1. Ag Employability Skills Resumes Cover Letters- Tips & Mistakes

2. What is a cover letter? An introduction, sales pitch, and a proposal for further action all in one

3. Why a cover letter? It can reveal many things about you. Such as…. –How well you communicate –Brief experience & qualifications –Professionalism –Clues to your personality –Your attention to detail

4. Things to think about before writing a cover letter. 1) What does the employer need? 2) What are your objectives? 3) What are 3-5 qualities you offer? 4) How does your experience match the job? 5) Why do you want to work for them?

5. Parts of a cover letter Opening –who you are –why you are writing –how you found out about the job

6. Parts of a cover letter Sales pitch –reasons why you would be a good candidate –brief overview of your qualifications

7. Parts of a cover letter Flattery –why you want to work for them –needs to be specific to the particular employer

8. Parts of a cover letter Request for further action –open the door for further contact –mention you will follow up with a phone call or e-mail –be assertive, but courteous

9. Tips Target specific employer Focus on what you can offer Convey focused career goals Avoid any negative statements Don’t ramble

10. Tips Be able to back up what you say Stick to 1 page Absolutely no typos or errors Let others proofread the letter Keep copies & record when sent

11. Mistakes Not clear Unprofessional looking Overly aggressive Addressed to wrong person Poor typing / poor quality paper

12. Mistakes No follow up statement Handwritten Errors- spelling & grammar Too long