Mr. Webb’s Class
Cover Letter Help
All cover letters should:
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.
The guidelines here apply to both hard copy correspondence and e-mail. (To decide which to use, see email in your job search.) The main difference between e-mail and hard copy correspondence is format:
your signature block (address, etc.) goes below your name in e-mail, while it goes at the top of the page
on hard copy. Of course you won't have a handwritten signature on e-mail, but don't forget this on hard
copy.
http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm
Cover Letter Suggestions:
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.)
Resume Writing
Why Work?
• MONEY!
• Finding jobs that exist is one small step…YOU STILL
HAVE TO GET HIRED!
Preparing for writing your Resume
• Resumes do not get you hired, but they should get you
an interview
• Good communication skills can make an interview a
pleasant and productive experience, but you have to get
an interview first…SO LETS LEARN HOW TO
WRITE A RESUME!!
Preparing for your Resume continued
• In an interview you are trying look as appealing as you
can to the possible employer, so think of the resume as
the sales pitch and the interview as the deal sealer
(hopefully)
• You are the product and your employer is the consumer
and you want them to choose you
• Your resume should make them want to interview you
for the job (be honest in your resume)
Know Yourself
• The first step towards a successful resume, which will
hopefully lead to an interview, is to build a personal
inventory on yourself
• Think of your personal inventory as a rough draft for
your resume
• This info will make it much easier for you to answer
almost any interview question
• You will have this info to review before an interview, so
that you can emphasize your strengths and minimize
your weaknesses
Personal Inventory Includes:
• Work History – Include every job that you have ever had
and the specific things you did (and your bosses names,
#s, etc.)
• Education – Schools you have attended, specialized
classes, GPA, academic awards, etc.
• Self Assessment – See next slide
Personal Inventory - Self Assessment
• Set the two previous sheets aside and answer the
following questions:
• What accomplishments are you proud of?
• What mistakes have you made?
• What have you learned from them?
• How well do you interact with authority figures – such
as bosses, teachers, or parents?
Writing a Résumé
• A Résumé is a FORMAL, business version of your
personal accomplishments, skills, etc.
• A short(2 page max) list of your work experience,
education, skills, etc.
• The interview will be a place for you to explain and
elaborate on what is in your resume
Parts of the Résumé
• Name/Contact Info (AKA Identification section)
• Job Objective (crucial)
• Education
• Work History (4-6 most recent jobs or most appropriate
experience for the job you want)
• Present the information in a clean, simple, and
uncluttered outline form in the following order:
Pt. 1 – Identification - @ top of resume
• Include: Name, address, phone number, and a
PROFESSIONAL E-MAIL address
• Make your name large enough so they can see it
Part 2 - Objective or Job Goal
• This gives you a clear idea of what you are applying for
and helps focus the content of your resume.
• Start by asking yourself: “What is the purpose of this
résumé?”
• Are you applying for a part-time job, an internship, or a
scholarship?
• Once you know what you are applying for then you can
write your objective - Ex: To seek a hostess position at
fine dining establishment; To be full time teacher in the
Frisco Independent School district
Pt.3 – Education/Training/Experience
• List any schools you have attended and your grades you
have earned (don’t have to divulge grade info)
• Use your interview to explain why some of your grades
may not be as high as you’d like them to be (again, only
if they ask)
• List any job related skills you might have such as typing,
computer skills, technological knowledge, speaking
other languages, people skills, specialized knowledge etc
Pt. 4 -Work History
• Include information about each job you have held
• List your jobs in reverse chronological order (Most
recent job you have had to the least recent).
• DON’T FORGET TO BRIEFLY LIST YOUR
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
• Use present tense if you still hold the job and past tense
if you are no longer working there
Pt. 5-Personal Data
• Include clubs and organizations you belong to
EMPHASIZE ANY LEADERSHIP!
• Sports teams, 4-H activities, and anything else you think
would help your employer to know that you are a well
rounded person
• ALSO! List any volunteer or charitable work you have
done
Pt. 6-References
• At the end of your résumé state that references will be
provided upon request
• Teachers, clergy, counselors, coaches, etc would be
happy to give you references
• MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE YOU ASK TO GIVE
YOU REFERENCES LIKE YOU AND WILL GIVE
YOU POSITIVE FEEDBACK
Résumé Tips
• Be positive – Show confidence in your abilities
• Be brief – Try to keep your résumé under two pages;
think of it as a one-minute commercial about yourself
• Stick to the facts – If you cannot back it up, DON’T
SAY IT (FEMA director Brown)
• Use standard language (proper grammar, effective
sentence structure, and varied vocab).
• Keep your eye on your goal – Emphasize the education
and experience that best match the job you are applying
for