The MBA Marketing Program Strategy

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MBA Career Services Center Cover Letter Tutorial

• This power point presentation will
• Define the purpose of a cover letter
• Describe how to differentiate a cover letter
• Outline a good structure
• Describe what each paragraph should contain
• Outline when to submit one and why
• Share what recruiters say about cover letters
• Provide additional resources
• Updated February 2007

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Purpose of a Cover Letter

• Your cover letter is a document that
• convinces the reader to look at your enclosed or
  attached resume
• makes a sales pitch that matches your skill sets
  and qualifications to positions
• is specific and customized to each job
• demonstrates your knowledge of the industry,
  company, and position
• that outlines how your career interests fit with
  the specific company or position
• Differentiates yourself
• Sample Cover Letters are not provided in this
  tutorial because recruiters DO NOT like to see
  similar letters from all candidates at the same
  school. If you want to see some sample letters,
  please make an appointment with Dr. Liz Bain (see
  last page).
• Additionally, each cover letter needs to be
  unique for each candidate.
• Do not establish a template cover letter. Start
  from scratch with each letter you write.

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Good Cover Letter Structure

• Major sections
• Heading your name, address, telephone, email
  address
• (2 spaces)
• Date
• (2 spaces)
• Inside Address Name, Title, Department/Office
  (if applicable), Street/Office Address, City,
  State, Zip of person letter is written to.
• (2 spaces)
• Salutation Dear (Mr., Mrs., Mrs. or Dr. last
  name), only use first name if correct salutation
  not known) As a last resort, use To whom It May
  Concern, Hiring Manager, or Corporate
  Recruiter but this is not recommended.
• Body of letter includes 3 separate, distinct
  paragraphs.
• Closing Sincerely, your first and last name
• Bottom enclosure (Encl.) or attachment
  (Attach.)
• center text from bottom to top

Structural image

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Paragraph One

• Opening Sentence Grab readers attention with
  what you can specifically contribute and give
  depth of company knowledge.
• Show passion and enthusiasm for the position and
  company.
• State purpose for writing (to read your resume
  and obtain interview).
• Creatively communicate your current student
  status (i.e., first or second year)
• Begin to match your skills, abilities,
  experiences with the position (in one sentence).

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Paragraph Two

• Note Your RESUME must be complete and written
  competitively so you can better define what you
  are selling in the cover letter.
• Convince the reader with evidence why you should
  get an interview. This is where you prove what
  you stated in first paragraph about your skills,
  experiences and knowledge.
• Match skills the position is seeking with
  examples in S.T.A.R. format from work or academic
  experiences--pick top 2-3. The strongest appeal
  will come from your examples or stories.
• Example While at Aerospace Systems I was
  deeply involved with the strategic planning
  process, particularly with systems and technology
  issues. Consulting with diverse vendors of
  technology I had many opportunities to achieve
  significant results for the vendor as well as my
  own firm. In managing these vendors, I
  coordinated the entire project, from initial
  negotiation through project completion.

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Paragraph Three

• 2 sentences only
• Come full circle and reiterate your desire to
  interview. Convey your enthusiasm and eagerness.
  Dont make statements about how well you fit for
  the jobas you are still in the stage of trying
  to obtain the interview.
• Bring closure with a summary statement.
• Example Thank you for this opportunity to
  introduce myself. It would be my pleasure to
  share more about my experiences and how they
  match with (XY position at AB company) in an
  interview.

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When to send and how

• It will be rare to send a cover letter hard copy
  through the mail or fax. Cover letters will most
  often be sent via email as attachments or as part
  of the body of the email message.
• When applying through eRecruiting and it is not
  specifically listed that a cover letter is
  required, you do not HAVE to include one, but it
  is recommended and beneficial if you do.
• If it states, Cover Letter Required-YES, then
  always include one, of course. If it states, No
  to Cover Letter Required? than you do not have
  to include one.
• When applying through a companys website, always
  include one. Depending on the venue for
  submitting your resume, you may have to include
  the cover letter in the body of an email
  message to a general email address, like
  careers_at_gm.com.
• When attaching your resume for consideration to a
  specific contact you have, for a specific job
  posting, you may include your cover letter in the
  body of the emailnot as a separate attachment.
  Some postings may define specifically which is
  preferred.

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What Recruiters say about Cover Letters

• The cover letter should not be memorable for the
  wrong reasons, like typos!
• candidates can be eliminated from interview
  consideration because of gross errors in the
  salutation/address (wrong company) or because of
  poor quality writing or content.
• use the cover letter to see of the candidates
  intent.
• look for professionalism in writing and goals
  and objectives, and I prefer to receive via
  email.
• look for specific experiences that are
  highlighted.
• to see if candidate did company research.
• Cover letters provide great insight into
  communication skills.
• look for differentiating factors like, proper
  grammar, or correct spelling of name.
• The cover letter should be short and
  to-the-point.
• Cover letters are simply used to review writing
  skills.
•  

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Additional Resources
Wetfeet.com http//msumba.erecruiting.com/er/secu
rity/login.jspVault.com http//msumba.erecruiti
ng.com/er/security/login.jspFunctional
portfolio with keywords http//www.mba.msu.edu/ca
reers/students/links.cfm?category163Cover
Letter Writing Help Worksheet
http//www.mba.msu.edu/newsletter/cltutorial/cover
lettertutorialexercise.doc Good article on cover
letter writing http//www.robinryan.com/greatLett
er.htm Dr. Elizabeth Bain, Faculty Advisor to
the MBA Program at baine_at_msu.edu or 355-7604 If
you want to see specific examples of cover
letters, or if you have never written a cover
letter, please come in to the office for an
appointment, as this is the best way to learn.