What Is a Cover Letter? A cover letter expresses your interest in and qualifications for a position to a prospective employer. Key Concept: The facilitator should stress that a cover letter is highly personalized. There is no one correct way to write a cover letter, and writers should never simply copy another cover letter. Job applicants should think about what makes them qualified for the position they are seeking, and they should stress these qualifications throughout their letters.

What Should My Cover Letter Accomplish? Your cover letter should introduce the main points of your résumé. It should also help you to “sell” your qualifications to the prospective employer. Key Concept: The cover letter should give the employer a sense of what makes an applicant unique and how their experiences and skills have prepared them for the job they are seeking. Applicants should demonstrate their knowledge of the company in the cover letter, and they should write persuasively, using solid facts and figures to support their claims.

Preparing your Cover Letter Find out as much as you can about the company and position Shows knowledge of company Focus on what you have to offer rather than what the they can do for you!!

Letterhead No Abbreviations Name, address, city, zip, phone number and email. Letter head should be exactly like the heading on your RESUME No Abbreviations

Letter Address Address your letter to a specific person, ideally to the person who will interview you.

First Paragraph Type of job applying for How you learned about it General qualifications for the job Key Concept: It is important for applicants to write persuasive opening paragraphs. Writers can capture their reader’s attention best by demonstrating their knowledge of the job or company. If the job an applicant was advertised, applicants might tell where they learned of the opening. If applicants are writing to find out if a job is available, they might mention a product or project on which they are interested in working. In either case, applicants should work to tie their qualifications in with the job they are seeking. The approach writers take will be guided in large part by whether they are writing a solicited application letter or an unsolicited application letter.

First Paragraph Include who you heard about the opening from. Tell that you heard about the position

Second Paragraph Why you’re interested in position Sell Yourself Why you’re interested in position Why you want to work at the company Why you fit with the company (education, work experience, ability to work with others) Most important qualifications for the position in a numbered list

Expand on information in your resume. 1 or 2 of your qualifications Second Paragraph Expand on information in your resume. 1 or 2 of your qualifications

Closing Paragraph Refer to your résumé for additional details Ask for an interview Include your phone number Show appreciation to reader Tell them how to get more information

Make specific request for an interview Closing Paragraph Make specific request for an interview Add your phone number! Thank the reader.

Key Points to Remember Individualize your cover letter for each position you apply for (state the organization at least twice.) Make sure your cover letter is neat, well organized and professional. Sign your name on your cover letter. Proofread carefully for grammatical and typographical errors. The letter should be error-free. Key Concept: The facilitator should stress the importance of proofreading the cover letter before mailing it and of having a critical reader proofread the cover letter as well. A critical reader will often pick up on typographical errors or vague wording that the writer may overlook due to familiarity with the content.

Mailing Your Letter With Your Resume Send both résumé and cover letter Matching design Key Concept: It is best for writers to be consistent in their use of font, paper, and page layout for both the cover letter and the resume. This conveys an attitude of professionalism to the employer and demonstrates that the applicant has spent time customizing both.