Cover Letter Clinic

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Cover Letter Clinic

• Tips and tricks to get your resume noticed.

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Unique advantages of a cover letter

• Adds fire power to your resume in answering job
  ads.
• Best way to penetrate the hidden job market.
• Executive recruiters prefer a cover letter.

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Mechanical Requirements Proper Punctuation

• A carelessly prepared cover letter presents a
  poor impression of you and your abilities.
• It may cost you your opportunity for an interview.

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Jump-Start Opening

• The first paragraph must catch the readers
  interest instantly!
• Bore the reader and you have lost a perspective
  employer just like that.

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Possible Openings

• Offer an immediate reader benefit
• Im an accountant who earns his cost back.
• Ask a question
• Are you getting all the new accounts you
  deserve?
• What would you do with an energetic recent
  college graduate?

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Openings, cont

• Mention a personal referral Refer to news about
  the employer
• I was impressed by the recent news about XYZs
  implementation of...
• Use a quotation.
• A sales person is only as good as his line...
• State your job objectives
• I am writing to you to explore opportunities as

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Refer to the employers ad

• I am responding to your ad in the.. (over used,
  boring)
• Several things you said in your adsuggest...
• One of the things that interested me when I read
  your ad for ()was...

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Action Close

• Close with self-assurance
• Close with a confident positive request for a
  meeting.
• Believe in yourself and it will transfer to the
  employer.

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Common Mistakes

• Failure to list accomplishments of specific
  interest to the reader.
• Repeating information already covered on the
  resume.
• Being excessively courteous.
• Focusing on your wants and needs instead of the
  employers.

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Mistakes, cont

• Listing your work phone number in your cover
  letter.
• Misspelled words, particularly the employers or
  the companys name.
• Giving salary history or salary requirements
  especially when not asked for.

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Best Cover Letter Practices

• Address your mail to a specific person.
• Always include a cover letter.
• Send in a 9x12 envelope.
• Fax or e-mail only if requested to do so.
• Never enclose letter of recommendation,
  transcripts, etc. unless requested.
• Type the mailing label.
• Get it there on time.

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Resources

• Cover Letter Magic by Wendy Enelow
• Cover Letters That Will Get You the Job You Want
  by Stanley Wyenett
• Cover Letters that Knock Em Dead by Martin Yate
• http//www.careersvcs.pdx.edu - links
• http//www.susanireland.com
• available in Career Services Office SBA 240