Cover Letters

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Cover Letters

• by Adrian ODonnell
• Lado Management Consultants

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Contents

• Purpose
• Layout
• Content
• Writing

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Purpose

• Clarify what employers want to know
• Can you handle the responsibilities of the job?
• Do you enjoy your work?
• Are you a professional and will you fit in?

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Why Cover Letters are so Important

1. The cover letter is the first thing an employer
   sees.
2. Stand out from the crowd in a positive, exciting
   way to ensure you are the one employers are
   determined to hire.
3. Get the employer excited about the resume.
4. Targeting a resume and cover letter is essential
   in todays competitive environment
5. Part of the whole package that WILL encourage an
   employer to want to get to know you better.

5
Layout

• Use paragraphs
• Paragraph 1 - introduction
• Paragraph 2 - support
• Paragraph 3 - summary of suitability
• Paragraph 4 - desire for an interview

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Content

• The job you are applying for
• How you found out about the job
• Why you are interested in the position
• What qualifies you to do the work
• Examples of related achievements
• A closing summary of your qualifications
• Your desire to meet for an interview

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Writing Your Cover Letter

• What if I'm Not a Good Writer?
• Think about what is most important to convey.
• Concentrate on getting your thoughts on paper.
• Revise the sentences later.

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Writing Your Cover Letter

• What Achievements should I Include?
• - Look at the job announcement for which you
  are applying.
• What made you interested.
• Why do you feel you are qualified?
• Write the reasons in a short bullet list.

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Writing Your Cover Letter

• How is it Supposed to Look?
• Make sure that the header matches your resume.
• Header includes your name and contact
  information.
• Make it visually appealing and easy to read.
• Do not exceed one page!

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Writing Your Cover Letter

• How to Customize The Cover Letter?
• Find out what that particular company's history
  is.
• Find out what the position entails.
• Find out what their future plans are.
• Include the company's name in your cover letter.
  along with the position you are applying for.

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Tips for Writing Cover Letters

• Avoid negatives
• - dont mention why you left a job
• Do not start every sentence with I.
• Be clear and succinct.
• Leave a space between paragraphs.
• Use Formal or Neutral language.
• Be Proactive.

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Cover Letter Checklist

1. Use the same paper that you use for your resume.
2. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread.
3. Keep the letter to one page.
4. Ensure the name of the person addressed in the
   letter is spelled correctly and that you have
   his/her correct title.
5. Demonstrate that you have researched the company
   by including some information in one or more of
   your sentences.
6. Sign the cover letter with a blue or black ink
   pen.
7. Use clear and concise sentences.
8. Sell yourself.
9. Ensure your letter is an original and not a copy
   and printed on good/quality printer.

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Opening

• Dear Mr./Ms. _______,
• I am applying for the position of ________, which
  was posted in ____.
• Dear Sir or Madam,
• I would like to apply for a position in the
  ______ Department of your

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Showing Requirements of Job

• Your Requirements
• Responsible for evening operations in Student
  Center and other facilities, including managing
  registration, solving customer problems, dealing
  with risk management and emergencies, enforcement
  of department policies.
• Assist with hiring, training, and management of
  staff. Coordinate statistics and inventory.
• Experience in the supervision of student staff
  and strong interpersonal skills are also
  preferred.
• Valid driver's license with good driving record.
  Ability to travel to different sites required.
• Experience in collegiate programming and
  management.

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Showing Qualifications

• My Qualifications
• Register students for courses, design and manage
  program software, solve customer problems,
  enforce department policies, and serve as a
  contact for students, faculty, and staff.
• Hiring, training, scheduling and management of
  staff, managing supply inventory, and ordering.
• Clean international driver's license.
• Extensive experience in collegiate programming
  and management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  

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Dealing with Salary

• My salary requirements are in the range of
  ----- to ------, depending upon the duties and
  requirements of the position plus the overall
  benefit package offered.
• If the advertisement is silent on salary
  requirement or relocation, never include such
  information!

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Closing your cover letter

• I appreciate your taking the time to review
  my credentials and experience. Again, thank you
  for your consideration.
• Yours Sincerely, Your Signature (Typed
  Name)

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Sample Cover Letter (unedited)

• Tom Jones,1234, West 67 Street,Cardiff, CA
  01741,(123)-456 7890.
• Date 1st November, 2009.
• Mr. George Bush,National
  Solutions,257, Park Avenue South,New York, NY
  12345-6789.
• Dear Mr. Bush,
•        I am writing with reference to your
  advertisement in the local Employment News
  magazine for want of a Software Developer. I
  consider that my credentials and interests match
  with your requirement and want to apply for the
  same.
•        Presently I am deputed as an assistant
  at ABC for the last two years. During these years
  I have acquired a very good knowledge of Web
  technologies (Perl CGI, PHP). My responsibility
  includes providing back end support for the
  distributed applications and guiding new trainees
  through their jobs.
•        Although I am enjoying my present job, I
  am looking out for new opportunities in the same
  field. I will be contacting you on Friday, 12th
  November, to arrange a personal meeting and
  discuss the prospect.
• Sincerely,
• Tom Jones.
• Enclosures1. Resume - myresume.doc

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Sample Internship Cover Letter (unedited)

• Jerry Chen123 Yanji Street,Taipei 110
  00,[phone].
• Date 11 November, 2009.
• Mr. Andreas Schmidt,National Marketing
  Inc.,257, Roosevelt Rd, Sec1,Taipei 120-789.
• Dear Mr. Schmidt,
•         My unique mix of previous work
  experience and my status as a National University
  business student in my junior year studying
  marketing, make me an ideal candidate for a
  summer internship with National Marketing Inc.
•        My experience in sales and customer
  relationship management, combined with my courses
  in marketing, has convinced me that hospitality
  marketing is a career option I would like to
  explore.
•         More importantly, an internship with
  National Marketing Inc., would be mutually
  beneficial. Your company has an excellent
  reputation for customer satisfaction, and I know
  that the combination of my experience, education,
  and motivation to excel will make me an asset to
  your marketing department.
•         I am sure that it would be worthwhile
  for us to meet. I will contact you within a week
  to arrange a meeting. Should you have any
  questions before that time, you may reach me via
  phone [phone]) or via email
  (jerrychen_at_ntut.edu.com.tw).
•        Thank you for your time and
  consideration.
• Sincerely,
• Jerry Chen, Business Management, National
  Taipei University of Technology.

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Sample Recent Graduate Cover Letter

• Dear Mr _____,
• I am writing to apply for the position of
  Media Relations Manager. ___ is a fast-moving
  global institution and an outstanding
  communications pioneer, now poised to guide the
  direction of print journalism.
• As a recent graduate of the National Taipei
  University of Technology with significant
  experience in finance, administration and media,
  I bring the energy and commitment to excellence
  necessary to thrive in ____'s innovative
  environment.
• As the current Media Relations Coordinator
  of the XYZ company, I am a practiced business
  liaison and an able administrator. These
  strengths, combined with deep and varied
  employment and internship experience as a
  journalist and media consultant with ABC and DEF,
  prepare me to make a strong and immediate impact
  at ____.
• I am excited about the opportunity to join
  the ___ team as it moves to the center of the
  print media conversation. Thank you for your time
  and consideration.
• Sincerely,

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Writing Follow Up Letters

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Successful Interview Follow Up Letter

• 5 TIPS
• Write the Follow-Up Letter Immediately
• Include an Incident That Occurred at the
  Interview
• Write to Every Interviewer
• Show Your Awareness Of Company Culture
• Write in a Positive Tone

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First paragraph

• Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet
  with you and remind him/her of the position for
  which you interviewed

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Second paragraph

• Reiterate your sincere interest in the position
  and company.
• Mention something you learned from the interview
  or comment on something of importance that you
  discussed This will make you stand out from the
  other applicants.
• Emphasize your strengths, experiences, skills,
  and accomplishments. Tweak them towards the
  points that the interviewer considered the most
  important for the position. 

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Third Paragraph

• Thank the interviewer for his/her time and
  consideration. If you feel it is appropriate,
  close with a suggestion for next steps (e.g. a
  second interview), or mention that you plan to
  follow up with a phone call in a few days.

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Sample Initial Interview Thank You Letter

• 40Minzu E.Rd Sec.2Taipei 150 12(02)
  555-1111boles_at_ntu.edu
• May 26, 2009
• Ms. Joyce ChangHuman Resources
  ManagerSogo Department Store200 ZhongXiao East
  RdTaipei 110 00
• Dear Ms. Chang,
• I enjoyed interviewing with you during
  your recruiting visit to NTUT on May 25. The
  management trainee program you outlined sounds
  both challenging and rewarding and I look forward
  to your decision concerning an on-site visit.
• As mentioned during the interview, I
  will be graduating in June with a Bachelors
  degree in Fashion Merchandising. Through my
  education and experience I have gained many
  skills, as well as an understanding of retailing
  concepts and dealing with the general public. I
  have worked five years in the retail industry in
  various positions from Salesclerk to Assistant
  Department Manager. I think my education and work
  experience would complement Sogos management
  trainee program.
• I have enclosed a copy of my college
  transcript and a list of references that you
  requested.
• Thank you again for the opportunity to
  interview with Sogo Department Store. The
  interview served to reinforce my strong interest
  in becoming a part of your management team. I can
  be reached at [phone] or by email at
  boles_at_ntu.edu should you need additional
  information.
• Sincerely,
• Marianne Boles

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Sample Thank You For On-Site Interview

• Dear Ms. Lee,
• Thank you for the opportunity to visit
  with you and see your facilities last Wednesday.
  Both the interview and the tour made for an
  exciting and complete day.
• I was particularly impressed with your
  warehousing procedures.  Mr. Hu was so thorough
  in explaining your process to me, and I will be
  corresponding directly with him to express my
  appreciation. Incidentally, the process you use
  is quite similar to one I have been researching
  through an independent study this term. Perhaps I
  can share my final report with you and Mr. Hu.
• The expense report you requested is
  enclosed.
• Again, thank you for your hospitality
  during my visit and for all your efforts to
  arrange my visit. Having seen your operation, I
  am all the more enthused about the career
  opportunity that Lin Computers and Electronics
  offers. I look forward to your decision.
• Sincerely,
• Vicky Wang