1. Final Journal

2. Resume Item Revision

3. Resume Peer Edit

4. Cover Letter Standards: Questions & Examples

5. Writing your Cover Letter

6. Next Week

CMNS 152: Cover Letters

Final Journal

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Due next class: Journal part II

Choose 1 journal. Type it out into sentences, fixing basic errors, considering an audience.

Presentation Diction

Practice pronouncing consonants

1. Start with the job advertisement (page 151).Highlight key skills/experience required.

2. Decide which resume style is appropriate for you.

• Chronological Resume• Functional (skills)• Mixed

Skills Summary

Summarize the skills that repeat across jobs, volunteer work or school.

Example

2011 Communications course at Okanagan College2004 – 2006 Customer Services, Concession at Lake Alberta Hockey School

as skills …

Communications• Excellent interpersonal skills revealed in successful group projects and presentations• Exceptional problem-solving and conflict resolution skills demonstrated by resolving a variety of customer concerns with diplomacy and confidence

Or two job skills summarized…

• Demonstrated strong communication skills when working on group projects in school and interacting with customers at Lake Alberta Hockey School.

3. Write strong resume items.

• Dealt with customers -> reviseRecognized for excellent customer service at the highest volume branch

• Supervised staff ->Recruited, trained and mentored up to 20 restaurant staff, including interviewing, conducting performance reviews and scheduling.

• Worked as a bouncer at a local bar ->Maintained order at Nick’s Side-Door Saloon; learned first-hand the importance of compromise and negotiation in solving problems

• Good communications skillsBuilt strong interpersonal skills while working front-line customer service at…

• Good at team workWhat would you write?

1. Groups of 3, assigned by me.2. Use your Resume-Editing Checklist.3. Read any job advertisement.4. Read the resume alone, closely considering each entry. Make notes for

discussion.5. Does the resume meet what you imagine are the expectations of the intended

audience?6. Underline what education, skills & experience relate to the job.7. Together, discuss each resume. If necessary, ask the writer to describe a job

and note any words (especially that describe skills or duties) that you think would be good to add.

Resume Peer Edit

A cover letter should be…

• Persuasive

• Tailored to the specific position

• Revealing…your strong communications skills

• Concise, but detailed

….Leave your reader with the desire to meet you.

VoicePurpose

Audience

4. Write a cover letter tailored to the job.

As we review cover letter standards…

Write your own:

• Opening• Introductory paragraph• Body paragraph/s• Closing

Standard Form & Content

Opening

Use titles, if you know them, and other conventions of formality and politeness.

Dear Mr. John Alexander,

Dear Ms? Mrs.? Miss? Jennifer Alexander

To Whom it May Concern,

Dear Human Resources Department

Introductory paragraph

answers the questions…

Why are you sending this letter? What position are you applying for?

I’m writing to express my interest in the position of…

Please consider me for the position…

Please accept this letter and resume in application to the position x recently advertised in

Who are you?

In May of this year, I will be graduating from Okanagan College with a diploma in …

I am a recent graduate of the Human Service Worker Diploma at Okanagan College.

Now the whole introductory paragraph:

Lead in with the desired position…I am applying for the position of full-time front-line worker as advertised in the Redville Courier.

Who are you? I am a student in my second year of the Social Service Worker Program at Plains College. Transition to the body of your letter with a topic sentence. I believe the courses I’ve completed at the college, along with my work and volunteer experience, make me a strong candidate for your team. (Cue body paragraph topics in order they will appear.)

Use the above basics, but write to suit your stye…I am writing to you in application for the position of full-time front-line worker as advertised in the Redville Courrier. In May I will be graduating from the Social Service Worker Program at Plains College. I hope you will find that my education and work experience qualify me for the position.

Begin your cover letter (or write another version).

Write a greeting and introductory paragraph.

Begin your cover letter (or write another version).

Write a greeting and introductory paragraph.

Body paragraph(s) answer(s) the questions…

Why are you a good candidate for this position?

How do you meet the desired qualifications listed in the job ad?

Do you have the education, experience and/or potential to do this job?

Why do you want to work for this employer?

• Cue a general idea/skill (applied to this job).• Highlight your strongest, specific, related qualification(s).• Show, don’t tell.• Reflect modest confidence.

I am an effective supervisor. revise to…

Supervising a staff of five counter clerks has given me the leadership skills required for this position.

I am an accurate person. revise to…

In my two years of experience as a secretary at XYZ Company, none of the letters, memorandums or reports I typed was returned with a typographical error.

I can organize records. Revise to…

As detailed in the enclosed resume, my extensive work experience in records management has prepared me to help you “take charge of this paperwork jungle,” as noted in your job advertisement.

Cue key skills from the job advertisement. (considering the ad on page 145)

According to your job advertisement, you are looking for a social service worker who can work independently while running programs and handling a caseload of youth.

Show how you have the experience and/or potential to meet those requirements…I am taking courses in the Social Services Program that give me experience with designing programs. The self-esteem workshop I developed in school won the Dean’s Award for Innovative Thinking, and I am now helping to implement this program program at Michael’s Place, where I currently volunteer. I am a strong writer with very good report-writing skills. In my Okanagan College Communications course and in my HSW practicum, I learned and implemented standards for report-writing.

I work at a local music studio as a singing coach for teens ages 13 to 16. I independently plan lessons and coach clients. As a volunteer at Micheal’s Place, I am team leader for the weekend shift. My duties include supervising five male youths with behavioural challenges.

Continue your cover letter.Write a body paragraph or two directed

at the position you desire.

Continue your cover letter.Write a body paragraph or two directed

at the position you desire.

Concluding paragraph answers the questions...

What position were you applying for?

I hope you will find I have the right skills and experience to fill the position of X.

Where can you be contacted?

I will call your office on February 21, or you may call me any time after 2 p.m. (EST) daily at 514-398-4455.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me on my cell at 555-676-8980 or at my email …

…and thanks…

Thank the reader for his or her time.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Page 152Thank you for considering my suitability for the position. I look forward to hearing from you and can be reached at 613-555-7834 or at Bennett.t@homenet.com.

Regards,

Tanya Bennet

Thank you for considering my candidacy. I know my education and experience would make me an excellent fit with your team. I would be happy to meet with you to discuss my suitability as a member of your team. I can be reached at 204-555-7689.

Sincerely, (leave 3 spaces after for signature)

Batul Singh

Conclude your cover letterConclude your cover letter

Concluding Paragraph: 2 Examples

Next week…

Prepare for a job interview• Dress as you might for an interview• Bring 3 copies of your resume & cover letter (collated)• Bring a folder or portfolio (optional)

• Copies of your reference list• A page for notes, with your interviewers’ names on it• A list of questions you want to ask

Due• Employment/Job Search package – 3 parts• Journal, part 2