What’s the Point of a Cover Letter?

Introduce yourself
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Cover letters should carry a message about you Project the desired image of you or your business
As a member of one of the fastest growing publishing houses in the world, do you have an opening in your acquisitions department for a recent college graduate with a major in English and publishing and editing experience?
What you offer them
What happens now/next
I look forward to discussing my background with your recruiting team when you come to interview this month. It is easiest to contact me via email or at the number listed above. I am in class Monday through Friday from 10 am until 2 pm each day. If I am unable to answer please feel free to leave a message and I will return your call as quickly as possible. Thank you for considering me for an internship at A Super Employer. I will contact you early next week to determine how we should proceed.
Cover Letter Sample
Ima Good Student
Your Contact Date Info
Contact Info Greeting Introduction
800 North University Avenue #22220 Provo, Utah 84601 801 555-5555


Get you noticed
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Convey special information Highlight accomplishments Get employers, award judges and scholarship committees to read your resume
Stylish Cover Letters
Cover Letters: Selling your skills on paper
The Career Place
Connecting Workers and Employers
What is a cover letter?

Your formal introduction

The first read, it can make or break your entry
Helpful Hints: Nhomakorabea
Be assertive – the first 20 words are the most important Value to employer – tell your story in relation to how you can be of value to the employer Use simple and direct language and grammar Let your letter reflect your individuality Send it to someone by name Get it right – spell recipient’s name right Be friendly, not pushy Target your letter – tell your reasons for sending the letter, for example, desiring an interview

A ‘must’ with your resume
What is a cover letter?

A way to introduce yourself and your resume

Your opportunity to say why you are the right person for the job A chance to talk about skills that relate to the job that are not on your resume
Solicited Application Letters
letter of application


Solicited application letters are letters written in response to an advertised job opening. It is appropriate to mention where you learned of the opening in the first paragraph.
July 15, 2009 Jane Q. Recruiter, Employment Manager ASuper Employer 123 Broad Street New York City, NY 10000-0001 Dear Jane (Ms. Recruiter): After meeting you at our recent campus Career Fair I have taken the opportunity to learn much more about ASuper Employer. I would like to accept your offer to consider me as a candidate for your internship program and have enclosed my resume for your review. I believe I bring skills and experience that will benefit the company and add to its already successful record. Some of my specific abilities related to your job opening follow: Valuing teamwork synergy and leadership through employment and class team projects. Solving complex and complicated problems using applied analysis techniques and research. Thinking critically to determine needs in ambiguous settings and thoroughly developing efficient recommendations and solutions. Please review my resume for a more detailed synopsis of my experience and qualifications. For the past year I have worked at ALess Super Employer and appreciate the high regard given to your organization by its major competition.

Introductory Paragraph
Your first paragraph should: Get the reader’s attention, stimulate interest, and be appropriate for the job you are seeking. Make your goal clear to readers. Preview the rest of your letter. Highlight the qualifications you will discuss throughout the letter.
Close
Sincerely, Ima Good Student
Cover Letter Outline
First paragraph: why are you writing? Reference the job you are applying for and where you saw it Second paragraph: link your education, skills and experience with the job description Third paragraph: ask for an interview and thank them for their review of your resume
I believe that my knowledge of public relations and my proven communication and leadership skills make me a strong candidate for the position of Media Relations Coordinator that was posted by the Delta Airlines Job Opportunities Program.