1. Cover Letters September 23, 2013

2. Overview 4 main purposes: 1. Introduction to you and your skills, as well as how those skills can contribute to the organization 2. Explains which job you’re interested in and why 3. Convinces the reader you’re qualified by going into more detail about experiences highlighted in your résumé 4. Provides opportunity to request interview??

3. Opening Paragraph What belongs in the first paragraph? How you heard about the opening Contacts who have referred you The job you’re applying to Why you’re interested in the job Relate this to something you know about the company/organization!

4. Body Paragraphs Should be 1-2 body paragraphs What to say? 0 Examples of why you’re qualified for the job 0 Stay on topic – for example, one paragraph can focus on work experience and one on education 0 Give more detail than can be provided on a resume 0 Be as SPECIFIC as possible. “I have strong collaborative skills” is not specific enough! 0 Look at example pg. 598

5. Closing Paragraph 0 What do you write? 0 Thank the reader 0 Provide contact information for follow-up (“If you have any questions…” 0 Ask for an interview depending on the situation.

6. Video cover letters?! 0 Check out this video cover letter, and tell me what you think Alison does well and what she could work on: 0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSN08pOrmsE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSN08pOrmsE

7. Sample Cover Letters 0 Review the sample cover letters on pp. 600-601. Discuss the following questions with the person next to you: 0 How does the writer describe how he/she found the job opening? 0 How does the writer organize the paragraphs? 0 Is the writer specific enough about his/her work experiences? 0 How does the writer word his/her request for an interview? Do you find this appropriate? 0 How would you describe the tone of these letters? 0 What could be improved in these letters?

8. Activity 1. Get into groups of three. 2. I will hand you a job ad and resume. Read them carefully. 3. Write a cover letter applying to the job in question, using the resume you’ve been provided. (Pretend you are the person whose resume I’ve given you). This cover letter should be considered an email cover letter. (In other words, the job ad has asked you to submit a resume via email). 4. When complete, email the cover letter to me. You do *not* actually have to attach a resume. In the subject line of the email, please write the names of your three group members.