Cover Letter

Modern-day cover letter is

your introduction—of any
kind—to the employer.
It must be concise in
introducing who you are
and what you can do for
the employer.
It must, therefore, intrigue
your employer and give
the person the interest to
look at the details in your
resume.
Purpose of the Cover Letter:
Your “cover letter” has three goals:

1.Explain why you’ve contacted the

employer.- INTRO
2.Provide insight on who you are and
what you offer.- BODY
3.Show enthusiasm and interest in
hearing (back) from the employer.-
CLOSING
Contents of a Cover Letter

Introduction:
• Tell them who you are.
• Reason for contacting them
(application)
• Specific position and source of
information
Contents of a Cover Letter

Body:
• Sell yourself and your abilities.
• Highlight key points of your
resume relevant to the position
your applying for.
• Explain how you intend to
contribute to their organization.
Contents of a Cover Letter

Closing:

• Statement of interest in hearing back

• State how they can reach you.
• Thank the employer for their time and
consideration.
 Basic questions to ask:
A. Does it highlight the skills, education
and experience related to the position?

B. Does it express interest for the position?

C. Does it mention contributions that the

writer can offer to the organization based
upon his/her qualifications?

.
 262 Example Street
Los Angeles, CA 65523

January 24, 2014

Mr. John Smith

Hiring Manager
InterContinental Hotels Group
511 New Ave
Los Angeles, CA 65523
10
Dear Mr. Smith:

I am writing in response to your opening

for the Housekeeping Attendant position at
InterContinental Hotels Group, as advertised
in the LA Times. My friendly and professional
approach and 2 years of hands-on experience
as a janitor and cleaner makes me an ideal
contender for this position. Utilizing my
qualifications, I am certain to become a
key member of InterContinental Hotels
Group.
As indicated in the enclosed resume, I have a
proven ability to provide an excellent and
consistent service to customers in order to
attain the highest level of their satisfaction. I
am very skilled in: cleaning and stocking
assigned rooms/suites to meet established
cleanliness and quality standards, making
beds, dusting, vacuuming and washing.
Moreover, I am well versed in removing trash,
dirty linens, towels and used amenities from
rooms and suites. My enclosed resume
contains more details about my specific skills and
qualifications.
As an energetic and capable Housekeeping
Attendant, I would welcome a chance to
meet with you to discuss how my experience
and skills would be beneficial for
InterContinental Hotels Group. I can be
reached at (000) 111-9999 to answer any
questions. Additionally, I will contact you by
phone next week to follow-up.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

 Sincerely,

Alex Smith
Alex O. Smith

Enclosure: Resume
TIPS:
• be clear and direct to the point
• repeat the specific skills, abilities, and
experience the job advertisement identifies
• show you have done your homework - you
must match your background to the
company
• be positive and enthusiastic – show you
really want the job
TIPS:
• encourage the reader to take a closer look
at your resume
• use strong action verbs and phrases to
describe your skills, interests, and abilities.
Note:
• If you are sending many resumes to
different companies, it is difficult to
keep re-writing your cover letter.
In this case, write a cover letter for
each industry or area you are applying
for.
TIPS:
• Name
- Learn the name of the person who will be
reading your resume. Spell the name
correctly and use the correct title (Mr., Ms.,
Mrs., Miss, Dr., or "Professor.").
• Avoid writing “To whom it may concern,” or
Dear Sir/Madam,” That’s like shooting for
the stars. Busy people will not be
“concerned” with YOUR letter.
TIPS:
• Address
- Include the address even though you are
dropping the letter personally or sending it
via email.
TIPS:
Content
- Include the position you are applying for. A
hiring manager could have more than one
job advertised at the same time.
• Write in your own words - do not copy a
template from someone else. It must
sound natural and reflect the tone in your
resume.
NOTE:

Sometimes people who apply to more than

one company forget to change the name
of another company or position!
Be careful!
TIPS
• Research, research, research. . .
• Prove you know something about the
industry and the company.
• Demonstrate you know:
• - who they are
- what they do
- why you want to work for them.
TIPS
• Use expressions and terms (jargons) that
the employer will appreciate. Talk in a
‘language’ they understand.
For example, if you are applying for a job in
sales, use words like budget, forecasting,
business development, etc.
Use the same font style and size that you
use in your resume.
NOTE:

• NEVER state the salary you

want in a cover letter.
REMEMBER:
1st paragraph:
Identify what you want
nd
2 paragraph:
Explain why you are
qualified for that position.
3rd paragraph:
Ask for an interview.
BUSINESS LETTER
WRITING
 Parts or Elements of a Letter

1. Return Address / Heading

2. Date
3. Inside Address
4. Salutation / Greeting
5. Body
6. Complimentary Close
7. Signature jbgvalero
 Return Address / Heading
Date

Inside Address

Salutation/Greeting Body

Complimentary Close
Signature
Business Letter Formats

Block Standard Format

Business Letter Formats
Semi block Modified Block
 Business Letter Formats

Block • have a formal appearance,

but can be used in informal
and formal business
situations
• easy to read, easy to type
• provides a crisp, modern look
that many people prefer
 Business Letter Formats

Block • looks very much like the semi-

block letter format, except the
paragraphs are not
indented
• If with enclosures, make a
note at the bottom left, a few
spaces below the signature
block, write “enclosures:”
 Business Letter Formats
• looks very much Block Standard Format
like the block
letter format
• May include
other elements
like subject line
(RE:), initials of
the sender and
typist, and the
abbreviation of
enclosures
(encl:)
 Business Letter Formats

Standard Format
• everything is left justified
• The subject line, in between
the inside address and the
salutation, is an optional
element
• It is used to reference
something specific like a
previous communication
• Often underlined so as it
stands out
 Business Letter Formats

Standard Format
• on the line located beneath the
signature block, the initials of the
sender are in upper case letters.
• A colon separates them from the
assistant’s initials, which are
written in lower case letters. This
indicates that the assistant typed the
letter for sender.
• Ex.: If sender is Deslie Maleon and
typist or assistant is Athena Dizon,
then it would appear like this:
• DM:ad
 Business Letter Formats

Standard Format
• Beneath the initials, “cc:” may be
placed to indicate that a copy of
the letter is sent to someone
• Cc means Carbon Copy

Add- on INFO:
• If correspondence is via e-mail,
Bcc means Blind Carbon Copy
• It allows the sender of a message
to conceal the person entered in
the Bcc: field from the other
recipients.
 Business Letter Formats

Standard Format
• Finally, to indicate that there
are enclosures, “encl:” is used
instead of “enclosure:”
 Business Letter Formats
• looks very much like the
Modified Block
modified semi-block letter
format, except the paragraphs
are not indented
• a little less formal than full
block letters
• corresponding with someone
you already have a good
working relationship with
 Business Letter Formats

Modified Block • the sender’s address, the

closing, the signature, and the
signature block all start near
the center of the page (five
spaces to the right of the
center of the page)
• If with enclosures, make a
note at the bottom left, a few
spaces below the signature
block, write “enclosures:”
 Business Letter Formats
• a little more Semi block Modified Block
formal than
modified
block
business
letters
• not left
justified are
the first lines
of each of
the
paragraphs.
Cover Letter