COVER LETTERS - Hadracha



COVER LETTERS

AND

THANK - YOU LETTERS

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COVER LETTERS

A dynamic cover letter can give you an edge in the competitive world of job hunting. It demonstrates your written communication skills and provides you the opportunity to persuade an employer to read the resume that showcases your ability to do the job.

ADVANTAGES

A cover letter shows:

How well you communicate

Your professionalism

How detail oriented you are [e.g. typos and other errors]

Clues to your personality

• If you do not have relevant work experience to the job you are applying for, a cover letter can highlight aspects of related work experience that are most useful to the prospective employer.

• A well-constructed cover letter demonstrates your ability to organize your thoughts and written communication skills.

• If responding to an advertisement, USE TERMINOLOGY found in the ad. Indicate that you are on the same wavelength as the employer.

• Provides the opportunity to showcase your knowledge about the field you are responding to.

• It should demonstrate a strong interest in the company you are applying to.

• Emphasis should be placed on the area of experience that you are applying for.

• MOTIVATE. Your cover letter should motivate a specific response or action by the reader. Remember that your intent is to spark an interest so that the employer will invite you for an interview.

• Be IMPRESSIVE. Grab the reader’s attention, make it as easy as possible for your potential employer to decide if your qualifications meet with the job requirements.

THE OPENING

1. Tells the employer who you are

2. States why you are writing

3. Indicates what you are applying for and how you learned of the opening

4. Highlights your skills

THE BODY

5. Tells the employer why you are right for the job

6. Points out what you can contribute to the company

7. Mentions that your resume is attached for more details

8. 3-5 qualities / accomplishments that would make you the perfect job candidate.

9. Get to the point and sell yourself.

THE CLOSING

10. Suggests a meeting with the employer

11. Takes the initiative by including how and when you will contact the employer

to arrange an appointment.

• Uses phrases such as “get together” or “meet” instead of the word “interview”

10 CARDINAL RULES OF WRITING COVER LETTERS

1. Tailor your letter as much as possible to the target reader and industry.

2. Talk more about what you can do for the prospective employer rather than what you want.

3. Convey focused career goals. Even if you'd be willing to take any job they'd offer you, don't say so.

4. Don't say anything negative about your employment situation or your life in general.

5. Don't make empty claims that aren't backed up with examples.

6. Cut to the chase -- don't ramble.

7. Don't write more than one page unless the prospective employer has asked for a detailed or extended cover letter.

8. Check, recheck and triple check your letter for typos and other errors.

9. Get other people's opinions of your letter before you send it.

10. Keep easily accessible copies of all letters you mail, fax or email along with a log of when letters were sent so that you can follow up.

TYPES OF COVER LETTERS

1. The Uninvited or Cold Contact Letter

This approach enables you to take a proactive approach to job hunting. The cold contact letter can be a great tool for uncovering hidden jobs where supposedly no job openings exist. A key aspect of this method is compiling a large list of potential employers. Research companies so that you can individualize the letter. It is especially important that these letters are addressed to a particular individual, preferably a person making the hiring decision.

2. The Invited Cover Letter

This type of letter is usually invited through an advertisement and enables you to speak to the requirements of the position. Ideally you should research the company and demonstrate your knowledge and ability related to the requirements of the position. It is important to tie in as many elements of your background that apply to the position including education, experience, and volunteer activities.

√DO

• BE PROFESSIONAL making sure your letter is neat and error free.

• Address your letter to a specific individual

12. Make the most of your opening paragraph.

13. Project confidence and enthusiasm.

14. Speak to the requirements of the job when responding to an advertisement

15. Keep it brief - never more than one page

16. Tell the employer how you can meet his/her needs and how you can contribute to the company

17. Answer the question the employer is thinking “Why should I hire this person?”

18. Be positive and to the point.

19. Use the same quality paper as your resume.

20. Include your address, telephone number and e-mail address.

(DON’T

21. Don’t depend on the employer to take action. Follow through with the employer to arrange a

mutually convenient time to meet.

22. Don’t write your letter by hand

23. Don’t tell the employer what he/she can do for you

24. Don’t rehash your resume.

25. Don’t include too much detail or be too general

26. Don’t make the employer dig through the letter to discover what job you are seeking

SUGGESTED COVER LETTER FORMAT

Your address

Date

Contact person

Title

Employer's name

Address

Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr. (Contact Person):

First paragraph - introduction (2 - 4 sentences)

Establishes the purpose of your letter, attracts attention and arouses interest.

State why you are writing by naming the specific position or type of job

Tell how you heard about the position/employer and why you are interested in it.

Second/third paragraph - body (1 - 2 paragraphs, depending on your background)

Generates interest with content by indicating how much employer research you have done and how your skills/background match the employer's needs.

Focus on what you can do for the employer rather than why you want the position. Demonstrate how you can help the employer achieve organizational goals.

Highlight your significant accomplishments, abilities, and experiences that are relevant to the job.

Sell your credentials - your mission is to prove you should be invited to an interview.

Point out qualities, which cannot be indicated on a resume.

Fourth paragraph - closing (3-4 sentences maximum)

States your commitment to action.

Take the initiative to ask as to what will happen next.

State your availability. And that you will cal to inquire about the possibility of an interview.

Mention you have an enclosed resume or sample work, if applicable.

Restate contact information so the employer can contact you.

Thank the employer.

Very truly yours/Sincerely,

Your written signature

Your name, typed

THANK - YOU LETTERS

After your job interview don’t go home and wait for the employer to call, or you can increase your chances of employment by writing a thank-you letter. It is important to write a thank-you letter while the interview is still fresh in your mind and the employer’s. This a time to reinforce the good impression you left with the employer during the interview. This also presents the perfect opportunity for you to thank your potential employer for taking the time [out of his/her busy schedule] to speak with you.

Think of the thank-you letter as closing the sale. This is one final opportunity to let the employer know that you are really interested in working for the company. If you know that the employer is planning to make a quick hiring decision, you may want to make special arrangements to have your thank-you letter delivered quickly i.e. e-mail, priority post or hand delivery.

WHAT YOU WANT YOUR THANK-YOU LETTER TO EXPRESS

27. The letter is another way to keep your name in front of the employer.

28. The thank-you letter gives you one last chance to build upon the strengths of the

interview and emphasize the match between you and the job, especially when you

now know more about the company.

29. The thank-you letter is a way to promote any ideas or skills pertinent to the employer

you did not have a chance to discuss at the interview.

• The letter presents another opportunity to restate your interest and enthusiasm for the job.

• This is a chance to show the employer how well you express yourself.

30. Finally, the thank-you letter gives you an opportunity to show that you care.

31. Putting in some extra effort goes a long way.

.

!!GOOD LUCK!!

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