1. Cover Letters Purpose When applying for jobs, many employers require a cover letter accompanied by a resume. A cover letter should complement, not restate the information on your resume. It is intended to interpret the data- oriented, factual resume, add a personal touch, and exhibit your personality. A cover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, and therefore creates the very critical first impression. A great cover letter can set your resume apart from hundreds of applicants and determine whether or not you will be called for an interview.

2. Cover Letters Qualities of an effective letter Effective cover letters explain why you are writing; identify your most relevant skills and experiences; and outline what you have to offer to the organization. Cover letters should be direct and to the point. Your letter should contain skills and experiences that set you apart from other applicants and convince the employer you would be a valuable asset to his or her team.

3. Cover Letters Nuts and Bolts of Your Portfolio Cover Letter Your Senior Portfolio will include a cover letter, addressed to Ms. Ellen Beckman-Jones, Head Counselor. Since you will soon be applying for jobs, experience writing and creating cover letters will be valuable. For this particular cover letter please include the following information: Paragraph 1:Why are you writing? -Be concise; be clear. You could include such phrases as, “…approval of senior portfolio”, “…to graduate from high school and begin to pursue a career in…”

4. Cover Letters Nuts and Bolts of Your Portfolio Cover Letter Paragraph 2:What do you have to offer? Convince the portfolio evaluators that you have acquired the necessary skills required for high school graduation. You may elaborate on components of your resume, or work samples included in your portfolio (in some instances this section could be divided into two paragraphs). Explain steps you have taken during high school to prepare for the future. Indicate how experiences at BCMHS have influenced your future plans (i.e. lessons learned, classes taken, opportunities, activities, friendships made, teachers, etc). Point out your talents, accomplishments, and experience(s) that indicate you are ready to pursue a career or post- secondary education.

5. Cover Letters Nuts and Bolts of Your Portfolio Cover Letter Paragraph 3:What are your immediate future plans? When writing to prospective employers, this section will usually include how you will follow up. A phone call? A personal meeting? However, for the purposes of this cover letter, your final paragraph must include a brief description of your immediate plans following high school – covering at least the next five (5) years. Describe your academic or vocational vision following high school graduation. Briefly list the steps necessary you must take, after high school, to make your vision become reality. This will serve as a lead-in to your statement of future plans where you will go into much further detail. This paragraph does not need to be more than 6-8 sentences.

6. Cover Letters Nuts and Bolts of Your Portfolio Cover Letter Paragraph 4:A brief closing Again, be concise and polite. You could include such phrases as, “.I anticipate your enthusiastic approval of my portfolio”, or “…I look forward to my high school graduation and beginning the next phase of my life…”

7. Cover Letters A few more “Cover Letter Musts” Your Cover Letter must: Be no longer than the front of one page. Be word-processed following the accepted cover letter format. Be addressed to Ms Ellen Beckman-Jones, Head Counselor. Be checked for spelling and grammatical errors. Be signed.