1. Cover Letter
ELL 3044

2. Warmup Questions
Have you ever written a cover letter? What company / position was it for?
What’s the difference between a cover letter and a resume (and an application)?
Why should you write a cover letter?
Vocabulary - Review the underlined vocabulary with your group. What do these words mean?

3. Vocabulary
to be assertive – to be confident and bold without being aggressive or passive
an applicant / a candidate – a person who applies for a position / a person who has a possibility to be chosen for a position
impersonal – showing no emotion
to highlight – to emphasize, to stress

4. Vocabulary make it count – make it important so that it will help you
to enclose / a paper is enclosed – to contain
to be enclosed – to contain; especially in an envelope or a letter
regarding – what is the letter about? what is the letter concerning? what is the letter’s theme?
vacancy – an opening (availability)

5. Quiz 1. How long should cover letters be? a page (3/4 paragraphs)
What document do you send along with a cover letter?
your resume (CV)
Can’t I just send my resume???
No!!! Skipping a cover letter could show the employer you are lazy. A cover letter can show you that you are a good match (skills matching) for that particular job. You can grab the employer’s attention.

6. What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you send to an employer with your resume.
A cover letter acts as a bridge between your resume and the job advertisement. It allows you to connect your skills to what the job advertisement is looking for.
A good cover letter not only explains which job you are applying for and why you think you would be a good applicant, but also who you are as an individual (strengths for this job).
It is important because it gives you the opportunity to talk more in depth about some of the skills and experiences on your resume that are applicable to the job you are applying for.

7. Difference between a cover letter and a resume and an application
highlight specific skills you have for that job
if it is done correctly your resume will look much better
a cover letter allows you to also highlight your personality which matches the position – a resume or an application does not have sections where applicants can highlight their personality

8. i. Who is she? address? phone? email?
ii. How is her address written?
iii. What position is she applying for? Where is the job?
iv. After her salutation (Dear…), what comes next? Does she use a comma , or a colon : ?
v. Can I use “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”
vi. What does “RE:” mean?
vii. What does “ENC:” mean?
viii. Did she indent the paragraphs?
ix. Difference between paragraph 2/3?
x. What does the last paragraph contain?
xi. Why does she type her name under her signature?

9. label the parts of the cover letter
Label the cover letter. Include these parts… today’s date applicant’s address employer’s address introductory statement introduction body conclusion concluding statement signature name enclosed: resume,… what the letter is regarding

10. Basics (beginning) Date (North American vs European)
Your name, your title / phone & / address
Address (small to big)
The employer’s contact info (name, person’s title, company, address – small to big)
If you know the person you could write…
Dear Mr. Kim: or Dear Ms. Lee, (title):
If you don’t know the person you could write…
To Whom It May Concern: OR Dear Sir / Madam:
Dear Hiring Manager:
Dear Head of Customer Service:

11. Introduction What is your name? What position are you applying for?
What are you applying for this job now? Did you move?
Did someone recommend you?
Where did you find the job advertisement?
Always be positive – I have enjoyed my 14 years of teaching…

12. Idea Don’t make introductions too long!!! Who are you?
What position are you applying for?
What is your goal?

13. Body
Your experience
Your skills / value / qualifications - …when I began teaching there in 1997, there were 35 teachers but 31 of them quit or retired. I did not.
…I could have moved on and taught at an easier school I continued working there…
…There were many gangs and fights…
…I have coached students…

14. Idea Don’t repeat your resume!!!
You don’t have to repeat everything you say in your resume (every job) but instead talk about things you can’t in your resume.
ex. Why is a high TOEIC score good?
ex. What can you do with your computer license?
ex. You worked at your old job for a long, long time…what does that tell me about you?
Your employer will want to read your resume.

15. Idea Make sure to organize your thinking.
Don’t jump from one idea to another idea.
1 paragraph - experience,
1 paragraph - skills
Why are your skills needed for the job being advertised?
Your personality or skills should be suited to the job (an accountant – organized; a salesperson – outgoing)

16. Conclusion Interest …I am very interested in working with you…
Contact info again – & phone
Please contact me
…Feel free to contact me if you have any questions…
…don’t hesitate to contact me…
Be thankful
…Thank you very much for your time…

17. Idea Instead of these… Maybe we will speak soon…
I think I will contact you…
I wish to hear from you…
I really hope you will call me…
Be more assertive
I look forward to hearing from you…
I will contact you next week…

18. Basics (ending) Concluding statement Sincerely, Regards, Yours truly,
Signature
Typed name
Enclosed: Resume Enc: Resume

19. More tips: Neat and clean Same font, same font size No indents
Spelling / grammar mistakes
Concise (time is money)
Positive and Assertive
Research (who? what? why?)
Personalize – different cover letters for different jobs
Don’t repeat your resume
Sell yourself

20. Cover Letter Critique What is wrong with the cover letter on page 6?
Try to find 5 mistakes (with your group members)

21. Cover Letter Mistakes impersonal (Dear Hiring Manager)
no position stated in introduction
informal: Hello! How are you?
inconsistent – Jeonnam vs Chonnam
avoid confident language
I think…Maybe…
I wish to work at your company
not interested in the company
I found your advertisement in the newspaper
random indenting, formatting
informal smiley faces at the bottom
unusual reasons
I am 24 so I think I will fit in your company.

22. Cover Letter Mistakes talking about their resume too much
I studied in marketing in….
I worked here for…
My qualifications are detailed in my resume…
not highlighting their skills
using friends as references
My friends say I am organized…
no contact information
informal conclusion
Goodbye!

23. Cover Letter Assignment
Write one cover letter in response to one job shown
Don’t forget to include all parts of the cover letter
Try to write it honestly, as if you were applying to a real job – however, if you wish to lie, I will not check your qualifications

24. Cover Letter Assignment
Due: Oct 11 / 12 – in class
Format: Single spacing, 12-point, legible font
Length: One page (3-4 paragraphs)
Score: 5%
Don’t forget to spell check. Ask a friend (or writing lab) to check your spelling and grammar.
Consistent formatting
Watch out for plagiarism!!!
Don’t copy my example with your information!!!
Any plagiarism will result in a score of 0.
Use the jobs provided on the handout!!!