1. Writing a Professional Cover Letter
Office of Career Services
Emporia State University
433 S. Morse Hall Ph
Opening Questions
How many of you have written cover letters?
Was it easy? Difficult?

2. Today’s Program 4 steps to writing effective cover letters
3 sections of a cover letter
3 types of letters
PRACTICE

3. First, did you know…?
Most resumes are accompanied by cover letters and should not be folded.
Cover letters are typically read in less than one minute.
Typos can exclude a candidate immediately.
HR professionals prefer personalized letters.
Most people mail cover letters and resumes, but HR professionals prefer .
Most candidates do NOT research the company before applying: BIG MISTAKE
The Society for Human Resource Management Survey (1999)

4. Step #1: Understand the Purpose of a Cover Letter
Introduces
Focuses
Explains
Highlights
Matches
Demonstrates
Projects
HIRED!
The cover letter is a warm handshake to your resume and can make the difference between you and the closest competition.
Cover letter represents the future, resume is past
Focuses on the employer, resume focuses on you
Explains why you are writing and WHY YOU SHOULD BE HIRED!
Highlights and summarizes your experiences in a narrative way
Highlights key experiences from your resume
Matches your skills with employer needs – Directly addresses your reviewers interests
Demonstrates:
Quality of your writing
Ability to organize and communicate information
What you think is most important
Projects the next step
●I look forward to a personal interview to discuss how I can complement the needs of (employer)
●I will contact you next week to discuss how I can contribute to (employer).
Gets you the interview=Gets you the job

5. Step #2 Research the Company
Products and Services
Growth Plans
History of the position (newly created/high turnover?)
Mission and Values Statement
Deficiencies your experience addresses
Fresh perspectives you can bring to the position

6. Step #3: Organize Your Search
Who are you again?
Strategies that work
This happens all the time. An employer calls you for an interview and you don’t recognize the name and don’t know what you sent them. Don’t let this happen to you. Organize your search professionally!
Strategies that work:
Excel spreadsheet
Hard copies of all documents in file folders including cover letter, job description, company literature
Electronic file folder labeled for each company’s name
Popup reminders on your electronic calendar for which employers you agreed to call that day.
What other ideas do you have?
Job Search Schedule

7. Step #4: Compose the Letters
Three Sections
Establish purpose for writing
Highlight your qualifications
State plan of action
Between 3-5 paragraphs in length.

8. Section 1 State the position
State referrals or other connections to the company
Briefly market qualifications

9. Example #1
I would like to apply for the staff accountant position as advertised with Emporia State University Career Services this week. Based on my knowledge of your company, I am particularly interested in Levering and Associates’ expertise in corporate accounting and law. These areas were significant topics in my graduate research and internship.

10. Example #2
Dr. Susan Dollar, a colleague of yours and Director of Career Services at Emporia State University, recommended that I contact you regarding the position of Human Resources Generalist at Hopkins Manufacturing. I believe my experience and education in human resource management are an excellent match for this position.

11. Section 2 Make the match Highlight specific qualities
Candidate skills = Employer needs
Highlight specific qualities
Summarize and market experience
As a professional in both profit and non-profit settings, I have successfully identified, contrasted, and addressed the needs unique to each setting.
Picture yourself there
Based on my demonstrated success in management and market forecasting, I believe I can enhance Koch Industries’ goal of becoming the world’s leading producer of energy and consumer products.
Section 2 can be 1-3 paragraphs in length. Remember: clear and concise
Make the match
Specifically state how your experience directly meets the employer’s needs
Highlight specific qualities
Do not simply restate your resume
Ex.
Devote one paragraph to each salient point.

12. T-Letter Format You want/ I have format You Want: I have:
Budget experience Managed annual budget of $30,000
Coursework in Economics B.S. in Math and Economics
Computer literacy Academic Minor in Computer Science
Web Design 12 credit hours of web design coursework

13. Section 3
Restate why you are right for the position AND for the organization.
State the plan of action. What’s next?

14. 3 Types of Cover Letters Application Letter Prospecting Letter
Networking Letter

15. Application Letter Response to a posted job opening. Cold Contact
Sample Application Letter

16. Prospecting Letter
Identify desirable companies and contact them regardless of posted job openings.
Sample Prospecting Letter

17. Networking Letter
Letter sent directly to a warm contact, either someone you know, a connection to someone you know, or if someone has recommended you contact this person.
May or may not be positions open.
Sample Networking Letter

18. Sources Cited
Farr, J.M. (2000). The Quick Resume and Cover Letter Book, 2nd Edition. JIST Works, Indianapolis, IN.
Kennedy, J.L. (2000). Cover Letters for Dummies, 2nd Edition. IDG Books Worldwide Inc., Foster City, CA.
National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2005). Job Choices for Business & Liberal Arts Students. NACE Publications, Bethlehem, PA

19. It’s Your Turn