The Cover LetterThe Cover Letter

TIM 100TIM 100

What should a cover letter do?What should a cover letter do?

Introduces you Introduces you Creates attentionCreates attention Leads the reader to the resumeLeads the reader to the resume Draw attention to key summaries of your Draw attention to key summaries of your

resumeresume

Remember, don’t disqualify Remember, don’t disqualify yourself by . . . yourself by . . .

Being too lengthyBeing too lengthy Bad grammar and incorrect punctuationBad grammar and incorrect punctuation Unprofessional formatUnprofessional format

If you use a cover letter, do it right.If you use a cover letter, do it right.

Cover LetterCover Letter Paragraph One – Paragraph One –

This is why I am writing to youThis is why I am writing to you Create attentionCreate attention TypesTypes

• SummarySummary• Name OpeningName Opening• Request OpeningRequest Opening• Question OpeningQuestion Opening

Summary OpeningSummary Opening

Dear Mr. Baldwin:Dear Mr. Baldwin:

I would like to apply for the position of I would like to apply for the position of Front Office Manager at the Four Seasons Front Office Manager at the Four Seasons Maui. I have enclosed my resume for your Maui. I have enclosed my resume for your review.review.

Name OpeningName OpeningDear Ms. Walker:Dear Ms. Walker:

Amy Sellers suggested I contact you regarding Amy Sellers suggested I contact you regarding the Recreational Supervisor position available the Recreational Supervisor position available with the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. I have worked with the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. I have worked continuously at the Doubletree Alana Hotel in continuously at the Doubletree Alana Hotel in the area of pool services for the last three years. the area of pool services for the last three years. I am confident my experience with the I am confident my experience with the Doubletree Alana Hotel qualifies me for this Doubletree Alana Hotel qualifies me for this supervisor position.supervisor position.

Request OpeningRequest OpeningDear Mr. Jarvis:Dear Mr. Jarvis:

I would like to be considered for a position as an I would like to be considered for a position as an assistant in one of your marketing departments assistant in one of your marketing departments at Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Waikiki in the at Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Waikiki in the areas of advertising, sales promotion, marketing areas of advertising, sales promotion, marketing research, or brand management.research, or brand management.

Request Opening (cont.)Request Opening (cont.)Dear Mr. White:Dear Mr. White:

Please accept this letter as an expression Please accept this letter as an expression of interest in the position of Flight of interest in the position of Flight AttendantAttendant..

Middle Paragraph (s)Middle Paragraph (s) Create Create DESIREDESIRE Tell them how you are “marketable”Tell them how you are “marketable” Focus on one or more of these:Focus on one or more of these:

educationeducation work experiencework experience ability to work with othersability to work with others interest in your fieldinterest in your field interest in the companyinterest in the company responsibilities on previous assignmentsresponsibilities on previous assignments

As you will see from the attached As you will see from the attached resume, my successful purchasing resume, my successful purchasing background, along with my interest background, along with my interest and education in computer software, and education in computer software, provides me with the confidence that I provides me with the confidence that I can bring your company the can bring your company the knowledge and responsibility your knowledge and responsibility your work demands.work demands.

I am seeking a career that will allow me to I am seeking a career that will allow me to apply my interpersonal skills to the fullest apply my interpersonal skills to the fullest and pursue my commitment to serving the and pursue my commitment to serving the public. I believe that the Flight Attendant public. I believe that the Flight Attendant profession provides the best possible profession provides the best possible avenue along which to achieve these goals, avenue along which to achieve these goals, and that, in turn, I am able to become a real and that, in turn, I am able to become a real asset to your company as a member of your asset to your company as a member of your passenger service team.passenger service team.

Closing ParagraphClosing Paragraph Calls for Calls for ACTIONACTION

Ask for an interviewAsk for an interview Offer to come to the employer’s office when it Offer to come to the employer’s office when it

is convenient.is convenient. Make action easy by giving your telephone Make action easy by giving your telephone

numbernumber

Thank you for your time and Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome a consideration. I would welcome a personal interview in which we may personal interview in which we may discuss my potential contributions to discuss my potential contributions to your company. Please telephone me your company. Please telephone me at (808) 669-2201 after 2 pm and at (808) 669-2201 after 2 pm and suggest a time at which it will be suggest a time at which it will be convenient for us to talk. I look convenient for us to talk. I look forward to your reply.forward to your reply.

Cover Letter “Do’s”Cover Letter “Do’s” Address your letter to a specific personAddress your letter to a specific person Tailor each cover letter to the specifics of Tailor each cover letter to the specifics of

each job for which you apply: market each job for which you apply: market yourself effectivelyyourself effectively

Check your spelling and grammarCheck your spelling and grammar Always keep a copy for reference and Always keep a copy for reference and

follow upfollow up

Cover Letter “Do’s”Cover Letter “Do’s” Use your stationeryUse your stationery Use proper titles – Dear Mrs. Lacro/ Dear ErikaUse proper titles – Dear Mrs. Lacro/ Dear Erika Sign in black inkSign in black ink Compliment the company – extend your thanksCompliment the company – extend your thanks Thank you for your considerationThank you for your consideration Don’t tell them you will call at 3P on Tuesday to Don’t tell them you will call at 3P on Tuesday to

make an appointmentmake an appointment