ROAD S UCCESS

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ROAD SUCCESS
COVER LETTER TIPS

THE
TO

• begins with YOUR cover letter.

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• 123 Happy Avenue
• Grand Forks, ND 58201
• (2 spaces)
• December 12, 2009 (dont abbreviate)
• (2- 4 spaces depending on the length of the
  letter)
• Ms. Sally Somebody
• Director of Human Resources
• Finders Corporation
• 444 Tulane Street
• Fargo, ND 58501
• (2 spaces)
• Dear Ms. Somebody (Never by first name and
  only
• (1 space) Sir /
  Madam if absolutely necessary)

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Paragraph 1 There are 2 items to be mentioned
  in this paragraph.
• 1.)the reason for the letter, such as, that you
  are applying for (or) seeking a sales manager
  position.
• 2.) Close this paragraph by telling the employer
  where you heard about their business or the
  positions you are inquiring about. State the name
  of the publication, employment agency, or
  networking contact, this will give the employer a
  reference point about the contact. (Note 3
  sentences a paragraph)
• (1 space between paragraphs)

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• SAMPLE 1A
• I am writing today to express interest in
  working for your company. I am currently a
  Junior at the University of North Dakota,
  majoring in Communications and am looking for an
  internship or a co-op position for the summer
  term. In researching your company, I feel that I
  could be an asset to your team. I would like to
  gain experience in the Advertising/Marketing
  field and believe that your company is exactly
  what I am looking for.

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Sample 1B
• John Allen of your firm informed me of an
  opportunity within your company as a
  Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. I also
  found a more detailed job description on
  Monster.com. Please consider this letter as my
  application for that position.

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Paragraph 2
  This paragraph gives the reader an
• 1.) indication of your interest in the position
• 2.) and why you chose their company
• (Note 3 sentences a paragraph)
• (1 space between paragraphs)

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Sample 2A
• Growing up on a family farm, I have come to
  understand how important insurance is to the
  farmer and their family. I also understand that
  ABC Company is a business that was founded to
  protect farmers and ranchers from the natural
  disasters they faced in their business. I am
  very interested and excited to join ABC Company
  so that I can learn more about helping people
  protect their families and their businesses.

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• SAMPLE 2B
• I was particularly attracted to your organization
  because of the wide diversity of projects it is
  involved in. Working in the areas of retail,
  hospitality and entertainment is what I have
  always wanted to do and those are areas that your
  organization specializes in. I am especially
  interested in your international perspective
  because my concentration in the MBA program is
  International Business and because I have studied
  abroad. I find the number of offices you have
  exceptionally appealing because of the various
  layers of management necessary to make this
  corporation run successfully. This fits with my
  ultimate goal of being part of a management team
  in an international business. I believe that my
  education along with my internship experience as
  ___________ will enable me to assist your
  organization on many levels.

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Paragraph 3
• Why the company should consider YOU for an
  interview.
• Tell the reader about your relevant work
  experience (paid or unpaid) as well as your
  educational strengths. Tell the reader only the
  most important skills you have, especially those
  that relate to the position you are seeking. If
  you are a graduate with little work experience,
  explain how your education has prepared you for
  the position, but be specific.
• (Note 3 sentences a paragraph)
• (1 space between paragraphs)

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Sample 3A
• As you can see on my resume, I possess the
  qualifications to join your team in a number of
  different positions. I am a proven leader who
  believes that accountability and integrity are
  essential in today's workforce. As President of
  a Greek Fraternity chapter that ranks in the top
  10 in the country, I have traveled the country
  and given presentations to hundreds of people. I
  possess the communication and teamwork skills to
  work with anyone to conquer a task. With hard
  work and dedication, we can work together to help
  your company continue to strive for excellence
  and succeed to our fullest potential.

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• SAMPLE 3B
• I believe that I am well qualified to fill this
  position because of both my education and
  experience. I will graduate from the University
  of North Dakota (UND) in May 2006 with a Bachelor
  of Business Administration degree in Marketing.
  Through my current position at PRACS Institute, I
  have gained an immense interest in pharmaceutical
  products and the developments within the
  pharmaceutical industry. I have worked several
  part-time and temporary positions while earning
  my way through college. Most of those positions
  have been sales related or customer service
  oriented and some have entailed management
  responsibilities. Please see my enclosed resume
  for further details. Through these experiences,
  I have had the opportunity to learn the
  importance of building relationships with
  customers and the effective use of good
  communication tools in making a sale as well as
  in building a business.

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Paragraph 4 The closing paragraph should
• 1.) refer the reader to any attachments, such as
  your resume.
• Education majors good place to mention
  credential file and what is in your file and when
  it is being sent.
• 2.) ask for an interview and include your
  telephone number (so the employer can contact
  you).
• 3.) offer to assist if additional information is
  needed
• 4.) contain questions about the application
  process, how to get additional information, the
  fact that you will be following up the letter
  with a phone call, that you have an answering
  machine and will return calls promptly, or dates
  and times you will be available for interviews.
• 5.) A closing sentence that shows appreciation
  for their time.
• Note 3 sentences 1 paragraph)
• (2 spaces after final paragraph and before
  closing)

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Sample 4A
• Please refer to my resume for a detailed account
  of my education and work experience. I look
  forward to visiting with you about this
  (Co-op/Intern) position, and respectfully request
  the opportunity to interview with you and ABC
  Company. If you require additional information
  or would like to set up an interview, I can be
  reached by phone at [phone] or by e-mail
  at john.doe_at_und.nodak.edu. I look forward to
  hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time
  and consideration.

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Sample 4B
• I have enclosed my resume for your review. I
  would welcome the opportunity to talk or meet
  with you to discuss further the position and my
  qualifications or to provide you with any
  additional information you might require. I will
  be relocating to your area upon my graduation
  from UND in May of 2006. Prior to that, I may be
  reached by phone at [phone] or by e-mail
  at jane.doe_at_und.nodak.edu. I look forward to
  hearing from you soon. Thank you, for
  considering my application.

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Sincerely, or Sincerely yours,
• Respectfully, or Respectfully yours,
• (4 spaces - allow room for your signature)
• Mark Anybody (Type your signature)
• Enc. or Enc.(s) (enclosure(s) is optional)
• (Note The body of the letter should be
  centered on the page.)

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Suggestions of what NOT to do
• Use abbreviations in your addresses (except for
  states)
• Be sloppy about formatting
• Have any spelling or grammatical errors
• Use different colors of paper for cover letter
  and resume
• Repeat what is already on your resume (refer to
  resume for details)

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Suggestions of what NOT to do
• Use a first name in a business salutation
• Buy or create perfumed paper
• Use background images
• Use the stationery of your current employer
• Handwrite your letter
• Send a photocopied letter with only an address
  change
• (i.e. Mass mailing)

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• DOS
• Include all your contact information in the
  letter and on the envelope
• Determine the appropriate contact person
• Center your letter on the page
• Use the same font for resume and cover letter
• Use quality 8 ½ by 11 paper (24 weight)
• Choose a conservative color white, off white,
  gray, beige, pale blue
• Use a 9 X 12 manila envelope (flat) to send
  letter

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• DOS
• Use a Word Processing program and a letter
  quality printer (Recommend laser printer)
• Type your label or envelope (Neat handwriting is
  acceptable.)
• Give an overview of your capabilities and show
  why you are a good candidate for the job
• Assume that the lowest ranking person will do the
  prescreening
• Write your cover letter/resume to include all of
  the essential components of the ad that pertain
  to you
• Make your qualifications clear so that the reader
  wont have to read between the lines (Dont
  assume they know what you mean.)

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COVER LETTER TIPS

• Finally, write your cover letter in your own
  words. Let your personality, your passion and
  your enthusiasm for the position and the company
  shine through! (Then
  have someone else proofread it for you!)
• Career Services staff can sure proofread it for
  you!
• Call to make an appointment at 777-3904.