Unit Two- Career Choices

9. Lesson Nine: The Cover Letter

1. Write a cover letter to accompany your resumé.

2. Identify key components of the cover letter.

Writing a cover letter often seems like a particularly daunting task.  However, if you take it one step at a time, you'll soon be an expert at writing letters to send with your resume. 

• Explain why you are sending a resume.
  Don't send a resume without a cover letter. 
  Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities?
  
• Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization — a flyer posted in your department, a web site, a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write.
  
• Convince the reader to look at your resume.
  The cover letter will be seen first.
  Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer.
  
• Call attention to elements of your background — education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples.
  
• Reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills.
  
• Provide or refer to any information specifically requested in a job advertisement that might not be covered in your resume, such as availability date, or reference to an attached writing sample.
  

• Indicate what you will do to follow-up.
  In a letter of application — applying for an advertised opening — applicants often say something like "I look forward to hearing from you." However, if you have further contact info (e.g. phone number) and if the employer hasn't said "no phone calls," it's better to take the initiative to follow-up, saying something like, "I will contact you in the next two weeks to see if you require any additional information regarding my qualifications."
  In a letter of inquiry — asking about the possibility of an opening — don't assume the employer will contact you. You should say something like, "I will contact you in two weeks to learn more about upcoming employment opportunities with (name of organization)."  Then mark your calendar to make the call.

1. Letter of Application: applying for a specific, advertised opening. 

Check out this website for sample letter of application

2. Letter of Inquiry: expressing interest in an organization, but you are not certain if there are current openings. 

Check out this website for sample letter of inquiry

Information-seeking letters and follow-up
	To draft an effective cover letter, you need to indicate that you know something about the employing organization.  Sometimes, even with research efforts, you don’t have enough information to do this. In such a case it is appropriate to write requesting information

A cover letter typically accompanies each resumé you send out. Your cover letter may make the difference between obtaining a job interview and having your resumé ignored, so, it makes good sense to devote the necessary time and effort to writing effective cover letters.

A cover letter should complement, not duplicate your resumé. Its purpose is to interpret the data-oriented, factual resume and add a personal touch. A cover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression.

You must take time to plan your cover letter and resume. Prospective employers want information about you to see how you match the their needs.

Take a step back and think before you write. Ask: What can I offer the employer? You need to find the most relevant, specific accomplishments or skills you have to compel the employer to interview you. Your cover letter impress this information on the reader’s so you rise to the top of the list of prospective interviews.

So the first step is to draw up the specific content to use in your cover letter. The better you do this, the better the result and your chances of success.

A cover letter tailors your qualifications to the job on offer. You have the reader's attention for about 20 seconds—so keep it short and to the point. Write it so strongly the employer wants to offer you an interview before reading the details of your resume. The cover letter should work hard for you, covering the essential information and selling you as the best candidate for the post. 

Compare these two cover letter examples.

Example of a standard cover letter				Example of a professionally written cover letter
John Noakes 1221 Stave Avenue Calgary, AB T2K 3Y7 Dear Sir or Madam: I was interested in the position of Sales Executive advertised in a recent issue of Computer Monthly and wish to be considered for the post. I have attached my resume and would be happy to attend an interview at a mutually convenient time. Yours sincerely, John Noakes				John Noakes 1221 Stave Avenue Calgary, AB T2K 3Y7 Sales Executive advertised in Computer Monthly Dear Mr. Johns: Joining Datacom’s Sales Team I would like to join Datacom Office Equipment as your new Sales Executive and bring to your organization my 12 years of experience working on international corporate clients for Bestdata. My training at Bestdata helped me become Regional Sales Representative of the Month four times in two years. After my promotion to North-East Regional Sales Manager, we improved training for sales representatives, revamped our marketing strategy and moved into direct selling on the Internet. Sales increased by 30 per cent in the next year. Many of these ideas apply to Datacom's product range, especially the innovative portable telephones and fax machines you recently launched in the trade press. I'd be happy to discuss these ideas at an interview. Could we arrange an interview in early June when I am in New York? Yours sincerely,   John Noakes Enclosed: Resume

The standard letter is easy to write, but does nothing to get you an interview. The professionally drafted alternative is harder to write, but well worth it.

The following website was referenced: http://www.writing-cover-letters.com/write-a-professional-letterhead.html

Cover Letter Format Guidelines:

Your Street Address City, State Zip Code Telephone Number Email Address Month, Day, Year Mr./Ms./Dr. FirstName LastName Title Name of Organization Street or P. O. Box Address City, State Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. LastName: Opening paragraph: State why you are writing; how you learned of the organization or position, and basic information about yourself. 2nd paragraph: Tell why you are interested in the employer or type of work the employer does (Simply stating that you are interested does not tell why, and can sound like a form letter). Demonstrate that you know enough about the employer or position to relate your background to the employer or position. Mention specific qualifications which make you a good fit for the employer’s needs. This is an opportunity to explain in more detail relevant items in your resume. Refer to the fact that your resume is enclosed. Mention other enclosures if such are required to apply for a position. 3rd paragraph: Indicate that you would like the opportunity to interview for a position or to talk with the employer to learn more about their opportunities or hiring plans. State what you will do to follow up, such as telephone the employer within two weeks. If you will be in the employer’s location and could offer to schedule a visit, indicate when. State that you would be glad to provide the employer with any additional information needed. Thank the employer for her/his consideration. Sincerely, (Your handwritten signature) Your name typed, Enclosure(s) (refers to resume, etc.) (Note: the contents of your letter might best be arranged into four paragraphs. Consider what you need to say and use good writing style. See the following examples for variations in organization and layout.)