Cover Letters

Tips on Writing a Cover Letter

11  Use the letter to sell yourself  The cover letter’s job is to get the employer to look at your resume and invite you for an interview.  Use the letter to make any important points form your resume that you want to clarify or expand.  Use the letter to sell yourself  The cover letter’s job is to get the employer to look at your resume and invite you for an interview.  Use the letter to make any important points form your resume that you want to clarify or expand.

22  Keep the letter to one page.  In about 3-4 paragraphs of 3-5 sentences each, describe how you can help the employer.  Keep the letter to one page.  In about 3-4 paragraphs of 3-5 sentences each, describe how you can help the employer.

22  Paragraph 1  The opening: It states your purpose  Paragraph 2  The sales pitch: It describes your experience and education  Paragraph 3  The closing: It asks for an interview  Paragraph 1  The opening: It states your purpose  Paragraph 2  The sales pitch: It describes your experience and education  Paragraph 3  The closing: It asks for an interview

33  Say why you are writing  In the first paragraph, tell the reason you are writing. Relate the letter to the specific job.  Say why you are writing  In the first paragraph, tell the reason you are writing. Relate the letter to the specific job.

44  Make a connection with the employer.  Do research to learn about the company and its service or product before you write the letter.  Develop points of interest between you and the company.  Make a connection with the employer.  Do research to learn about the company and its service or product before you write the letter.  Develop points of interest between you and the company.

55  Emphasize how you can meet the needs of the position.  The most important thing to an employer is whether you can fit the needs of the job.  Emphasize how you can meet the needs of the position.  The most important thing to an employer is whether you can fit the needs of the job.

Be positive in what you say  Refrain from using weak verbs  Tried, hoped, attempted, etc…  Example: I attempted to attract customers.  Just like your “objective” in your resume, be specific when describing your qualifications and experience.  Refrain from using weak verbs  Tried, hoped, attempted, etc…  Example: I attempted to attract customers.  Just like your “objective” in your resume, be specific when describing your qualifications and experience.

77  Avoid “I” statements.  Overusing the word “I” leaves an impression of arrogance.  Eliminate as many “I’s” as possible.  Avoid “I” statements.  Overusing the word “I” leaves an impression of arrogance.  Eliminate as many “I’s” as possible.

Steps…  1st step: Heading  Make it similar to your heading on your resume  1st step: Heading  Make it similar to your heading on your resume

Steps…  2nd Step: Who are you writing to?  Address your letter to a specific person  Ideally the person who will interview you  Also, do not forget to use salutations.  Mr. Mrs. Ms. Etc…  2nd Step: Who are you writing to?  Address your letter to a specific person  Ideally the person who will interview you  Also, do not forget to use salutations.  Mr. Mrs. Ms. Etc…

Steps…  3rd step: Take time to construct your 1st paragraph  Get the reader’s attention  Include why you are writing and how you heard of the opening.  3rd step: Take time to construct your 1st paragraph  Get the reader’s attention  Include why you are writing and how you heard of the opening.

Example of a GOOD 1st sentence  I believe that my knowledge of public relations and my proven communication and leadership skills make me a strong candidate for the position of Media Relations Coordinator that was posted by the Delta Airlines Job Opportunities Program.

Steps…  4th step: Body paragraphs  Take time making sure you include all of your most relevant skills using key words and well constructed sentences.  4th step: Body paragraphs  Take time making sure you include all of your most relevant skills using key words and well constructed sentences.

Steps…  5th step: Conclusion  Conclude the letter by asking for a personal interview  Be flexible regarding a date and time for the interview  Be specific about how the interviewer should contact you  Include a thank you  5th step: Conclusion  Conclude the letter by asking for a personal interview  Be flexible regarding a date and time for the interview  Be specific about how the interviewer should contact you  Include a thank you

Steps…  Last step: Proofread  Have someone proofread your cover letter  Also, make the cover letter on the same paper as your resume.  They should look similar.  Lastly, mail your letter using a wide, full-size envelope minimize creases and folding lines.  Last step: Proofread  Have someone proofread your cover letter  Also, make the cover letter on the same paper as your resume.  They should look similar.  Lastly, mail your letter using a wide, full-size envelope minimize creases and folding lines.

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