Cover Letters Handout

A Cover Letter:

  • acts as an introduction to your resume and so should be on top of your resume.
  • should always be included with your resumewhether it is requested or not.
  • should NOT just be a copy of your resume.
  • Highlight some of your achievements.
  • should NOT be stapled to the resume.
  • lets you show your writing and reporting skills and your clear thinking.
  • is a business letter:
  • do not use slang or humor.

A Cover Letter Should:

  • be typed unless the job ad specifies a hand written cover letter (then definitely handwrite it).
  • be customized per employer. Or, at the very least, customized per type of job.
  • show how your qualifications and experience fit the job profile.
  • be one page or less.
  • be addressed to a specific person whenever possible.
  • be error-free.
  • be backed up by facts.
  • convey your enthusiasm about the job opportunity.
  • be signed,with your name typed under your signature.

Achievements

An achievement means a particular objective was reached. In describing an achievementsay:

1) What was used to reach the objective 2) What objective was reached.

Example: Used new sales channels to increase market share beyond the state borders. The result was a 25% increase in turnover for the company.

The above statement talks about the skills used (creativity, sales channels, initiative) and the objective reached (25% increase in turnover for the company).

People in business all have the same general objectives; profit, enlarged market shares, beat the competition, develop their business, create new products. They look for candidates that have achieved objectives in these particular areas.

Cover Letter Basics (adapted,and errors corrected from “Activity 2”)

There are two types of job application:

1)unsolicited (letter of inquiry):general inquiry, not in response to an advertised job, and

2)solicited (application letter): in response to an advertised or known job

Some tips on cover letter writing:

  • Avoid praising yourself too much
  • Show your confidence and interest in the position
  • Show your full understanding of the requirements and your relevant qualifications
  • Show your capability to write a neat, correct and clear business letter.

A cover letter should include four basic components:

1)Purpose of writing (job vacancy and its information source)

2)Qualifications (highlight your value to the employer)

3)Enclosure, contact information (address, telephone number)

4)Request for interview

Example:

1) Purpose of Writing

Purposes should be stated first. In a solicited application, you should state the information source of the job ad, (newspaper, friends and acquaintances,agencies).In an unsolicited application, you usually ask directly about whether there is a vacant position in the company.

Purpose: Solicited application examples:

Purpose: Unsolicited application examples:

2) Qualifications:

This refers to the qualities helpful to the job objective. Such information should be carefully selected to be brief.

Qualificationsexamples:

5) Enclosure, Contact Information examples:

4) Request for Interview examples:

References

“Achievements that Employers Value.” CVTips.com. 1999-2007. [ (31 Mar. 2007).

“Defining an Achievement.” CVTips.com. 1999-2007. [ (31 Mar. 2007).

“General Guidelines for Writing Job Related Correspondence.” CVTips.com. 1999-2007. [ (31 Mar. 2007).

“How Employers Look at your Achievements.” CVTips.com. 1999-2007. [ (31 Mar. 2007).

“How to Write a Cover Letter.” CVTips.com. 1999-2007. [ (31 Mar. 2007).

“Job Application Cover Letter.” CVTips.com. 1999-2007. [ (31 Mar. 2007).

Shi Dingle et al. “Activity 2 How to Write an (sic) Job Application?(sic)”Business English. Beijing Institute of Technology Press. 2003. (97-108)

Christine Banks
25 State Drive
Pittsburgh, PA15205

July 9, 2007

Henry Smith

Manager, Human Resources

Hamilton and Meyer

1266-123 Main Street

New York, NY54321-1234

Dear Mr. Smith:

Re: Accountant position advertised in the New York Times

I recently received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh, and feel that my background makes me a good fit for the position of accountant at Hamilton and Meyer advertised in the New York Times on July 7, 2007.

Even though I have only recently graduated, I have several years of experience in theaccounting field. In a recent internship with Thorp and Reed, I assisted staff in their daily accounting duties and office work. This experience has given me the necessary skills to take on a full-time accounting position.

My past work and education have prepared me well for a position within the accounting industry, and I am very interested in starting a career with a company such as yours.

The enclosed resume outlines my accomplishments and credentials more fully. I am available to interview at your office anytime this month. I feel that a meeting would be mutually beneficial. I will call you within the next week to arrange an interview.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Chris Banks

Chris Banks

Cover Letters - NEMcompiled by Ruth Anderson1/5