careerservices.gwu.edu Creating Cover Letters for International Students Anne V. Scammon, Managing Director

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Agenda What would you like to learn? Purpose of cover letter and link to resume Format and types of cover letters Tips for writing cover letters Draft your cover letter Review and improve with partner Questions

go.gwu.edu/careerservices What do you think? Evaluate Today’s Program Check iPhone for link to program evaluation Have you learned from the program today? – I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with employers. – I have learned more about how to be a professional. Comments & Ideas

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Upcoming Workshops: International Students: U.S. Job Search Success Wednesday, January 27, 2pm-3:30pm, Marvin Center Room 307 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) & the Internship Search for International Students Thursday, January 28, 11am-12:30pm, Marvin Center Room 309

go.gwu.edu/careerservices What is a cover letter? A cover letter introduces your resume. No resume should be sent without one. Individualized to each position you apply. Reflects your knowledge of the employer’s needs.

go.gwu.edu/careerservices – Draws attention to your resume – Motivates interest/improves chance of interview offer – Introduces you to the organization – Demonstrates interest in company or specific vacancy Your cover letter…

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Types of cover letters Application LetterReferral Cover LetterLetter of Interest

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Types of cover letters Application Letter – Written to apply for a specific job opening Referral Cover Letter – Mentions the name of the person who referred you to the individual or job opening Letter of Interest – Prospecting letter, inquires about possible job openings at a company

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Is it different than a resume? RESUME COVER LETTER Facts about your experiences. Demonstrates how your “facts” meet requirements of job posting.

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Creating a cover letter 1. Research & Analyze 2. Outline 3. Draft & Edit 4. Proofread 5. Customize template Your next letter

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Before writing a draft Highlight job description requirements and qualifications and link to your top experiences Identify the type of cover letter Outline content by paragraph/edit/proofread Plan to follow format recommendations Create a template for future use

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Your Street Address City, State, Zip Code Line space* Today’s Date * Mr./Ms. Name of Person, Title Name of Company/Organization Street Address of Company/Organization City, State, Zip Code * Dear Mr./Ms. ___________: (last name) * FIRSTPARAGRAPH/INTRODUCTION: * SECOND/THIRD PARAGRAPHS/BODY: * FINAL PARAGRAPH/CLOSING: * Sincerely, 2-4 lines spaces Your Name Is there a standard format? 1 page/< 4 paragraphs Margins ~.5 to 1 inch Font: pt. Arial/Times Roman Single space within paragraph Double space between paragraphs/closing Left justify paragraphs

go.gwu.edu/careerservices How do I organize the letter? Conclusion Affirm Interest/Fit Contact InfoThank You Body Paragraph Connect 2-3 FACTS to job requirements and qualifications Introduction Introduction of self Why you are writing Statement

go.gwu.edu/careerservices More about each paragraph #1 INTRO Identify position and requirements State how you learned of the position/ or who referred Statement: Single sentence about candidacy match #2 BODY Present 2-3 most powerful experiences linked to employer’s requirements Include your relevant work and education. Use action verbs and numbers to “tell you story” #3 CLOSE Re-state interest in position Identify when you will follow up “Thank you for your time and consideration”

go.gwu.edu/careerservices How/what do I write? >> FIRST PARAGRAPH/INTRODUCTION – Identify why you are writing and position you seek – State name of referral or how you learned of position – Describe your interest in the position. Link to employer research, – State why you believe you are a qualified candidate >> SECOND PARAGRAPH/BODY Demonstrate the qualifications that match position description. “Tell your story” by highlighting your skills, accomplishments, and credentials in relation to the employer needs Use specific examples to support your “fit” with organization >> FINAL PARAGRAPH/CLOSING – State your desire for an interview and when you will follow up – Thank the reader for their time and consideration

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Tips for writing cover letters... Address each letter to an individual by name Be clear, concise and business-like. Avoid slang. Use action verbs/adjectives Start sentence with “I” < 2xs per paragraph Vary long sentences with short ones Perfect grammar, spelling and punctuation Do not repeat resume phrases

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Writing the “body” paragraph #1 Research Highlight key words in job description Research the company #2 Review Identify successes/ accomplishmen ts in your resume that demonstrate the qualifications highlighted in the job description #3 Select Choose 2-3 important points for your “body” paragraph

go.gwu.edu/careerservices “Requirements and qualifications” Job Qualification/DescriptionYour Experiences /Accomplishments per Resume EducationCommunications I graduated from GW with a B.A. in Communications and a GPA InterestDemocracy and Human Rights I wrote a 15-page research paper about human trafficking for an International Human Rights course which won the GW Undergraduate Research Writing Award ExperienceSocial Media Strategically utilize and manage Twitter, Facebook, and targeted blogs as outreach coordinator for the ESIA student organization ExperienceMicrosoft Office Suite I am proficient in the Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Experience Collaborate with Others Worked on a collaborative team of 5 to develop and implement communication outreach projects for GW student organization. ExperienceMeet tight deadlines Manage multiple competing deadlines successfully, including full academic load, student leadership duties, and intramural sports.

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Draft your cover letter template Review the grid to draft your cover letter Three paragraphs Notes, then draft, then complete Note active verbs Share with a partner Discuss together

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Today What would you like to learn? Purpose of cover letter and link to resume Format and types of cover letters Tips for writing cover letters Draft your cover letter Review and improve with partner Questions

go.gwu.edu/careerservices What do you think? Evaluate Today’s Program Check iPhone for link to program evaluation Have you learned from the program today? – I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with employers. – I have learned more about how to be a professional. Comments & Ideas

go.gwu.edu/careerservices GW's International Student Career Ambassador (ISCA) Program provides peer-to-peer career advising for all international students, including graduate/professional students across all degree programs. Drop-in hours: Monday - Thursday:* 10:00 am -7:00 pm (*Except Tuesday 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm), Friday:10:00 am - 4:00 pm Science and Engineering Hall (22nd & H Streets Entrance) Resource Rooms #1230 and #1240

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 505 Careerservices.gwu.edu Questions? Connect & engage with the GW Center for Career Services