Today’s lecture...
CV Cover Letters
Colman McMahon
cajmcmahon@gmail.com
“Hire for character,
train for skills”
http://www.dit.ie/careers/
DIT Aungier Street (Room 2038),
Dublin 2
Tel: 01 402 3082.
Email: careers@dit.ie
Module Homepage:
www.comp.dit.ie/dgordon/courses/communications/index.html
http://modulecatalogue.hosting.heanet.ie/catalogue/modules/BUSN1110/
Contact me:
Colman McMahon
cajmcmahon@gmail.com
Communications and Personal Development Module Homepage
Last lecture...
Guide to create your graduate CV

Step 1: Preparation


Step 2: Self-analysis


Do you meet the recruiter’s criteria? If so, focus on achievements and include
plenty of evidence on your graduate CV to back up your claims.
Step 3: CV layout


Research the job and company you are applying for and think about the right
kind of language to use on your CV.
What should a CV look like, and how long should it be?
Step 4: Revise your CV

Before you send it out to recruiters, make sure you’ve checked over your CV to
make sure it only includes essential information.
A good CV should...

A good CV should:

Attract attention

Create a good impresion

Present your relevant skills and qualities clearly and concisely

Promote the skills, knowledge and experience an applicant can
bring to a job.

Get you an interview!
Sections of a Graduate CV
1.
Contact details/header
2.
Personal statement
3.
Education
4.
Work experience
5.
Interests, achievements, references
1
Header
2
Personal statement
3
Education
4
5
Work Experience
Interests, achievements, referees
Optimise the Words in Your CV

Finding the right words is often one of the hardest parts
of writing a CV

Use words that contain:

Postitive characteristics

Action words

Positive descriptions

Benefits and achievements

Desireable qualities
Cover Letters
Why do you need a cover letter?

A cover letter is vital to your CV

puts your CV in context in relation to the position or organisation

outlines how you relate to its values, ethos and aspirations

puts flesh on the bare bones of the CV

presents your motivation and adaptability

points out to the employer that you have the qualities the job
calls for

makes a statement about yourself and your suitability for the job

gives a personal touch that CVs lack

highlights the most desirable elements of your CV
How to construct a cover letter

Answer the question "Why should I see you?"

Use your own words, not formal long-winded clichés

Don't make the employer work to read your letter

Keep it clear, concise and to the point

Action verbs can help to make it sound better

Include your understanding of the work/knowledge of the company, and how
you fit the criteria required

Relate your skills to the job


Show the employer that you have obtained the communicating, teamworking,
problem solving and leadership or other skills that are appropriate for the job
State your starting availability (and end, if it's a placement): be as flexible as
possible
How to construct a cover letter

Try to find the name of the person to write to.

Research has shown that CVs that include a cover letter are 10% more likely to
receive a reply

Those who addressed the cover letter and envelope to the correct named person
are 15% more likely to receive a letter of acknowledgement and 5% more likely
to get an interview

60% of CVs are sent to the wrong person (usually the MD)

Use good quality, plain paper. White photocopier paper can be acceptable
though not preferable. Use the same paper for your CV

Do not go over one page of A4 (you are not writing an essay)

Spell-check and then double-check your spelling and grammar. Spell
checkers won't pick up “form” instead of “from”, etc.

If emailed, put your cover letter in the body of the email. If you attach it with
nothing in the email body it may be misidentified as spam.
The Introduction

Having trouble starting your CV cover letter?

A simple way to begin is to explain why you're sending your CV to the recipient.

For instance, if you're providing someone with a CV in response to a job
advertisement, your opening statements could be:
Dear Mr. Job Poster,
I noticed with interest your job advertisement for a mid-level accountant in the "XYZ Times".
Therefore, I am submitting my CV (see attached) for your consideration.

Your opening lines do not have to be long or flowery

Keeping the message simple will encourage your recipient to continue reading.
The Core

The "meat" of your cover letter

selling yourself

1-3 paragraphs that highlight the reasons you are
sending your CV to the recipient

Echo some phrases from the job advertisement

Even though you have probably already indicated that
you are a qualified applicant in your CV, it's expected
that you will somewhat repeat yourself in the cover letter
The Sign-Off

Include your contact information so the recipient can
reach you for more information

Be polite; never forget to say "thank you" in some way


proper etiquette and speaks volumes about you as a person
Sign your cover letter (unless it's sent via email), as you
would all business correspondence

use only blue or black ink – anything else is inappropriate and
unprofessional
COVER LETTER FOR AN INFORMATION INTERVIEW
For help with speculative applications and effective networking
Your address
16th July 2009
Employer address
Mr. A. Hack,
Editor,
Bolton Evening News
Bolton, BT2 3AZ
Dear Mr. Hack,
I have just completed the second year of my degree in English at the University of Kent. I am very interested in
a career in journalism after I graduate and would like to know if it would be possible to visit you during the
summer to find out about the work and obtain your advice.
I currently write for the university newspaper "Inquire" and have a little sub-editing experience, which has given
me an insight into the work. I would now like to gain your opinion on newspaper journalism from a
professional perspective. If you can spare me half-an-hour, sometime between 26th June and 31st July, I
would be very grateful. Perhaps I could also meet with other staff, such as one of your journalists if it is
convenient, for a short discussion.
I enclose my CV and will telephone your office next week to ask for an appointment at a time to suit you.
Yours sincerely
Alison Dent
Alison Dent
COVER LETTER FOR WORK PLACEMENT
Date and name and address.
Employer's name and address
Dear Ms. Wise
I am looking for a placement within a pharmaceutical company from July to September of next year. I am writing to you
as I understand that Biologics may have appropriate vacancies available. I have a strong interest in anti-asthma
products which I understand is a specialty of Biologics, as I have a younger sister who suffers from asthma. As I
live only 6 miles from your site, travel and accommodation would not be a problem for me.
I first became interested in the pharmaceutical industry through talking to a Kent graduate via the University Alumni
Network last March Since then, discussion with my careers adviser has confirmed my decision to aim for a career
in this field.
Through my degree course, I have been able to develop my interest in biochemistry, whilst improving my laboratory
skills and my numeracy skills. I have gained some experience in HPLC and have good computing skills, having
used several scientific databases. I achieved 61% in my first year examinations and and hoping to achieve a good
2:1 for my course work this year. While at University, I have also been able to utilise my skills in working with
people through a variety of vacation jobs. My work at the Tourist Information Office was valuable in teaching me
the importance of ascertaining customers’ needs and providing clear and accurate information.
I would be most grateful if you could consider me for any suitable positions within your company. I will be available for
interview if required at any time up until Easter. I will be at my home address in Manchester from 18th December
to the 4th January: at all other times I can be contacted at my college address. Please find enclosed my CV where
you will find further information.
Yours sincerely
John Andrews
JOHN ANDREWS
Cover letter - analysis
Header
Date and applicant’s name and address
Employer's name and address
Dear Ms. Wise
Formal, business-like opening
Cover letter - analysis
Paragraph 1
Gives the dates available to do
the placement: this is very
important.
I am looking for a placement within a pharmaceutical
company from July to September of next year. I am
writing to you as I understand that Biologics may have
appropriate vacancies available. I have a strong interest
in anti-asthma products which I understand is a specialty
of Biologics, as I have a younger sister who suffers from
asthma. As I live only 6 miles from your site, travel and
accommodation would not be a problem for me.
States why he is interested in
working for the company &
shows evidence of having
done research
States that he lives close by so
won't need accommodation:
may give him an advantage
over other applicants
Cover letter - analysis
Paragraph 2
I first became interested in the pharmaceutical industry
through talking to a Kent graduate via the
University Alumni Network last March Since then,
discussion with my careers adviser has confirmed
my decision to aim for a career in this field.
States why he wants to
work in that field.
Cover letter - analysis
Paragraph 3
Through my degree course, I have been able to
develop my interest in biochemistry, whilst
improving my laboratory skills and my
numeracy skills. I have gained some
experience in HPLC and have good
computing skills, having used several
scientific databases. I achieved 61% in my
first year examinations and and hoping to
achieve a good 2:1 for my course work this
year. While at University, I have also been
able to utilise my skills in working with
people through a variety of vacation jobs.
My work at the Tourist Information Office
was valuable in teaching me the importance
of ascertaining customers’ needs and
providing clear and accurate information.
Shows his interest in
science
Shows he's doing well
academically
Shows he gets on well
with people
Cover letter - analysis
Paragraph 4
I would be most grateful if you could consider me for any
States when he's available for
suitable positions within your company. I will be
interview
available for interview if required at any time up until
Easter. I will be at my home address in Manchester from
Mentions that his CV is
18th December to the 4th January: at all other times I
attached/enclosed
can be contacted at my college address. Please find
enclosed my CV where you will find further
information.
Cover letter - analysis
Closing
Yours sincerely
Formal, business-like closing
John Andrews
JOHN ANDREWS
Cover Letters
References

“Readymade CVs” - ‘Sample CVs for every type of job’, The Times, ©2004

Prospects UK (http://www.prospects.ac.uk)

University of Kent, Career Services (http://www.kent.ac.uk)

MyNextRole.co.uk (http://www.mynextrole.co.uk)

Alec’s CV (http://www.alec.co.uk)

GET (http://www.get.hobsons.co.uk/advice/job-applications-cv-workshop)

Graduate Recruitment Bureau (http://www.grb.uk.com/cv_makeover.0.html)

International Graduate (http://www.internationalgraduate.net/cv-layout.htm)

Women in Technology UK (http://www.womenintechnology.co.uk/graduate-cv-advice)
Workshop
Class time to work on...

Drafting your CV

Composing a cover letter

Presentation skills

Assignment
1
Header
2
Personal statement
3
Education
4
5
Work Experience
Interests, achievements, referees
Cover Letter - Introduction
•
•
•
Having trouble starting your CV cover letter?
A simple way to begin is to explain why you're sending your CV to the recipient.
For instance, if you're providing someone with a CV in response to a job
advertisement, your opening statements could be:
Dear Mr. Job Poster,
I noticed with interest your job advertisement for a mid-level accountant in the "XYZ Times".
Therefore, I am submitting my CV (see attached) for your consideration.
•
•
Your opening lines do not have to be long or flowery
Keeping the message simple will encourage your recipient to continue reading.
COVER LETTER FOR AN INFORMATION INTERVIEW
For help with speculative applications and effective networking
Your address
16th July 2009
Employer address
Mr. A. Hack,
Editor,
Bolton Evening News
Bolton, BT2 3AZ
Dear Mr. Hack,
I have just completed the second year of my degree in English at the University of Kent. I am very interested in
a career in journalism after I graduate and would like to know if it would be possible to visit you during the
summer to find out about the work and obtain your advice.
I currently write for the university newspaper "Inquire" and have a little sub-editing experience, which has given
me an insight into the work. I would now like to gain your opinion on newspaper journalism from a
professional perspective. If you can spare me half-an-hour, sometime between 26th June and 31st July, I
would be very grateful. Perhaps I could also meet with other staff, such as one of your journalists if it is
convenient, for a short discussion.
I enclose my CV and will telephone your office next week to ask for an appointment at a time to suit you.
Yours sincerely
Alison Dent
Alison Dent
COVER LETTER FOR WORK PLACEMENT
Date and name and address.
Employer's name and address
Dear Ms. Wise
I am looking for a placement within a pharmaceutical company from July to September of next year. I am writing to you
as I understand that Biologics may have appropriate vacancies available. I have a strong interest in anti-asthma
products which I understand is a specialty of Biologics, as I have a younger sister who suffers from asthma. As I
live only 6 miles from your site, travel and accommodation would not be a problem for me.
I first became interested in the pharmaceutical industry through talking to a Kent graduate via the University Alumni
Network last March Since then, discussion with my careers adviser has confirmed my decision to aim for a career
in this field.
Through my degree course, I have been able to develop my interest in biochemistry, whilst improving my laboratory
skills and my numeracy skills. I have gained some experience in HPLC and have good computing skills, having
used several scientific databases. I achieved 61% in my first year examinations and and hoping to achieve a good
2:1 for my course work this year. While at University, I have also been able to utilise my skills in working with
people through a variety of vacation jobs. My work at the Tourist Information Office was valuable in teaching me
the importance of ascertaining customers’ needs and providing clear and accurate information.
I would be most grateful if you could consider me for any suitable positions within your company. I will be available for
interview if required at any time up until Easter. I will be at my home address in Manchester from 18th December
to the 4th January: at all other times I can be contacted at my college address. Please find enclosed my CV where
you will find further information.
Yours sincerely
John Andrews
JOHN ANDREWS
Presentation Skills

Propose your own topic

Pick from newspaper, magazine

Powerpoint Karaoke
1.
Take 10 mins to create a brief presentation
2.
Using whiteboard and pen, layout your points
3.
Talk us through your ideas...
4.
Ask for feedback
Scenario...

You have just been hired by a venture-funded PDA software development start-up
firm, Compu-Global-Hyper-Mega-Net (CGHMN), as an IT Support Specialist. You met
the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Lisa Simpson, this morning as she welcomes
you to the company and briefed you on your duties and job scope.

CGHMN is a brand-new setup and is located in Evergreen Terrace. The office space
is about 2,000 sq ft and other than the rooms being partitioned and furnished, it is still
quite bare. You are brought to meet your immediate supervisor, Milhouse Van
Houten, who is the IT Support Manager, and the IT Support Team. The IT Support
Team has 5 members, including yourself.

Milhouse gathered the team and said, "We have to get down to work fast. Amongst
the many urgent tasks, we need to equip the office for staff IT needs. We have only 5
weeks from today. We are a start-up and the bottom-line is very important. I need a
proposal with budget from the team in 1 week's time for me to vet. Once it is ok, you
will have to present it to top management. "
That’s all for today...
Sumo bene
(make good choices)