How to write a “Cover Letter” ...In English!Why is it Important? ¢ Your cover letter may make the difference between obtaining a job interview and having your resume ignored, so, it makes good sense to devote the necessary time and effort to writing effective cover letters. * Acover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression.A Good Cover Letter... « Explains the reasons for your interest in the specific organization/company * Identifies your most relevant skills or experiences * Should express a high level of interest and knowledge about the position.WHAT SHOULD YOUR COVER LETTER DO FOR YOU? ¢ It should answer the question - Why should I hire you? ¢ It should grab the employers attention and point out why you, above all other applicants, should be contacted for a personal interview.A cover letter should * complement, not duplicate your resume. * interpret the data-oriented, factual resume and add a personal touch.Sample Format: Mr.JMrs. Person Company Name Company Address City, State 90210 Dear Mt./Mts. Person: Recently, { completed an internship with where I was given the responsibility of . Lam now seeking a position with (COMPANY. to help build on my experience, Thelieve my background and abilities will prove tbe an asset to COMPANY. Thave performed. participated in, and foundation formation, and managed Twas given the responsibility (0 My skills are excellent and Tam able to work in a group or by myself to complete tasks ahead of deadlines. Tcan add a new dynamic to your projects and produce results. Tam very interested in joining, COMPANY. . Tan be reached at the address and phone number below. Fook forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, ‘Your Name Your Address City, State 90210 (1m) 1-HFirst: ¢ Write your contact information on the top then * Write a “salutation” Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, (leave out if you don't have a contact) * Also can use: “To whom it may concern”How should you start it? Here are the most common opening lines from a sample of covering letters: + Thave just completed my final year at the Shanghai Institute of Tourism + Tama final year student at the Shanghai Institute of Tourism + Asan undergraduate at Shanghai Institute of Tourism I am looking for + Currently Tam pursuing a degree in .... at the Shanghai Institute of Tourism + Mynameis....and I am a final year student at the Shanghai Institute of Tourism + My nameis.... and 1 am writing in response to your advertisement + Lam writing to apply for the post of..... in your company + Lam writing in response to your advertisement in/for + Tam writing to enquire if you have any vacancies for .... + Twas very interested to read your advertisement for + Iwas most interested to read your advertisement for + Further to your advertisement in.....,I should like to apply for + With reference to your vacaney for a + Lenclose my resume for consideration of the post of + Please find enclosed my application for the post of + Asyou will see from my resume + Tam seeking a placement within a + Tam currently looking for an entry-level post in + Lam very keen to work for... because of your reputation for + Your company has an excellent reputation for the training of graduates ..FIRST PARAGRAPH: * This is the "why I'm writing to you" paragraph which immediately tells the employer the position you want to be considered for. * This is short - usually 2-3 sentences.Points to cover: + Why you are writing and which position you are applying for. Show from your research why you are interested in this position or organization. The goal is to make a connection - do this Briefly and Specifically or leave it outResearch! Research the organization or business so you can include information or facts relating to your desired job or industry. This will not only help you in writing a relevant cover letter but it will also be useful if you get an interview. Some key items you should become familiar with: What is the employer's mission? What do they promote as setting themselves apart from competitors? What kind of customer base does the employer cater to? What kinds of people are in their target market? What are the company or organization's values? Innovation? Service? Diversity? Sustainability? What is the history of the employer? Who was the founder? How has the business or organization evolved?Analyze the Job * Read the job description carefully. * Check for the noted and assumed needs and determine the most important skills, qualifications and experience the employer is looking for. + Write them down, and put a check mark next to the ones you have.SECOND PARAGRAPH: This is the "why I'm qualified" paragraph. a pre some of your most relevant experiences and qualities as they relate to the position for which you are applying. Choose 2 - 3 points you want to make about Specific experiences/accomplishments, and provide Specific examples to support those points. This paragraph will change according to the job/employer for which you are applying. This is usually the longest paragraph of the letter. You may break this paragraph into two if it looks too lengthy or if your points work best in separate paragraphs.Enthusiasm! * Show enthusiasm and a desire to help the company reach its goals! * What can you do for them * Not-what can I get from themFINAL PARAGRAPH: This is a short 2-4 sentences paragraph. You should refer to the enclosed resume, request an interview and let the reader know what will happen next (Contact them within specific period of time unless it is a recruiting program). It is vital that you thank the reader for his/her time and consideration.Tips to Make Your Letter Professional + Research the company and the specifics about the position so you can tailor your letter to the needs of the organization. — Avoid using too many sentences that start with "I" or writing in the passive voice (ex. "This experience enabled me to..." or "Through my internship, I was responsible for..."); instead, make yourself the subject of each sentence and use active descriptions ex.» "™In this internship, I demonstrated sound judgment and problem-solving skills on a daily basis."). — Do not use contractions (I'd, didn't, it's). — Spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes are out of the question! Cover letters are a reflection of your writing skills, so make each cover letter an example of your best work. — Be sure to sign your letters. (Black ink is suggested) — Keep your letter short and simple. This is not the time to tell your whole life's story. — Use food quality paper that matches your resume paper and envelopes.Samples * http://www.bestcoverletters.com/sample- cover-letter/Internship/Internship-Cover- Letter-1.html + http://www.bestcoverletters.com/sample- cover-letter/Internship/Internship-Cover- Letter-2.html * htto://www.careerfags.com.au/sample- cover-letters/1330/Tour-quide-cover-letterSample: 300 Summit St Hartford, CT 06106-3100 August 17, 1998, Ms, Arianna Rikie Direcior of Recruiting Easter Arbor 225 East 72nd Street New York, NY 10098 Dear Ms. Rikie: Laura Flannigan suggested I contact you concerning the Marketing position available at Baste Arbor. Lam inspired to pursue my marketing interests at Eastern Arbor due to its reputation as a prestigious, innovative and growing company in liability policies, My diverse and intense academic, professional, and leadership experiences would make me a valuable asset to Eastern PG Arbor. Currently, as a professional Student Admissions Associate, I assist in promoting Trinity College to prospective students and parents. [am responsible for interviewing and evaluating students as well as leading group information sessions. Since I work with people every day in a business setting, Ihave developed strong interpersonal and communication skills. My leadership experience, particularly with the President’s Special Council on Women, is another example of my strong sense of responsibility and motivation. As a council member concerned with the rights of ‘women, [have brought fierce new ideas onto the agenda, such as bringing student leaders together to discuss how to create a more active community at Trinity. As a result of this idea, the council along with other student leaders has begun planning a leadership forum for next semester. In all of my business experiences, my motivation and energy has ignited me to work hard and accomplish goals. My resume and transcript are enclosed for your evaluation. | will contact you on the week of August! 30th to schedule a time in which I may further discuss my qualifications for the Marketing position. Thank you for your time and consideration Sincerely, Marty E. Spruce ao soAnother sample: Elicia Delombard 2286 North 75th St. — A New York, NY 10021 212-585-9988) Mach 21, 1998 Mi Ralph Cantor Exceuthe Vise Been Fopubisin ume ne ‘SPMinsin te Monaonks NY i256 Dear Mr Cantor T woul ike tobe consiered forthe Lagl Assistant postion ofeed at Whit, Cas & Bothalemale ered of hs Spportty feasts New Yor Recating Consontum aay Cl My high level of concenraon aad excellent eranizaional kis have helped ine achive astong academic resord a Tiny Giibge itch sls ny dence tl Sound t sucecse porns tical mi couse sad consicaonn prscilogy have provide meta vince witng siya well sharp analytes, poles an eeach sil Inyo Pits nC Pc eur ane rien prs dh cca ass inonkrig pve sete hess {have ago veyed research sks ferent capac by coming an rayne dan ina Research Design and Analy clas tn aluon ny stung in Eagan and Fraace 2 wells tg eng Span clave as preity expanded any knowledge of leon ales an languages, My anguageprofency wil be an batt taw hn global es Throgh challenging lsetip poston, Ihave developed a song sens of reapnsbiiy, foiv inerpersonal kis nd ably tcontibut to eanbeons even in igipresiscovroumens Asa Readent Acistnt Tocca reseed sonfcts among essa planed sol and educsonal popant wie seeing ssa posiero nel orn) px With ta tector a Hoc ie sin sles cotiont hat Tova take 8 proto comb uton 1s Wane, Care ‘nu Bote Etched insu for your vow. Lan esis abou he positon and Tok forward to mesg wi you atthe Eonson ntay hase ou fervour tine and onsderaton cel Elta Detour li DeonTo Sum Up: + The first sentence should be a “grabbing” opener. It is a quick introduction, which is accomplishment-oriented and directed at the skills and qualifications needed for the job/industry. «The body of the paragraph should provide evidence to back up what you've just claimed. Gite ebecinie jos interciships) aceNvaties projects and accomplishments associated with those experiences. Use your resume to come up with some specifics, but NEVER reiterate assages from your resume word for word. Discuss why what you Nid is to the employer- relate the facts to the job. Strong examples are important! + The final sentence is a summary of what you've discussed above. It's a good idea to mention the position title and company name to bring the reader back to the specific job in question.Final Tips Never use the passive voice (e.g. "Bones are liked by dogs") where you can use the active voice ("Dogs like bones"). Be positive in your letter. No one wants to hire an unpleasant co-worker. Personalize your letter with humor or another aspect of your personality. Personalization does not mean sharing intimate details or using cute gimmicks in your letter. This is still a professional presentation! If you know someone at the company you're approaching, ask him about the job opening. You can mention this discussion in your letter, as it reinforces your interest in the job. The conversation may give you insight on how to make your letter stand out from the applicant pool. And if you know someone at the company, check if this person can give you a recommendation. If you can reference an employee and his recommendation in your letter, this may help you get to the next step- an interview! Remember, a cover letter should be brief; being verbose and writing more than three paragraphs will not help your chances.Do Not... ¢ Say why you need a job. Explain how hiring you helps the company, not how it could help you! * In an initial cover letter, there is no need to include your salary requirements. * Your cover letter should not be longer than one page. * Do not use the same form cover letter with every resume you submit.A cover letter though email: ¢ This can be a little more informal and a little more fun!HW: « Write a Cover Letter due May 18. (Also, bring your resume. * Continue to write two blog entries per week.Have a nice day! ©