Job Search COVER LETTERS 2 COVER LETTERS v
Job Search COVER LETTERS
2 COVER LETTERS v YOU = the Product n Sell yourself n Like a product or a service
3 Reader Analysis
4 COVER LETTERS v Reader Analysis n Reader = unknown n Readers = several n Readers = different backgrounds n Readers = n n personnel office staff department managers
5 COVER LETTERS v Reader Analysis n What criteria will they use to evaluate your credentials? n How much/little do they want in the letter? n What main points will they be hunting for in your resume?
6 COVER LETTERS n Readers: (1) Read Job Letters in Stacks n your letter = 1 in a pile of letters (2) Tired at the end of a busy day n at home n impatient (with flowery wording) n
7 COVER LETTERS n Readers: (3) Impatient n they want fast & easy data retrieval n page design they do not want flowery wording n they do not want hard-to-read FONT size/type n
8 COVER LETTERS n Readers: (4) Picky Grammarians expect quality writing n expect proofreading n no typographical errors no silly mistakes expect solid use of language v quality of writing = quality of work n
9 COVER LETTERS n Readers: (5) Want Attention-Grabbers n Don’t n n use slickness OR gimmicks Do n n n be tasteful, reserved, professional attach a business card stationary = § white, off-white n fonts = § traditional size & type n white space = § properly used
10 ABC Format
11 COVER LETTERS n Organization n = ABC format A B C
12 COVER LETTERS n ABC: Abstract n Apply for a specific job n n Refer to your source regarding the job opening n n n state the position title friend colleague newspaper advertisement their Web site Briefly state how you can meet the employer’s main needs n your qualifications
13 COVER LETTERS n ABC: Body n Specify your understanding of the employer’s main needs n Highlight qualifications from your resume that address these needs n n only “highlight” do not repeat everything that’s on the resume Avoid mentioning your weak points or deficiencies n Keep the Body paragraphs short n n 6 or fewer lines
14 COVER LETTERS n ABC: Body n Use bulleted or numbered lists to draw attention to 3 or 4 main points n Maintain the “you” point-of-view n KISS n n be clear & concise use clear prose Remain professional n Develop a unity & coherence (flow) to your letter n
15 COVER LETTERS n ABC: Conclusion n Tie the letter together with a main theme or selling point n as in a “sales letter” Refer to your attached résumé n Explain how & when the readers can contact you to schedule an interview n
16 COVER LETTERS PLEASE NOTE: n Despite the ABC format, n Cover Letters are still letters n NOT memos n So design them as letters
17 COVER LETTERS PLEASE NOTE: n So design them as “business letters” n Block, Semi-Block, Modified-Block style n < http: //www. career-tools-hq. com/cover-letter-format. html >
18 COVER LETTERS PLEASE NOTE: n So design them as “business letters” n Contact information n n Your name, address, & contact info Recipient’s name, address, & contact info
19 COVER LETTERS PLEASE NOTE: n So design them as “business letters” n Salutation: n n n Proper Title + Full Name + Job Title: To Whom It May Concern: colon, not comma No headings n Closing Remark: n n Don’t forget Sincerely, Respectfully, to sign it!
20 Writing Process
21 COVER LETTERS 1. SELL YOURSELF n determine & tout your qualifications 2. Complete a Reader Analysis n know your readers 3. Follow the ABC Format 4. KISS 5. Keep it Professional 6. Proofread!
- Slides: 21
