COVER LETTERS

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COVER LETTERS

• AN INTRO TO THE RESUME

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Cover Letters Are Included With Resumes And Sent
To Prospective Employers With The Purpose Of

• Applying for a specific job
  
  
• Informing the prospective employer of your
  qualifications.
• Selling yourself as the right person for that
  particular job

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Write a letter that will actually get read!

Prospective employers read dozens of letters
and memos each week. In order to catch the
employers eye...

• Keep your letter clear and to the point .
• Sell them on the idea of granting you a job
  interview .
• Tell why you are the best candidate for the
  position

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THE MAGIC FORMULA FOR WRITING A SUCCESSFUL COVER
LETTER...

• Seize attention
• Perk interest
• Get down to business
• Show your stuff
• Wrap it up

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SEIZE ATTENTION-Paragraph 1

• FIRST PARAGRAPH
• Grab the employers interest by telling them why
  you are writing and give info to show interest
• Name the position for which you are applying and
  how you heard of it

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SEIZE ATTENTION (EXAMPLE)

• . I am interested in applying for the
  customer service position recently advertised in
  Lincoln Journal Star. The skills I have
  developed from my work experience and academic
  background support my strong interest in customer
  service.

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PERK INTEREST and SHOW YOUR STUFF-(2nd paragraph)

• SECOND PARAGRAPH
• Get the employers interest and create a desire
  on the part of the employer to know more about
  you.
• Tell why you are interested in in working for
  them.
• Point out your qualifications and achievements
  in each paragraph.

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Perk Interest and Show Your Stuff Continued

• The second paragraph should refer to highlights
  on your resume. Point out items that you are
  particularly proud of and elaborate
• Make sure you highlight particular points on your
  resume that relate to the job
• Each of these paragraphs should have a unique
  focus

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SHOW YOUR STUFF IN THE 2ND PARAGRAPH

• If you just graduated from school, if you just
  got out of the service, or if you have some
  hands-on experience-say so
• List qualifications that you possess that would
  be needed for the job

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PERK INTEREST AND SHOW YOUR STUFF (EXAMPLE)

• . As you will note from my enclosed resume,
  I have taken many Advanced Placement courses and
  have participated in many extra-curricular
  activities. These courses and activities have
  allowed me to work with many different people and
  develop excellent team building skills, both of
  which are imperative when working in the customer
  service industry.

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(Perk Interest and Show Your Stuff-EXAMPLE 2)

• In addition, I have gained valuable leadership
  experience as the President of the Soccer Club
  and student manager of the North Star basketball
  team. Through these experiences, I have readily
  accepted the duties of.

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Summary (Paragraph 3)

• The closing paragraph should pave the way for an
  interview
• Ask for an appointment
• Offer to call the employer in the near future
• Show enthusiasm and wrap it up

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Summary Example

• I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to
  further discuss my skills and qualifications.
  The chance to work for such an outstanding
  company and continue in a career field I truly
  enjoy is desirable to say the least. I will
  contact you late next week to arrange an
  appointment. Thank you for your time and
  consideration.

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A WELL WRITTEN COVER LETTER WILL...

• MAGNIFY YOUR CHANCES AT GETTING AN INTERVIEW!!!