Cover Letter Online Workshop

17
Writing Cover Letters and Other Correspondence Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service
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Transcript of Cover Letter Online Workshop

Page 1: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Writing Cover Letters and

Other Correspondence

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 2: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Types of Letters• Cover letter

• Thank You Letter

• Networking Letter

• Follow-Up Letter

• E-mail correspondence

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 3: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Cover Letter: Purpose• To introduce yourself, your resume, and get an interview (not necessarily the job)

• To persuade, while resume presents facts

• To connect to an employer or a position via field of interest, mutual acquaintances

• To highlight how your skills and experience meet the employer’s needs

• Often viewed as a writing sample

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 4: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Sample Cover Letter FormatWellesley College21 Wellesley College Road, Unit 1122Wellesley, MA 02481

February 14, 20XX

Contact Name, TitleOrganization NameStreet AddressCity, State Zipcode

Dear Ms./Mr./Dr.:

Opening paragraph: Why are you writing?

2nd paragraph: Why do you want to work there?

3rd paragraph: Why should the organization hire you? What are your goals and qualifications?

Closing paragraph: What happens next? Request an interview.

Sincerely,Your SignatureYour name

EnclosureCopyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and

Service

Page 5: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Opening Paragraph• Explain who you are and why you are writing

• Mention a mutual acquaintance, or name of a person who referred you to the employer

• If you attended an information session, open house, or career fair, state so

• Express where you learned of the opportunity

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 6: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

2nd Paragraph• Communicate your desire to work for this employer.

• Consider:• Potential employer’s reputation• Information from their web site, an information session, or from an alumna/other contacts

• Articles read, experience using their products, etc.

Page 7: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

3rd Paragraph• Explain the employer why they should hire you

• Include long-term/short-term goals

• Highlight your qualifications without repeating your resume verbatim

• Address job/internship requirements stated in the job description

Page 8: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Closing ParagraphNext steps:

• Communicate how the employer can reach you and clarify any special dates or ways you can be reached

• If you want to follow up in a week, state the date of the week and do so

• Respect employer’s hiring process when following up

• Thank the reader

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 9: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Cover Letter Tips• Check your spelling and grammar

• Research the company and industry before writing

• Each cover letter should be tailored to its recipient

• Be concise and to the point: how do you want the reader to remember you?

• Be aware of run-on sentences

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 10: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Cover Letter Tips - Continued• Do not start every sentence or paragraph with “I”

• Avoid the passive voice, such as “this opportunity allowed me to gain analytical skills…”

• The first letter you write will be the hardest

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 11: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Cover Letter Checklist• Be sure the letter is dated

• Proofread. Grammar and spelling must be perfect.

• Limit letter to one page

• Read letter aloud and have others read it

• Stationery and font should match resume and envelope

• Sign your letterCopyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and

Service

Page 12: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Worksheet: Preparing Your Cover Letter• What is the main message you want to convey to an employer or internship sponsor?

• Why you do want to gain experience in this field and/or work for this employer or internship sponsor?

• Why should the employer/internship sponsor interview you? Name three adjectives that best describe you as a candidate. List relevant, concrete examples from your resume or background.

• Discuss your answers with a friend or CWS counselor to get started.

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 13: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Thank You Letter• Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to discuss your qualificationsCan include:• Any new or follow-up information• Reminder of your qualifications and your continued interest

• An interesting or helpful statement you made during the meeting

• Send a separate letter or e-mail to each interviewer within 24 hours

• Check your spelling, especially of the interviewer’s name, and grammar

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 14: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Networking Letter• Relay your career interest to those who can offer contacts or industry information for your job or internship search

• Provide context of your letter. Specify what you may have in common with the reader, i.e., Wellesley College, name of person who made the referral and her relationship to you

• State what you need from the reader, e.g., advice on gaining entry to the industry or type of organization, list of local organizations or contacts in the field

• Enclose your resume for the reader’s information

• May end with an action statement to initiate personal contact

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 15: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Follow-Up Letter• To be sent if some time has lapsed since you last heard from a potential employer

• Written to express your continued interest

• A reminder of your qualifications

• An inquiry about the status of the search

• A brief discussion of any new ideas you have had since the interview

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service

Page 16: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Email as Cover Letter• Insert job title in the “Subject” line• In the salutation, use the contact person’s title and last name (e.g. “Dear Ms. Jones:”), not first name

• Keep length to the size of one screen • Summarize your interest and skills for the position

• Use traditional, formal language, not txt msg’ing words

• Make sure you attach your resume• You can also attach a formal cover letter with your resume. In that case the email serves as a short introduction to your cover letter and resume

• The cover letter and resume file names should contain your name and the position desiredCopyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and

Service

Page 17: Cover Letter Online Workshop

Help from CWS• A CWS counselor can help you think through what you want to include in your letters and answer your questions

• Come to the CWS Drop-Ins for a 10-minute cover letter review (Monday-Friday 12:30 pm-2 pm when classes are in session)

• For in-depth help with writing skills, go to Writing Tutors at the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center

Copyright 2012, Wellesley College Center for Work and Service