The Basics of a Cover Letter—Steven Garber
- Resumes and cover letters are a marketing tool. Attract the employers attention by creating an effective sales pitch.
- Format—employers can make judgments about you simply by looking at the appearance of your cover letter
o The Parts of a Letter
§ Return address, date, inside address, salutation, length (3-4 short paragraphs)
o Paper Size
§ 8.5x11
o Paper Color and Quality
§ Use quality paper in a conservative color (white); match envelope, cover letter, and resume
o Typing and Printing
§ No handwritten letters, serif fonts are easier to read
o Envelope
§ Mail everything in standard, business-sized envelope that matches stationary, type your envelopes
- Content—try to determine the correct person to send your application to if not specified, much depends on size of company and who usually does the hiring
o Mapping it Out—Important to know what the company is all about and communicate in first few sentences why you have an interest in the company
§ First paragraph- state the position for which you’re applying and mention the source
§ Second paragraph- indicate what you can contribute and show how your qualifications will benefit the company, don’t talk about what you can’t do, and keep it brief
§ Third paragraph- mention accomplishments and awards, cite any projects you’ve worked on with excellent outcomes—prove that you are an exceptional candidate, not just a good one
§ Fourth paragraph- you look forward to hearing from them, thanks or their consideration (don’t ask for interview—thoughts on this?)
§ Complimentary close- Sincerely, Emily (don’t forget to sign the letter!)
- Tips for Successful Cover Letters
o What Writing Style Is Appropriate?
o Tone: Reserved Confidence Is Always in Style
o Emphasize Concrete Examples
o Use Powerful Language
o Avoid Catchphrases
o Mention Personal References?
o Proof with Care
- Avoid
o Unrelated career goals, comparisons and clichés, wasted space, form letters, inappropriate stationary, “amusing” anecdotes, erroneous company information, desperation, personal photos, confessed shortcomings, misrepresentation, demanding statements, missing resume, personal information, choice of pronouns, tone trouble, gimmicks, typographical errors, messy corrections, omitted signature
- Other Letters
o Cover Letters for Special Situations
§ Haven’t had a paid job in a long time
o Response to a “Blind” Advertisement
o Like on craigslist? (you don’t know the company)
o Cold Letters
o Broadcast Letters
o Letter to an Employment Agency
o Letter to an Executive Search Firm
o Networking Letters
o Thank you letters—write one! Short and sweet, send promptly
Your Resume on the Internet—Margaret Riley Dikel and Frances E. Roehm
- The Myth about the Internet Resume
o You do not have to have a print resume and an e-resume. When done correctly, one will suffice.
o Same resume, different formats: 1. Designed, hard copy version, 2. Scannable version, 3. Plain-text versions, 4. E-mail version
o PDF file?
- Rules for Responding Online
o Include a cover letter
- E-Resumes are not just for E-mail
o Can post resumes online on places like Monster.com
- Preparing a Perfect Plain-Text Resume
o Tips for plain-text formatting—is this necessary?
- Where, oh, where should that Resume Go?
o 1-2 large online databases
o 1-2 target resumes databases
**Protect yourself, internet privacy and safety
- Resume Blasters: The Wave of the Future or a New Form of Spam?
- Help with Resumes and Cover Letters
- Online Guides and Guidance
o Purdue OWL—very useful! Especially for grammar and formatting questions
Follow-Up Letters—Karl Weber and Rob Kaplan
- Networking Interview Follow-up Letters
o Open by thanking the person for taking the time to talk to you, comment on the discussion you had (compliment the person), close with a promise to be in touch and a request for the person to send job leads your way
- Job Interview Follow-up Letters
o Very important!
o Opening, The Pitch: “Why Me?”, The Pitch: “Why You?”, Closing
- Job Acceptance Follow-up Letters
- Job Turndown Follow-up Letters
- Job Rejection Follow-up Letters
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteI was searching for some information about Executive search and I´ve found a company called Ascentador.
Cheers,
Usher