1. Cover Letters Your first impression – make it good!

2. What Is a Cover Letter? A cover letter introduces you to a prospective employer, expresses your interest in and qualifications for a position.

3. What Does a Good Cover Letter Accomplish A good cover letter captures the reader’s interest It begins the process of “selling” yourself to the prospective employer It demonstrates your interest and knowledge of the company

4. Format No longer than one typed page Three Parts  Why you are sending your resume  How your qualifications match the job  Conclusion Begin each paragraph with a clear topic sentence

5. Introductory Paragraph Your first paragraph should:  Get the reader’s attention  Stimulate interest  Be appropriate for the job you are seeking  Make your goal clear to readers My name is Jane Smith, and I am currently enrolled as a sophomore in Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Virginia. Upon graduation, I will receive an advanced diploma. I am currently searching for employment as a dance instructor, and I have been informed your company is the leader of the industry. In researching your website, I see that I have many commonalities with your employees and believe myself to hold many of the qualifications that you desire in an employee. For these reasons, I am highly interested in an interview, and I would love to tell you more about my past dance experience, both as a personal volunteer instructor and as a dancer.

6. The Body Paragraphs Highlight your strongest qualifications Match qualifications to the position you are seeking Demonstrate how your skills and qualities will benefit the employer Refer to your enclosed resume for more detail Previous experiences have contributed to my extensive knowledge of being a dance instructor and the responsibilities that come with it. While dancing with the Miami City Ballet, I was constantly being pushed to perform at my best. That motivation, combined with my skill, allowed me to secure several roles in the Miami City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Those years of success with the ballet company led to my pursuit of being a private volunteer dance instructor to many children in the area, ages five to ten. Currently, I am participating as a dancer on the Dance Team at Battlefield High School. Being surrounded by people as motivating as myself has encouraged me to strive for a higher position that will one day help me in my goals to be a professional dancer.

7. Use Clear Active Language Use concrete words to describe your experience and results Use present tense to discuss current activities and past tense for previous job duties or accomplishments Be as specific as possible in descriptions Examples I organized and advertised a conference… Attendance increased by 25% Developed menus for members of a senior center Designed the web page for our local food bank

8. Concluding Your Letter Attached is my resume and contact information, including my email address, janesmith@gmail.com, and telephone number, (571) 255-5555, which are the best ways to contact me. Thank you for taking the time to consider me for a position at your company, I will follow up with you in two weeks to see if you need any further information regarding my qualifications. I look forward to hearing from you.janesmith@gmail.com Conclude 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

9. Summary First  Explain why you are sending a resume  Tell how you learned about the position or the organization (a job posting at your school, a website, an individual who works at the organization)  Convince the reader to look at your resume Second  Focus on elements of your background (education, work experience, activities) that are relevant to a position you are seeking  Give one or two specific examples. Indicate your positive qualities (attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills)  Provide any information that was requested in the job posting that might not be covered in your resume (e.g. availability date or including a writing sample )

10. Third  Indicate your desire for an interview “I look forward to hearing from you.“  Say you will follow up Thank you for taking the time to consider me for a position at your company, I will follow up with you in two weeks to see if you need any further information regarding my qualifications.

11. Check List Proofread  Spelling  Grammar  Typos Use same paper as your resume  Good letter quality  No designs or colors Signature  Full name  Write neatly Make sure both the resume and letter are enclosed

12. 15555 Real Address Gainesville VA 20155 March 20, 2015 _____ Dance Academy 15200 Real Address Haymarket VA 20169 Dear _____ Dance Academy, My name is Student Name, and I am currently enrolled as a sophomore in Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Va. Upon graduation, I will receive an advanced diploma. I am currently searching for employment as a dance instructor, and I have been informed your company is the leader of the industry. In researching your website, I see that I have many commonalities with your employees and believe myself to hold many of the qualifications that you desire in an employee. For these reasons, I am highly interested in an interview, and I would love to tell you more about my past dance experience, both as a personal volunteer instructor and as a dancer. Previous experiences have contributed to my extensive knowledge of being a dance instructor and the responsibilities that come with it. While dancing with the Miami City Ballet, I was constantly being pushed to perform at my best. That motivation, combined with my skill, allowed me to secure several roles in the Miami City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Those years of success with the ballet company led to my pursuit of being a private volunteer dance instructor to many children in the area, ages five to ten. Currently, I am participating as a dancer on the Dance Team at Battlefield High School. Being surrounded by people as motivating as myself has encouraged me to strive for a higher position that will one day help me in my goals to be a professional dancer. Attached is my resume and contact information, including my email address, emailhereplease@yahoo.com, and telephone number, (571) 255-5555, which are the best ways to contact me. Thank you for taking the time to consider me for a position at your company, and I look forward to hearing from you.emailhereplease@yahoo.com Regards, 15555 Real Address Gainesville VA 20155 March 20, 2016 Incredible Dance Academy 15200 Real Address Haymarket VA 20169 Dear Incredible Dance Academy, My name is Jane Smith, and I am currently enrolled as a sophomore in Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Va. Upon graduation, I will receive an advanced diploma. I am currently searching for employment as a dance instructor, and I have been informed your company is the leader of the industry. In researching your website, I see that I have many commonalities with your employees and believe myself to hold many of the qualifications that you desire in an employee. For these reasons, I am highly interested in an interview, and I would love to tell you more about my past dance experience, both as a personal volunteer instructor and as a dancer. Previous experiences have contributed to my extensive knowledge of being a dance instructor and the responsibilities that come with it. While dancing with the Miami City Ballet, I was constantly being pushed to perform at my best. That motivation, combined with my skill, allowed me to secure several roles in the Miami City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Those years of success with the ballet company led to my pursuit of being a private volunteer dance instructor to many children in the area, ages five to ten. Currently, I am participating as a dancer on the Dance Team at Battlefield High School. Being surrounded by people as motivating as myself has encouraged me to strive for a higher position that will one day help me in my goals to be a professional dancer. Attached is my resume and contact information, including my email address, janesmith@gmail.com, and telephone number, (571) 255-5555, which are the best ways to contact me. Thank you for taking the time to consider me for a position at your company, and I look forward to hearing from you.janesmith@gmail.com Regards, Jane Smith