cover letter, put it away for a couple of days and then go back and re-read your cover letter. You'll be surprised at what you discover 10 Easy and Effective Tips on how to Write a Cover Letter cont..

Now that we have our Cover letter, we will now proceed to make our Resume. But let us identify first what is a Resume.

What is a Resume? is a document that contains a summary of relevant job experiences and education for a specific employment search. How can it become effective? - - It should grab the readers’ attention and highlight your greatest achievements - - Cover as many possible skill set the employer may specify

Elements of an Effective Resume: Contact Information Objective Experiences / Employment History Education / Training Preferences Certifications / Licenses Skills References

Now lets take one resume as an example.…. References: Skills: “Available upon request”

Contact Information Contains the following important information: -Full Legal Name -Permanent Address -Phone number (s) with Area Code -Mobile phone number - Address Contact Information Resume Tips: 1) Avoid Nicknames! 2) Use a permanent address and Phone number 3) Use an add that sounds professional 4) Leave out your marital status, parents name, etc Now let us identify the Elements….

Career Objectives Objective / Career Objective -This is your Job Search Mission Statement -It is Statement which expresses an employment Goal (s) and tells the Employer what your target job is and what you want to do -Sometimes called “Career Objectives” Resume Tips: 1) Should be Employer Focused 2) Be Specific! 3) Don't write a general statement to submit to ALL Employers. 4) Try to use active words

Employment History and Experiences -Overview of work history that has provided you with useful skills -List these in reverse chronological order- the most recent first -Include the ff information: Title of Position and Name of Organization -Location (State, City) and dates of employment -Summary of responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and achievements Resume Tips: Include also Military Experience, internships/cooperatives and volunteer experiences Employment History

Remember to put the dates first (from – to) then the Company Name, and the Position held. Put “present” in the To field if still currently working.Remember….

And don’t forget to Highlight your achievements!And….

EducationEducation - -List all your relevant education, training, and certifications. -List degrees (s) awarded, school (s) attended, dates of attendance or year of graduation/completion and your program/major. -List in chronological order, starting with your most recent first. Resume Tips: Don’t forget to include your trainings and seminars. Also include the dates and the number of days for each. References: Skills: “Available upon request”

Preference (s) - You can indicate here your job preferences. It usually include - Job type (Contract, Permanent) - Location - Willingness to travel - Target company size - Category - Job expectation (s) Resume Tips: Please note that this is part is Optional.Preferences

Resume Tips: Make sure to have a copy of the Certificates and Licenses. Most employers may want to request for it during the interview! Certification (s) - You can indicate here your relevant Certifications. - It must be in Reverse Chronological Order – the Most recent First - Make sure to include the Organization / Company that issued that Certificate (s) Certification (s) References: Skills: “Available upon request”

Skills (s) -A concise list of your qualifications, skills, and accomplishments that are required for the position you are seeking -List in the order of importance -Include computer skills/hardware skills, technical skills. -Include skills in operating two way radios, CCTV’s, two way convex/concave mirrors, etc Skill (s) References: Skills: “Available upon request”

References Don’t include references in the resume. You can put a note at the bottom of the resume: - “references available upon request” References References: Skills: “Available upon request”