COVER LETTER WORKSHOP

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COVER LETTER WORKSHOP

• B Kimmel Yeager

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What do Future Employers Say?

• Samantha Brauner-Assistant Director of Health
  Education and Wellness
• Ohio University
• My number one point in a letter is to show that
  you have a link with the position, that you are
  interested with the school and the location.
  Basically, something specific to show me that
  interviewing you will be worth my time, and that
  the resume wasnt sent through a mass mailing. I
  really like it when the candidate has matched
  their experience with the job description.

• Char Rae-Director of First Year Students,
  University College
• Ohio University
• Accuracy and precise grammar and spelling are
  essential. Any errors can result in a tossed
  letter or at least a lowered opinion. Cover
  letters are often valued in that they can reveal
  more of the applicant's personality than a
  resume. They can provide the applicant a means of
  expressing themselves creatively and a way to
  stand out among others with similar or equal
  qualifications.  The experts I've read advise
  writing a cover letter that is more like a
  personal letter and not one that is stiff and
  formal and filled with the usual clichés. 

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More Employers

• Char Kopchick-Director of Health Education and
  Wellness
• Ohio University
• The one thing I hate to see is anything sappy
  or condescending. For instance you need look no
  further, or Im the only candidate to consider.
  We even had one submitted that had the
  candidates favorite quotes written all over it.
• Kimberly Trout-Associate Bursar
• Ohio University
• I like to see how their written communication
  is.  Obviously, if they have poor grammar, that
  is a sign of how they possibly could be in
  person.  I do not use it for its actual content
  because everything is on the resume and just
  summarized on the cover letter.
• Sean Simone- Area Director, Student Family
  HousingUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel
  Hill Dont give me too much to read. If there
  are too many words, I wont even read it. There
  are too many resumes and letters to get through,
  I want the nitty gritty.

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Different Types of Letters

• Solicited or invited letters - tailor to specific
  job requirements
• Unsolicited or "cold" letters - a broader
  marketing approach emphasizing your capabilities
• Referral letter - name-drop to get employer's
  attention

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Heading

• Your Address Return AddressCity, State,
  ZipDate of Letter
• Contact's Name Inside AddressContact's
  TitleCompany NameStreet AddressCity, State,
  Zip
• Dear Mr./Ms. Contact's Name Salutation

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Opening Paragraph

• State purpose
• Use recommender's name
• Mention source of lead
• Capture attention
• Use name of mutual friends (If this is
  appropriate)
• State top credentials
• Name position seeking
• Consider opening with a question
• Be assertive

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Body Paragraph

• Show enthusiasm
• Highlight skills that match job
• Identify how skills obtained
• Use bullets for emphasis
• Point to accomplishments
• Limit paragraph/sentence length
• Build credibility
• Present confident tone
• Give reasons for interest
• Demonstrate knowledge of
• company/industry/functional area

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Closing Paragraph

• Be bold, convincing, assertive!
• Ask for the interview!
• State your next step
• Give specific dates/timeframes
• Refer to enclosed resume
• Make employer's reply easy

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Signature

• Sincerely, (Enthusiastically, Gratefully,
  Respectfully)
• Closing 3-4 lines for signature
• Type Full Name

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Helpful Hints

• If you cannot address your letter to a specific
  person (i.e., a blind ad in the newspaper), omit
  the salutation. Use Re Market Analyst Position,
  Subject Event Planning Coordinator Position, or
  Attention District Sales Manager.
• Avoid "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir or
  Madam."
• Don't guess at gender. If you're not sure, use
  the person's entire name (Dear Kelly Jones)
  instead of Mr. or Ms.
• Write the kind of letter you'd like to receive if
  you were an overworked hiring manager with
  limited time and pressing needs (and perhaps a
  slightly jaded attitude and a somewhat ruthless
  screening approach).
• Don't request an employer respond to you at "your
  earliest convenience."
• Though it's unfair, ads may ask for salary
  expectation or history. While ignoring the
  request may occasionally eliminate you, it's
  probably worth the risk. Instead of a specific
  figure, give a broad range or indicate that
  compensation is negotiable.
• Observe the three P's -- be patient, polite and
  persistent in your follow-up.
• PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD

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Action Words to Add to Letter

• Account
• Achieve
• Administer
• Assess
• Advise
• Consult
• Collaborate
• Create
• Expand
• Diagnose
• Devise

• Establish
• Implement
• Institute
• Maintain
• Motivate
• Promote
• Review
• Spearhead
• Supervise
• Troubleshoot
• Unite
• Vault

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Questions to ask before you send

• Is it clear? Will it impart my meaning to the
  reader?  
• Is it concise? Do I say everything I want to say
  in the fewest words possible?  
• Is it well organized? Am I including relevant
  ideas?  
• Am I projecting to the employer the contribution
  I can make?  
• Have I expanded on areas in my background that
  are particularly relevant to the position and
  employer?

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References

• Beatty, R. (1984). The Resume Kit. New York John
  Wiley Sons.
• Fournier, M. Spin, J. (1991). Encyclopedia of
  Job-Winning Resumes. Round Lake Round Lake
  Publishing.
• Petras, K. Petras, R. (1995). The only Job
  Hunting Guide Youll Ever Need. New York Simon
  Schuster.
• http//www.ume.maine.edu/career/letters.html
• http//www.olin.wustl.edu/wcrc/students/coverlette
  rs.htm
• Ohio University Career Services

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• www.resume.com
• http//editorial.careers.msn.com/gettinghired/cove
  r_letters/
• http//www.coverletterguides.com
• http//www.instantcoverletters.com
• http//www.1-2-3-cover-letter.com/