Planning 10 The Job Search: Cover Letters Your LogoYour own footer

How to write an effective Cover Letter. Today’s Agenda Your Logo How to introduce yourself & your resume. Obtaining the interview. Components/Parts of a cover letter. Highlighting ways your strengths will benefit the reader. How long should a cover letter be??? ✓

BingleyPlanning 10 Its all about selling yourself to the employer.Its all about selling yourself to the employer. -In many ways your cover letter is a sales letter. -A way to sell your talents & skills in a formal document to the prospective employer. Your job is to write a letter that will be out the competition. Your job is to write a letter that will be out the competition. My goal is to help you create a persuasive cover letter than you can use in applying for your first job opportunity. Persuasive Cover Letter

There is some disagreement on this in the HR profession. How long should a cover letter be? BingleyPlanning 10 Other HR professionals prefer a longer cover letter that supplies more information about. Like to have the ability to evaluate a candidate’s qualifications & gauge his/her personality. They argue that hiring employees is very time consuming & expensive. The extra data can guide them in making the best choice the 1 st time. Other Viewpoint: Detailed Cover Letter Some HR professionals prefer short letters with NO MORE THAN 4 PARAGRAPHS. They feel that the cover letter should be an introduction to the resume. One Viewpoint: Short Cover Letter 2 2 1

Your own footerYour Logo 3 Components of a Cover Letter 1 1 Should get attention of the reader in knowing what you are about & what you can offer their company. Opening/Greeting Should build interest & reduce any resistance/concerns that the employer may have about you. Persuasive Body 33 Closing should motivate action on the employers part to want to contact you for an interview. Closing 2

What to include… 1) Opening of a Cover Letter (1 st Paragraph) BINGLEY=SWAG 1 1 Opening of a Cover Letter The first step in gaining interest of your reader is again putting your name in large font at the top along with your contact information. Address that individual by his/her name. Spend the time by contacting the business to find this out. It looks better than addressing a letter HR Manager, or Personnel Director. Doing this creates a personal touch & distinguishes your letter & shows your serious interest.

When you have a contact who gave you info about a job opportunity. Direct Method Opening… BINGLEY=SWAG 1 1 Opening of a Cover Letter cont’d…. How you open your cover letter depends largely on whether your resume is for a job that is solicited or unsolicited. If a position has been announced you can use a more direct method. DIRECT METHOD If you heard about a job from a friend. Refer to the name of the employee in the company. If you know someone who works at the company mention their name in your letter.

When you just read/hear about a job opening…. Indirect Method Opening BINGLEY=SWAG 1 1 Opening of a Cover Letter cont’d…. How you open your cover letter depends largely on whether your resume is for a job that is direct or indirect. If a position has been announced you can use a more direct method. IN- DIRECT METHOD If you are answering an advertisement from radio/newspaper etc… Refer to the name & date of the publication. Include the exact position being advertised.

What are the essentials??? 2) Body of Cover Letter (2 nd & 3 rd Paragraphs) BINGLEY 2 2 THE BODY OF COVER LETTER FOR BOTH METHODS: After you have stated where/how you heard about the job opportunity your 2 nd & 3 RD paragraphs should include the following: Relate your remarks to a specific position. Demonstrate an interest & knowledge of the reader’s business. Build interest & reduce resistance for the employer. Show how your special talents/skills will benefit the company: Work Experience Volunteering Education Skills Training. 2 2 THE BODY OF COVER LETTER FOR BOTH METHODS: Tell them what you can do for their organization. This is more important than telling them what courses you have taken or what duties you had on your previous job. They are wanting to know your skills. Choose your strongest qualifications & show them how they fit the targeted job. Students should focus on spotlighting their education & its practical applications. BEST BETTER NOT GOOD “ I HAVE COMPLETED COURSES IN MARKETING, ACCOUNTING & BCA 11.” “ Courses in business education have helped me develop my business & knowledge towards working in a retail store.” “ Because you seek a entry level book-keeper for your accounting department, I am submitting an excel document of mine that shows my ability to create different types of financial documents.”

What are the essentials??? 2) Body of Cover Letter 2 & 3 Paragraphs BINGLEY=SWAG 2 2 THE BODY OF COVER LETTER FOR BOTH METHODS: You will also want to discuss your relevant personal traits. Employers are looking for candidates who are: Team players Responsible Show initiative Learn quick Loyal etc... Finally, in this section you should refer the reader to your resume. Do so directly or as a part of another statement.

Your own footerYour Logo After presenting your case, you should conclude with a spur to action. This is where you ask for the interview. Never ask for the job!!! In requesting an interview, suggest reader benefits or review your strongest points. Sound sincere & appreciative. Remember to make it easy for the reader to agree by supplying your telephone number & the best times to contact you. It is also ok to contact HR to inquire about job position. 3) Closing Your Cover Letter What to put in the FINAL paragraph

Your own footerYour Logo This is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. tThis is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. This is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. This is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. This is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. This is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. This is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. tThis is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. This is an example text. Go ahead and replace it with your own text. Your own sub headline Templates 22 This is placeholder text. Avoid using “I” dominance.Avoid using “I” dominance. Make sure you sign yourMake sure you sign your cover letter. cover letter. Your resume must look veryYour resume must look very clean & professional. clean & professional. Make sure you print on theMake sure you print on the same paper as your resume. same paper as your resume.

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