Cover LettersCover Letters Also called Job Application Also called Job Application
LetterLetter Personalized for the particular Personalized for the particular
job and organizationjob and organization Show that you are fit for the jobShow that you are fit for the job
InterestedInterested EnthusedEnthused QualifiedQualified ProfessionalProfessional
The ProcessThe Process
Step 1: Research Step 1: Research
Step 2: Review your job Step 2: Review your job postingposting
Step 3: Begin your Cover Step 3: Begin your Cover LetterLetter
Begin At The BeginningBegin At The Beginning
What goes at the top?What goes at the top? NameName AddressAddress
Moving soon?Moving soon? Reliable phoneReliable phone
What is your outgoing message?What is your outgoing message? Reliable emailReliable email
What does your email address say What does your email address say about you?about you?
Begin At The Beginning, Begin At The Beginning, continuedcontinued
DateDate
Contact name and addressContact name and address
Opening SalutationOpening Salutation
Tia MadisonTia Madison2277 Napa Vallejo Highway2277 Napa Vallejo HighwayNapa, Ca 95598Napa, Ca [email protected]@aol.com510-729-3348510-729-3348
September 26, 2007September 26, 2007
Dr. Lawrence AngelDr. Lawrence AngelDepartment of OncologyDepartment of OncologyKaiser PermanenteKaiser Permanente11 Solano Hwy.11 Solano Hwy.Vallejo, Califonia 94591 Vallejo, Califonia 94591
First ParagraphFirst Paragraph
Position you are applying forPosition you are applying forHow you know of the positionHow you know of the positionAny connection you have to Any connection you have to
the companythe companyMention Job title, number, & Mention Job title, number, &
publicationpublication
A brief introduction A brief introduction A description of how you meet the A description of how you meet the
minimum and desirable minimum and desirable qualificationsqualifications
A description of one or two of your A description of one or two of your most impressive accomplishments most impressive accomplishments relevant to the job.relevant to the job. Show knowledgeShow knowledge Personal experiencePersonal experience
Second Paragraph
Third ParagraphThird Paragraph
Request an interviewRequest an interview Cordial conclusionCordial conclusion
Dear Dr. Angel:Dear Dr. Angel:
I am writing in response to your advertisement in for I am writing in response to your advertisement in for a . After reading your job description, I am confident a . After reading your job description, I am confident that my skills and my passion for technology are a that my skills and my passion for technology are a perfect match for this position.perfect match for this position.
I would bring to your company a broad range of I would bring to your company a broad range of skills, including: (List)skills, including: (List)
I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss this position with you. If you have questions or this position with you. If you have questions or would like to schedule an interview, please contact would like to schedule an interview, please contact me by phone at or by e-mail at . I have enclosed my me by phone at or by e-mail at . I have enclosed my resume for your review, and I look forward to resume for your review, and I look forward to hearing from you.hearing from you.
Sincerely,Sincerely,(Name)(Name)EnclosureEnclosure
ABSOLUTELY…ABSOLUTELY…
No TyposNo Typos
No JargonNo Jargon
No Grammatical errorsNo Grammatical errors
Remember you only have 15 Remember you only have 15 secondsseconds
Do not Ignore the stated Do not Ignore the stated criteria. criteria.
Remember that it is all about the Remember that it is all about the presentationpresentation
Do not forget your contact Do not forget your contact information. information.
Do not make salary demandsDo not make salary demands
Remember…Remember… Before writing your cover letter, Before writing your cover letter,
research the company to which research the company to which you are applying. you are applying.
Keep it short. Most cover letters Keep it short. Most cover letters stick to one page and use a stick to one page and use a standard business letter format. standard business letter format.
Consider using bullet points in Consider using bullet points in your middle paragraphs to your middle paragraphs to further highlight further highlight accomplishments. accomplishments.
Don't get too personal or Don't get too personal or wordy. wordy.
Don't brag. Don't brag. Skip the statistics. Skip the statistics. Never, never send a Never, never send a
photocopied letter or use a photocopied letter or use a form letter. form letter.
10 Cover Letter Tips To Make You Irresistible To Employers (4:56)10 Cover Letter Tips To Make You Irresistible To Employers (4:56)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkt5xIUwG7o&feature=related
10 Tips for a Better Cover Letter (6:20)10 Tips for a Better Cover Letter (6:20)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4nPOLu-TaE&feature=related
Résumé'sRésumé's
Job or Career ObjectiveJob or Career Objective
Announce your general goalAnnounce your general goal Mention some important demonstrated skillsMention some important demonstrated skills Specific areas in which you want to workSpecific areas in which you want to work
EducationEducation ExperienceExperience Special InterestsSpecial Interests MembershipsMemberships CertificationsCertifications ReferencesReferences
A RESUME IS USED TO…A RESUME IS USED TO…
Initiate contactInitiate contact Facilitates the interviewFacilitates the interview Serves as a recordServes as a record
ANSWER THE QUESTIONSANSWER THE QUESTIONS
Review job postings and ask the Review job postings and ask the questions that are askedquestions that are asked
MAKE NO MISTAKEMAKE NO MISTAKE
Check for typosCheck for typos Your documents represent your Your documents represent your
workwork Have others review your Have others review your
documentsdocuments Melissa Forman - Hilarious Resume TyposMelissa Forman - Hilarious Resume Typos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FClWySJ6Sxs&feature=related
Top 10 Resume MistakesTop 10 Resume Mistakes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeZ-cIPGtLc&feature=related
Biggest resume mistakes (4:02)Biggest resume mistakes (4:02)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZalKNsr74o&feature=related
TELL THE TRUTHTELL THE TRUTH
Do not stretch the truthDo not stretch the truth Be positiveBe positive
Types of Résumé'sTypes of Résumé's
Chronological ApproachChronological Approach Functional ApproachFunctional Approach Email Email OnlineOnline ScannableScannable
Functional ResumeFunctional Resume
Focus is on skills, aptitudes, & Focus is on skills, aptitudes, & qualitiesqualities
Skills are organized into Skills are organized into categoriescategories
Good tool for candidates who Good tool for candidates who lack direct job related lack direct job related experienceexperience
Writing a Functional Resume (11:06)Writing a Functional Resume (11:06)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyScLXJFNkMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyScLXJFNkM
Resume elementsResume elements
Name & Contact InformationName & Contact Information NameName AddressAddress Phone numbersPhone numbers E-mail addressE-mail address WebsiteWebsite
Job or Career ObjectiveJob or Career Objective
Announce your general goalAnnounce your general goal Mention some important demonstrated Mention some important demonstrated
skillsskills Specific areas in which you want to workSpecific areas in which you want to work
EducationEducation ExperienceExperience Special InterestsSpecial Interests MembershipsMemberships CertificationsCertifications ReferencesReferences
POWER OF WORDSPOWER OF WORDS
DevelopedDeveloped OrganizedOrganized ParticipatedParticipated PersuadedPersuaded ProficientProficient PromotedPromoted QualifiedQualified RevisedRevised ScheduledScheduled StrengthenedStrengthened StructuredStructured SuccessfulSuccessful DirectedDirected EditedEdited ExpandedExpanded FormulatedFormulated GuidedGuided ImprovedImproved InfluencedInfluenced KnowledgeableKnowledgeable
WHAT COMES FIRST?WHAT COMES FIRST?
Education or ExperienceEducation or Experience
Look for what seems to be most Look for what seems to be most important to employerimportant to employer
Profile vs. ObjectiveProfile vs. Objective
Profile- Here is what I have to Profile- Here is what I have to offeroffer
Objective-Here is what I wantObjective-Here is what I want
ReferencesReferences
No need to state that they areNo need to state that they are Available upon requestAvailable upon request
Have 3-5 written on your behalfHave 3-5 written on your behalf
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