Chapter 8 Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters Write

Chapter 8 Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters • Chapter 8 covers: 1. 2. 3. 4. Structuring your cover letter Applying effective writing tips Customizing the content Describing how to distribute your job application package Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

Job Search Journey • The goal in Phase 3, Step 3 is to use cover letters to encourage hiring managers and recruiters to choose to read your resume and applications so that you can get interviews Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

1. Structure Your Cover Letter A. Top part: Address, date, and salutation B. Content: – Opening – Sales pitch – Closing – Signature Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

1. Structure Your Cover Letter B. Content – Opening: Introduce yourself, state your purpose, name the position, and explain why you are interested. Name people who are connected to both of you. – Sales pitch: Market yourself with a written version of your 30 -Second Commercial, using customized wording to express your interest in the job. – Closing: Ask for a meeting, call, or interview (not a job just yet). – Signature: Be sure to sign it. Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

2. Apply Effective Writing Tips A. Tips for writing effective cover letters B. Address the letter appropriately C. Make it look good Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

2. Apply Effective Writing Tips A. Tips for writing effective cover letters: – Use a template (find free templates online). – Use your Personal Brand Statement and stories. – Use three-part structure: 1. 2. 3. Why you want to connect with them Why they want to connect with you Request a time and date to connect – Be positive and truthful; write clearly and concisely. – Describe your abilities in specific, measureable terms. – Read it aloud and listen for likability and sincerity. Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

2. Apply Effective Writing Tips B. Address the letter appropriately: – To find the name of a person to contact: • Call the employer. • Search the company’s website. • Contact other employees. Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

2. Apply Effective Writing Tips C. Make it look good: 1. Keep it clean and simple. 2. Use a similar style on your cover letter and resume. 3. Print on white or cream-colored 8. 5 -inch by 11 -inch paper. 4. Use 1 -inch margins and a standard, common font. 5. Don’t use headers (they might not be seen on the screen). 6. Don’t use decoration or excessive formatting (bold, italics, underline, shadow). 7. Sign it. 8. Proofread it. Again! Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

3. Customize the Content • Types of things you should customize: – Show that you fit with the job by using terms from the listing. – Research the company and industry, adding relevant comments to demonstrate your knowledge. – Use specialized terminology from your industry and job target where appropriate. Use the terminology correctly. – Emphasize how you can meet the employer’s needs and give examples. – Edit the text carefully. Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

3. Distribute Your Job Search Package A. B. C. D. E. Printed cover letter Online application with plain text cover letter Hand-delivered Job Application Package Emailed Job Application Package Other ways to use your Job Application Package F. Follow up with the employer Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

Caution: Did You Forget Anything? • Don’t be viewed as careless! – Most common errors: • Forgetting to enclose your resume or cover letter in the envelope • Neglecting to attach a document to an email message • Don’t forget: • • Your contact information The date, salutation, or closing on the cover letter The context and the “ask” Your signature Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

You, Online • Find Job Leads with Twitter – Twitter users commonly chat and connect with strangers. – A simple search can yield hundreds of people and businesses that hold the same interests and are willing to talk with you. – Read tweets sent out by select companies to learn what’s new with them and whether they’re hiring. – Follow experts in your industry, read the articles and information they are tweeting, and ask them for advice. – Send out tweets about your job-seeking interests. Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

Real World Scenarios composite stories from real people • Evan: Prospective cover letters – Found good companies but without any job openings – Used Linked. In® to find company employees – Sent his resume with customized cover letter • Deidra: Customized cover letter – Read job position description – Customized cover letter with three bulleted examples of how she met the requirement How can you discover more How can you customize about prospective your cover letter for your employers to use in your ideal job position? cover letter? Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

Think About It • “To get noticed, begin by noticing others first. To encourage others to care about you, begin to care about them first. What you do reflects back toward you. ” • “Your cover letter tells the reader who you are. Be yourself. ” Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters

YOUR Job Search Journey I can make it happen. Write Effective Tailored Cover Letters