Dynamic Cover Dynamic Cover LettersLetters

Writing a Successful Cover LetterWriting a Successful Cover Letter

ByBy

Nancy LoBelloNancy LoBello

What is a Cover LetterWhat is a Cover Letter

Also Referred to as:Also Referred to as:

Letter of IntroductionLetter of Introduction

Letter of ApplicationLetter of Application

Transmittal LetterTransmittal Letter

Broadcast LetterBroadcast Letter

Why You Need a Cover Why You Need a Cover LetterLetter

Your resume is useless without itYour resume is useless without it

Informs employer as to what kind of Informs employer as to what kind of work you dowork you do

Type of position you are looking forType of position you are looking for

Your qualifications for the positionYour qualifications for the position

Your Cover Letter Will…Your Cover Letter Will… Highlight aspects of your Highlight aspects of your

experience that are most experience that are most useful to the employeruseful to the employer

Call attention to your skills, Call attention to your skills, talents, and experience talents, and experience

Explain things your resume Explain things your resume can’tcan’t

Open a “little window” into Open a “little window” into your dynamic personalityyour dynamic personality

Three Kinds of Cover LettersThree Kinds of Cover Lettersfor Three Types of Job Searchesfor Three Types of Job Searches

The Invited Cover LetterThe Invited Cover Letter-A job has been advertised-A job has been advertised

The Uninvited Cover LetterThe Uninvited Cover Letter-No job has been advertised, but you would -No job has been advertised, but you would

like to work at this companylike to work at this company

Uninvited Cover Letter (with an edge)Uninvited Cover Letter (with an edge)-No job has been advertised, but a mutual -No job has been advertised, but a mutual

friend has recommended you make contactfriend has recommended you make contact

The Invited Cover letterThe Invited Cover letter

Only 20 percent of job Only 20 percent of job openings are publicly openings are publicly advertised (open)advertised (open)-Newspaper, trade -Newspaper, trade

magazines, Web site magazines, Web site postingspostings

-Employment agencies-Employment agencies

Enables you to Enables you to speakspeak to the requirements of to the requirements of the adthe ad

The Uninvited Cover LetterThe Uninvited Cover Letter(cold-contact letter)(cold-contact letter)

80 percent of the job market is “closed”80 percent of the job market is “closed”

Can’t find out about these positions unless Can’t find out about these positions unless you digyou dig

Proactive approach to job-huntingProactive approach to job-hunting

Great tool for uncovering hidden jobsGreat tool for uncovering hidden jobs

The Uninvited Cover LetterThe Uninvited Cover Letter(cold-contact letter)(cold-contact letter)

Your letter can leave a lasting impression if a job Your letter can leave a lasting impression if a job opens upopens up

Opportunity to sell your talentsOpportunity to sell your talents

You may obtain an interview or a referral to You may obtain an interview or a referral to others in the field who may have a use for youothers in the field who may have a use for you

Should be sent to a named individualShould be sent to a named individual-(research “whom it may concern” and get a name)-(research “whom it may concern” and get a name)

Uninvited Cover LetterUninvited Cover LetterWith an EdgeWith an Edge

AKA- referral letterAKA- referral letter

Prominently displays the name of a person Prominently displays the name of a person your your addresseeaddressee knows (name-dropping) knows (name-dropping)

Product of networkingProduct of networking-Use everyone you know as a resource to find a -Use everyone you know as a resource to find a

jobjob

Experts say networking is the most Experts say networking is the most effective method of job-huntingeffective method of job-hunting

First ParagraphFirst Paragraph

Spark the employers interestSpark the employers interest

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

-The one thing that makes you different -The one thing that makes you different from all the other job- seekersfrom all the other job- seekers

-Identify two or three benefits you can -Identify two or three benefits you can offer the employeroffer the employer

First Paragraph OpenersFirst Paragraph Openers

Cold Contact (be sure to research the Cold Contact (be sure to research the company for an individuals name)company for an individuals name)

Example:Example:““I am writing to introduce myself and to I am writing to introduce myself and to

inquire about opportunities to work in inquire about opportunities to work in your department.”your department.”

First Paragraph OpenersFirst Paragraph Openers

Referral LetterReferral Letter

Example:Example:““Annie Jones (the mutual friend) has Annie Jones (the mutual friend) has

suggested I contact you. I am a (state suggested I contact you. I am a (state your position) with entry level your position) with entry level experience in the (name the field). experience in the (name the field). Annie said you are always looking for Annie said you are always looking for experienced (job title).”experienced (job title).”

First Paragraph OpenersFirst Paragraph Openers

Invited Cover Letter (job has been Invited Cover Letter (job has been advertised)advertised)

Example:Example:““I am writing to respond to the (job title) I am writing to respond to the (job title)

position advertised in the (name of position advertised in the (name of newspaper) this week.”newspaper) this week.”

Second ParagraphSecond Paragraph

Provide more detail about your Provide more detail about your professional/academic accomplishmentsprofessional/academic accomplishments

Stress accomplishments and Stress accomplishments and achievementsachievements-Show you’re a mover and a shaker-Show you’re a mover and a shaker

-How you can contribute to the organization-How you can contribute to the organization

-Describe how you show initiative-Describe how you show initiative

-Show you can be a key player-Show you can be a key player

Second Paragraph OpenersSecond Paragraph Openers Cold ContactCold Contact Example:Example:

““My background includes…” (add two to three sentences My background includes…” (add two to three sentences about your experience, achievements, about your experience, achievements, accomplishments).accomplishments).

Invited cover letter (job advertised)Invited cover letter (job advertised) Example:Example:

““I am a (?) with entry level skills in the (?) industry. My I am a (?) with entry level skills in the (?) industry. My strengths include: (bullet list or paragraph noting your strengths include: (bullet list or paragraph noting your skills as requested in the ad).”skills as requested in the ad).”

Third ParagraphThird Paragraph

Research the companyResearch the company

Show that you know something about the Show that you know something about the companycompany

Relate yourself to the companyRelate yourself to the company-Give details why you should be considered for -Give details why you should be considered for

the positionthe position-Expand on your qualifications while showing -Expand on your qualifications while showing

knowledge of the companyknowledge of the company

Third Paragraph SampleThird Paragraph Sample

Example:Example:

““Your company has an excellent Your company has an excellent reputation for (name something from reputation for (name something from your research), and I know the your research), and I know the combination of my experience, combination of my experience, education, and motivation to excel will education, and motivation to excel will make me an asset to your (name the make me an asset to your (name the department of the job you are seeking).”department of the job you are seeking).”

Fourth ParagraphFourth Paragraph ( (Final paragraph)Final paragraph)

Proactive - and request actionProactive - and request action-Ask for an interview or meeting-Ask for an interview or meeting

-Express your confidence that you are a -Express your confidence that you are a perfect fit for the jobperfect fit for the job

-Inform the employer that you plan to -Inform the employer that you plan to follow-up within a specified timefollow-up within a specified time

Fourth paragraph SampleFourth paragraph Sample

Example:Example:

““I am sure it would be worthwhile for us to I am sure it would be worthwhile for us to meet. I will contact you within a week to meet. I will contact you within a week to arrange a meeting. Should you have any arrange a meeting. Should you have any questions before that time, you may questions before that time, you may reach me via phone (312-555-5555) or reach me via phone (312-555-5555) or via email (jdoe@cmail .com).”via email (jdoe@cmail .com).”

In “Closing” your letterIn “Closing” your letter

Example:Example:““Thank you for your time and Thank you for your time and

consideration.consideration.

Sincerely,Sincerely,

(sign your name)(sign your name)

(type your name)(type your name)

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts Follow-up is key on interviews you ask forFollow-up is key on interviews you ask for Be persistent but not annoyingBe persistent but not annoying Employers admire drive and ambitionEmployers admire drive and ambition Your persistence means you truly want to work for that companyYour persistence means you truly want to work for that company Plan on making some phone calls, sending follow-up letters or Plan on making some phone calls, sending follow-up letters or

sending emailssending emails

ResourcesResources

www.quintcareers.com/www.quintcareers.com/cover_letters.htmlcover_letters.html

www.quintcareers.com/www.quintcareers.com/jobseeker_glossary.htmljobseeker_glossary.html

www.quintcareers.com/job-www.quintcareers.com/job-hunting_success.htmlhunting_success.html