COVER LETTER Internship WRITING EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS Create

COVER LETTER Internship

WRITING EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS § Create a positive first impression § The cover letter is the first thing that meets the readers eye. § Give it the same consideration and careful preparation as you do your resume § Use effective writing techniques, and project a friendly, energetic, and professional image § Address your letter to the appropriate person

WRITING EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS § Relate your qualifications to the needs and interests of the prospective employer. § Emphasize what you CAN do for the organization § Don’t use overblown or empty words to describe your abilities. § Use specific, measurable terms, for example “My program increased reported customer satisfaction by 35 percent”

WRITING EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS § Project confidence in your qualifications, and show interest and enthusiasm for the job § If the job will likely require you to relocate, state your willingness to move § Emphasize your skills as a team player § Don’t try to convince the employer that you are a one-person miracle worker

WRITING EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS § Incorporate specialized terminology from your industry and job target where appropriate § Format you letter in an acceptable business style § Hand-sign every letter § Use a word processor § Be certain the final letter is perfect § Proofread!

DEVELOPING YOUR COVER LETTER § Tailor your letter: § A cover letter should highlight your most important qualifications § It should stress how those qualifications meet the employers needs § Demonstrate you knowledge of the organization/industry § RESEARCH!

BUILDING YOUR COVER LETTER Explain why you are sending a resume Convince the reader to look at your resume Tell specifically how you learned of the position Indicate what you will do to follow up Refer to information specifically requested in a job ad Reflect your personality Call attention to elements of your background that are relevant to the position

SAMPLE COVER LETTER

LET’S CREATE A COVER LETTER § Keep your cover letter brief (1 page) § Make sure your cover letter does not duplicate exactly what is in your resume § Make sure that the contents of your resume and cover letter do not contain contradictions

CONTENT OF A COVER LETTER Follow these guidelines to ensure that your cover letter has winning content

§ If you had any previous communication with the person you’re writing to , refer to that communication to help him or her remember you § If you have a contact who knows the person you are writing to, mention your contact’s name in the letter § Explain how you learned of and why you are interested in the employer, and state the type of position you are seeking § Include at least one sentence that shows your knowledge of the company. This demonstrates initiative and interest § Emphasize your qualifications for the job. Include two to four resultsoriented descriptions of accomplishments and capabilities that show you can benefit the employer and handle the job § State that your resume is enclosed § Include a request for a meeting or an interviews, even if no openings are available now § Include a courteous closing sentence

WRITING THE COVER LETTER

THE OPENING § Introduce yourself § State your purpose § Explain how you know the employer and why you are interest in the organization § State the type of job you are seeking/mention the job you are applying for § If you know someone who may influence the reader, get permission to reference them EXAMPLE

My name is Mary Smith, I am currently working for a nonprofit education foundation. Corinne Gordano from the Health Services Bureau recommended that I talk with you about the possibility that you may need an administrative support person with experience in educational and community activities. Your new five-year educational and community plan is soundly developed. I believe my five years of experience as a volunteer in the Valley Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization and the Diabetes Foundation would be useful in helping you achieve success in the plan.

YOUR SALES PITCH § This section focusses on your qualifications for the job § Make this paragraph a results-oriented summary of your assets, highlighting accomplishments that are suitable for this job § Must be able to provide support/evidence § When possible use bullets to highlight the qualifications you most want to emphasize to capture the readers attention EXAMPLES

Through my volunteer work, I learned about the diseaseprevention techniques your department teaches to day-care workers. The potential to combine helping families, defeating disease, and doing work I enjoy is irresistible. I recently completed an Associates in Science degree, majoring in Information Management Technology, with an overall GPA of 3. 5. As Secretary/Treasurer of the VES-PTO, I used Excel and Word to generate and merge letters and address labels for 500 student families.

During the last two years, I have worked for a CPA firm where I was able to develop a wide range of accounting and accounting related skills. My responsibilities included: • Performing full-charge bookkeeper duties, such as opening, posting, and closing the books, creating templates in Excel • Assisting a consultant in upgrading software for customized accounting systems • Creating a procedures manual that identified common operating, maintenance, and troubleshooting situations, providing steps to reconcile problems in a timely and sodteffective manner

I am an energetic, detail-oriented person who has strong administrative and computer skills, retail and community service experience, and the ability to work well with people from all walks of life. In addition, I have held positions of responsibility in four community organizations over the last eight years and was chosen as the 2005 National Diabetes Foundation Volunteer of the Year.

YOUR CLOSING § Ask for a meeting or an interview – not a job § ACTIVE CLOSE: § You say you will call to request a meeting or interview leads to more interviews § PASSIVE CLOSE: § You request that the reader call you, can lead to higherquality interviews and may prevent the reader from putting your letter aside to wait for your call COMBINE BOTH FOR A WIN-WIN CLOSE!

Enclosed for your review is my resume. I would appreciate meeting with you and discussing the possibility of our working together. I will call you on Thursday to check on your availability, or you may reach me at 555 -0136. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the community outreach efforts of the Department of Disease Prevention.

FOLLOW UP – IS IMPORTANT! No call back yet…. Have the last word don’t lose a lead over loose ends. Wait a Week then try an e-mail or a call

FOLLOW UP - EMAIL Include you full name and the title of the position Write a short Professional Note Attach your resume AGAIN!!! Proofread the email carefully.

FOLLOW UP - CALL Give them a call Know who you’re calling – Hiring Manager or Human Resources Introduce yourself Voicemail – try again Do Not Call constantly!