the cover letter2

The Cover Letter

Prepared by Prof. Delia SerranoModified by Prof. Natalia Pérez

Center for Language Development

Across the Disciplines

Copyright Delia Serrano 2005

An essential part of the résumé

A personalizing factor of your job application and résumé

Motivates the individual’s interest in reading your résumé

The Importance of a Cover Letter

Demonstrates focus and eagerness

Guarantees that the individual will open and read it

Enables you to make a follow up call or write a letter to seek an interview


Importance of Acquiring the Name and Address of the

Contact Person


Characteristics of an Effective Cover Letter


Heading

Include:

Your name and address

The date

Employer’s name and address

Protocol Letter Writing


Carmen Santiago MéndezUrb. Rolling Hills123 Borinquen StreetRio Piedras, PR 00975(H) 787 769-8489(M) 787 638-5490

March 29, 2005

Mrs. Zobeida GonzálezSales and Marketing ManagerJR Enterprises154 North Shore Ave.Tampa, FL 33607

SampleHeading


Normal salutation:

* If acquainted with your contact Example: Dear Anthony,

Formal salutation:

Example: Dear Mrs. Rodríguez:

Dear Ms. Ruiz: (if marital status unknown)

Dear Miss Santos Dear Mr. Soto:

Protocol Letter Writing


Generating Interest


I am responding to your recent job listing in El Nuevo Día newspaper requesting a sales manager for your company.

I read your advertisement in The San Juan Star yesterday, and after researching your company, I was impelled to apply for the position of___.

The manager of GPI Paints, Anabelle Ruiz, has suggested I contact you regarding the opening for a___.

Samples of Attention Getters


After capturing the prospective employer’s interest, secure the desired position by clearly:

Stating your intentions

Developing each sentence

Highlighting experiences and achievements

How to Demonstrate Desire


Regarding the opportunity…

If you have an opening in the field of …

My reason for contacting you is…

If you are seeking a marketing manager,

you will be interested to know…

Sample Phrases Demonstrating Desire


Establishing Contact


I look forward to speaking with you and will call your office within the next few days.

I hope to speak to you and will call at the beginning of next week to follow up.

Sample Sentences for Establishing Contact


You may reach me at 787 769-1256 to arrange an interview.

I feel certain that I can make a significant contribution, and I look forward to meeting you at your convenience.

Sample Sentences for Establishing Contact


Avoid over familiarity in the salutation

Write a clear, eye catching introductory sentence

At the beginning, quote the source and date of the employment advertisement

To Ensure the Reading of Your Résumé and Interview


In the body, demonstrate your skills and experience

Conclude with a positive statement, and establish contact

To Ensure the Reading of Your Résumé and Interview


Dates in English: month-day-yearExample: March 15, 2010

Omit commas before the year when it follows the month alone

Example: July 2006

Writing Tips to Remember



Do not capitalize common organizational terms

Examples: advertising department, manufacturing committee

Capitalize acronyms Examples: SER, MDA

Do not write contractions Example: it’s, they’re



There should be no space before and after a diagonal lineExample: and/or

Percentages should be written in figure and the word “percent” spelled out Example: 10 percent

Easily Confused Words


There indicates location – over there

Their is a possessive pronoun – belonging to them

They’re is the contraction of they are

It’s is a contraction for it is

Its is a possessive pronoun

Easily Confused Words


Than is a conjunction showing comparison Example: older than me

Then refers to a time period (now and then)

Two is a number Example: I have two birds.

Too is an adverb which means also or a lot Example: I want to go, too. I ate too much chocolate today.

To is a preposition Example: I went to the house.

Barat Norte 223 (BN 223)787-728-1515 ext. 2294

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: http://www.sagrado.edu/lad

Center for Language Development

Across the Disciplines

mailto:[email protected]


References

Cover Letter Articles. Retrieved February 2,2005, from http://www.cover.letters.your-resume-writer.com

MSN Careers-Test Your Resume Grammar and Punctuation I.Q.-Career Advice Article. Retrieved September 20, 2004, from http://msn.careerbuilder.com


The Cover Letter

Contributions by: Casandra Matos Gisela Iglesias

the cover letter2

Career

percentcopyright delia

comcopyright delia serrano

addresscopyright delia

rsum copyright delia

theyre copyright delia

dear mrs

dear anthony

number example