cover letters -
more important than the resume?
What is a cover letter? Watch this video.
REad and discuss the info below.
What should be in a cover letter?
First of all, your cover letter needs to include your contact information (name, address, phone, email) so prospective employers can get in touch with you.
Your cover letter should include at least three paragraphs:
1. What you are applying for and where you found the job posting - First Paragraph
2. What you have to offer - Middle Paragraph(s)
3. How you will follow-up - Final Paragraph
In the first paragraph, if you are writing in response to a job posting, indicate where you learned of the position and the title of the position. More importantly, express your enthusiasm and the likely match between your credentials and the position's qualifications.
The second paragraph of your cover letter should refer specifically to the qualifications listed in the job posting and illustrate how your particular abilities and experiences relate to the position for which you are applying.
The final paragraph of your letter should reiterate your interest in the job and let the employer know how they can reach you and include your phone number and email address.
Cover Letter Format
Cover letter presentation matters as much as what you include. When writing cover letters it's important to use a basic font that is easy to read. Depending on the hiring process your cover letter may be viewed in an applicant tracking system or other online hiring system. Those systems work best reading simple text rather than fancy formatting.
It's also important for the hiring manager to be able to easily read your resume. Using a basic 12 point font will ensure that your cover letter is easy to read. Basic fonts like Arial, Verdana, and Times New Roman work well. Don't forget to leave space between paragraphs and to proof your letter before you send or upload it. Your cover letter fonts should match your resume.
from: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettertips/qt/coverformat.htm
1. What you are applying for and where you found the job posting - First Paragraph
2. What you have to offer - Middle Paragraph(s)
3. How you will follow-up - Final Paragraph
In the first paragraph, if you are writing in response to a job posting, indicate where you learned of the position and the title of the position. More importantly, express your enthusiasm and the likely match between your credentials and the position's qualifications.
The second paragraph of your cover letter should refer specifically to the qualifications listed in the job posting and illustrate how your particular abilities and experiences relate to the position for which you are applying.
The final paragraph of your letter should reiterate your interest in the job and let the employer know how they can reach you and include your phone number and email address.
Cover Letter Format
Cover letter presentation matters as much as what you include. When writing cover letters it's important to use a basic font that is easy to read. Depending on the hiring process your cover letter may be viewed in an applicant tracking system or other online hiring system. Those systems work best reading simple text rather than fancy formatting.
It's also important for the hiring manager to be able to easily read your resume. Using a basic 12 point font will ensure that your cover letter is easy to read. Basic fonts like Arial, Verdana, and Times New Roman work well. Don't forget to leave space between paragraphs and to proof your letter before you send or upload it. Your cover letter fonts should match your resume.
from: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettertips/qt/coverformat.htm
WATCH THese videos- discuss what you learn in the videos and read and discuss the text in between the videos. Thank you.
It can be time consuming to write a custom cover letter for each job you apply for, but it's important to take the time and effort to show the company why you are a good match.
Showcase Your Qualifications
Employers typically won't even consider a candidate who doesn't appear to be qualified at first glance. That first glance at your cover letter is your one opportunity to make a good impression and make it to the next round. In order to pass that first round of screening, you must specifically address the job ad and state why you are qualified for the position
To write a custom cover letter, take the job posting and list the criteria the employer is looking for. Then list the skills and experience you have. Either address how your skills match the job in paragraph form or list the criteria and your qualifications.
Also include skill, results and recognition keywords in your cover letter to increase your chances of getting selected for an interview.
This way, the hiring manager can see, at a glance, why and how you're qualified for the job.
Showcase Your Qualifications
Employers typically won't even consider a candidate who doesn't appear to be qualified at first glance. That first glance at your cover letter is your one opportunity to make a good impression and make it to the next round. In order to pass that first round of screening, you must specifically address the job ad and state why you are qualified for the position
To write a custom cover letter, take the job posting and list the criteria the employer is looking for. Then list the skills and experience you have. Either address how your skills match the job in paragraph form or list the criteria and your qualifications.
Also include skill, results and recognition keywords in your cover letter to increase your chances of getting selected for an interview.
This way, the hiring manager can see, at a glance, why and how you're qualified for the job.
Everything that you have heard so far tells you to make sure you get someone's name to address the letter to - and not to send it to "To Whom it May Concern." There are ways of finding out to whom your letter and resume should be sent - BUT, if you just can't find a way to get an exact name this next video gives you a short tip on what to do about that.
PowerPoint Presentation on cover letters
Use the letter generator below to write a cover letter. Read the directions here.
Make a new folder on your shares drive and call it resumes.
Save this practice letter in your folder as a pdf.
Just make up the job that you are applying for - but focus on the second paragraph (The argument) where you tell about how you are right for the job and you highlight your skills.
Letter generator
What should be in each part of a cover letter?
Introduction
Your introduction should discuss the following:
• Where you saw or heard about the position
• A brief background on the organization and its goals
• How your experience matches the position
• How you will help the organization achieve its goals
• Your objective: an interview
Your introduction should discuss the following:
• Where you saw or heard about the position
• A brief background on the organization and its goals
• How your experience matches the position
• How you will help the organization achieve its goals
• Your objective: an interview
Body Paragraph 1
This paragraph should discuss the following:
• More detail on company goals/mission
• More detail supporting your claim that you can help them achieve goals/mission
• Specific example based on information in résumé
• How you will help the organization
This paragraph should discuss the following:
• More detail on company goals/mission
• More detail supporting your claim that you can help them achieve goals/mission
• Specific example based on information in résumé
• How you will help the organization
Closing Paragraph
This paragraph should do the following:
• Repeat your main objective: an interview
• Provide contact information
• Close the letter in a professional manner
• Provide signature block
• Provide enclosure information
This paragraph should do the following:
• Repeat your main objective: an interview
• Provide contact information
• Close the letter in a professional manner
• Provide signature block
• Provide enclosure information
Microsoft word cover letter
write a cover letter using A microsoft word template and the job advertisement below. Use what you have learned to make a good cover letter that will get you the interview.
Save it in your resume folder
| lettergeneratorexample.pdf |
|
JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: Dallas Multimedia Group Hiring Manager: Addison Forrester Company Address: 755 Finance Avenue Dallas, Texas 75214 MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER (ENTRY) Job Summary: Use multiple technologies and artistic methods to create special effects, characters or scenes, web-based designs, animation or video games within our educational based earning and resource tools. Storyboards, plot lines and time based systems are a part of the responsibilities a multimedia artist will use to further develop a story in a video game or animation format. The applicant must have essential technological skills and an artistic eye for detail. Must be able create realistic images by controlling light, color, shadow, texture and movements and be able to create two and three-dimensional designs using modeling programs. These programs help make images move and allow characters to begin interacting with each other on screen. Multimedia Designer Skills & Requirements:
taco bellJob position: TEAM MEMBER - CASHIER & FOOD PREP JOB
COMPANY NAME: Taco Bell Location: 302 Mall Blvd Savannah, GA 31406 Job Summary You enjoy people and providing friendly, accurate service to customers as well as your teammates and managers. Key responsibilities include greeting customers in the restaurant or drive-thru, taking and ringing up orders, handling payment and thanking customers. You’ll also prepare and store food ingredients, assemble food and beverage orders, check to make sure they’re correct, package products, and maintain a clean, safe work and dining environment. Team Member behaviors include:
This Summary Overview generally describes key job duties for Taco Bell Corporate employees. It is not all-inclusive, and a similar job at other Brands, Franchise or License locations may be different. |