Tài liệu Cover Letters: More Helpful Hints ppt

Cover Letters: More Helpful Hints
By Idaho State College & Stonehill College

Sell yourself.
We're not talking about Amsterdam's Red Light District. We're talking about finding a job. Cover letters
are your first sales pitch to potential employers. Remember that employers receive hundreds of resumes
and cover letters from people that are applying for the job YOU want. Your goal is to stand out from the
other candidates. A good cover letter introduces you to an employer and explains why you are one of the
best candidates applying for a job with the organization. It should motivate the employer to read your
resume and hopefully invite you to interview for a position you are seeking.
What does a cover letter do? Basically, it expands on your resume and lets you write about yourself in a
more personal way. Cover letters don't have to be stiff and formal avoid the "rubber stamp" letter. The
voice behind the letter should be warm, friendly and genuine. Employers want to hire real people, not
robots. Although your letter should reflect your personality, always keep your audience in mind. Catchy
opening sentences are wonderful for creative jobs in communications and advertising, but Wall Street
might not appreciate it. Before you send out your cover letter, show it to someone in the industry to get
feedback.
Ten Basic Rules:
1. Type each letter or use a computerized cover letter service so each letter looks individually
typed.
2. Use 8 1/2" x 11" bond paper that matches your resume.
3. Address each employer by name and title. Never send a "Dear Sir/Madam" letter it's too
impersonal.
4. Send your letter to the highest-ranked official possible so that it will receive immediate attention.
5. Check for grammar and spelling errors. This letter is the first example of your writing skills and
how you present yourself.
6. Keep your letter short (three to five paragraphs) to hold the reader's interest.
7. Start your letter with a strong, attention-grabbing sentence.
8. Mention past experience along with recent accomplishments.
9. Convince the company that they want you and need you. Propose a mutually beneficial
association with that employer.

10. Have an aggressive closing paragraph and state a specific action, i.e., I will call you in ten days
to set up an interview. P.S.: It is important to keep a record of all your correspondence and what
stage each application is in.
Purpose & Strategies
• Your cover letter is more than likely the first contact you will have with a potential employer. If it is
well-written, your letter will lead the reader to your resume. If your letter is poorly written or
produced, the employer may not even take time to review your resume and your application has
a good chance of ending in the circular file.
• When you prepare the cover letter put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. If you were
doing the hiring, what attributes would the ideal candidate for this job possess? You probably
would prefer that the person has work experience similar to, or at least applicable to, the position
he or she is applying for. You would want the ideal candidate to be ambitious and anxious to
contribute his or her energy and skills to the success of your organization. The perfect candidate
would demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, your particular company or organization. In
short, you would want to hire an energetic, dedicated and skilled candidate.
• The cover letter affords the opportunity for you to present yourself as the perfect candidate.
Imagine your cover letter as a marketing tool, much like a television commercial. Effective
commercials catch your attention by highlighting only the most attractive features of a product.
• Highlight your most attractive features as a potential employee. Remember, employers typically
receive hundreds of applications for each job opening. No one is going to waste time reading
through a long letter crammed with text. Be brief. You should avoid detailing your entire work
history. The best way to distinguish yourself is to highlight one or two of your accomplishments or
abilities that show you are an above-average candidate for the position. Stressing only a few
unique attributes increases your chances of being remembered by the recruiter and getting to the
interview stage, where you can elaborate on the rest of your accomplishments.
• Taking time to research each employer promises to be much more effective than sending out
hundreds of form letters. In effect, you are saying to employers, "This is where I want to work. I
have done my research and I am confident in my decision."
More Cover Letter Tips
• Never send out a resume without a cover letter.

• Address your cover letter specifically to the person by name and title who will most likely be
interviewing for the job you have in mind.
• Call the employer's switchboard to ask for this information.
• If you are answering a blind newspaper advertisement- one in which the employer is not
specified- you can address your letter "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Hiring Manager."
• The cover letter should be neat, contain no typos, misspellings or errors in grammar. Employers
judge you on your ability to communicate and your ability to manage the presentation of
information. A cover letter does both.
• Use 8 1/2 x 11 paper allowing a border of at least one inch. This allows space for the reader to
make notes.
• Use the same quality paper as your resume. Match envelope as well.
• Use a clear type face large enough to allow easy reading. Avoid script and other exotic
typefaces.
• Individualize your cover letter. Each cover letter you write will have a somewhat different slant,
depending on what skills are important to the needs of the particular employer.
• Whenever possible, do some research on the organization or company before you write your
cover letter.
• Read annual reports or product brochures or by contacting people in the organization.
• Keep it to three or four paragraphs and no longer than one page.
• Always close your cover letter with a request for an interview.
• Suggest a specific time or reason, such as: "I will be in your area next week and would
appreciate the opportunity for an interview on Tuesday or Wednesday."
• Be assertive.
• Make a record and keep a copy of each letter and resume you send.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
• "Mention projects under development, recent awards, or favorable comments recently published
about the company. You can find such information in the business press, including the business
section of local newspapers and the many magazines that are devoted to particular industries." -
Neale Baxter, from Occupational Outlook Quarterly
• " you need to make it easy for the employer to buy. You need to clearly state when you will be

available to talk to the employer. Be specific: give telephone numbers where you can be reached
both at work and off work. You could have a tremendous background and see yourself very well,
but if the employer can't reach you, everything could be lost." -Lola M. Coxford, from Resume
Writing Made Easy for High-Tech
• "No cover letter should carry the salutation, 'To whom it may concern.' It will concern no one if
you don't personalize it. The surest way to get the information is to find the name in trade
journals or in The Standard & Poor's Register, The Dun & Bradstreet Directory, or other
directories. Failing all that, call the company and ask for the name of the appropriate person." -
Kenneth and Sheryl Dawson, Job Search, The Total System
• "Because you can use your cover letter to highlight certain aspects of your resume, the same
resume can be used to pursue different job opportunities. The beauty of the cover letter is that
you can gear it to each particular company that is the recipient of your resume by stressing your
most important qualification." -Adele Lewis, from The Best Resumes for Scientists and Engineers
• "If there is a catch-22 situation in job hunting, it involves the cover letter. Even in situations where
it is not requested, you should attach a cover letter to your resume. However, a review of the
cover letter is one of the most common methods by which candidates are eliminated from the
process. The cover letter is rarely anything but a liability, but you must include it because its
absence is worse." -Jeff B. Speck, from Hot Tips, Sneaky Tricks & Last Ditch Tactics
• "Poor grammar, bad punctation, and misspelled words suggest that the applicant is either poorly
educated or simply doesn't care about the impression created The chances are unusually high
that the employer is going to forgo reading the accompanying resume and quickly move on to the
next job applicant." -Richard H. Beatty, from The Perfect Cover Letter

Generic Guidelines/Format

Your Address
Your Phone

Date

Contact Person's Name
Title
Address

Dr. Mr./Ms.__________________________

Paragraph 1

State the position you are applying for and how you heard about the opening. Immediately explain why
your background makes you the best candidate for the position you are applying for. Keep the first
paragraph short and hard-hitting.

Paragraph 2

Detail what you could do to contribute to this company, organization or school system. Show how your
qualifications will benefit the employer. Point out your unique background and how your experiences
make you a qualified candidate for the position. Remember to keep this letter short; few employers will
read a cover letter over one page.

Paragraph 3

Describe your interest in the company, organization or school system. Subtly emphasize your knowledge
about the employer (from the results of your research) and your familiarity with the industry as a whole.
You should present yourself as eager to work for this employer.

Paragraph 4

In the closing paragraph, you should specifically request an interview. Include your phone number and
the hours you can be reached. Alternatively, you might prefer to mention that you will follow up with a
phone call (to arrange an interview at a mutually convenient time within several days).

Sincerely,

Your full name (typed)


Sample 1
1111 School Street
Stonehill, MA 02357
(508) 565-0000

January 1, 2000

Ms. Snapple Lady, Director of College Recruiting
Snapple Industries
P.O. Box 123456
Boston, MA 00000

Dear Ms. Snapple:

I am writing to express my interest in the marketing position you recently advertised with the Career
Services Office at Stonehill College. I will be graduating from Stonehill College this May with a degree in
Management Science and I am very interested in beginning a career in sales and marketing with Snapple
Industries.

You will note from the enclosed resume that many of my extracurricular and work experiences involved
the organization, promotion and publicizing of events. I have had direct sales experience soliciting
potential customers for We Three Caterers and have been successful in managing employees in various
capacities. Perhaps the most challenging and rewarding experience I have had was working with
Congressman Kool and the organizing committee of the Stonehill College Literary Festival. I am

confident that I have the sales and managerial skills required to be a contributing member of the Snapple
organization.

A letter and resume can tell you only so much about my motivations and qualifications. I would welcome
the opportunity to discuss my background with you in person. I will call you at the end of next week to
discuss whether such a meeting would be possible and to confirm appropriate next steps.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Mary Neidajob



Sample 2
253 Brompton Road
Brockton, MA 000000
(508) 588-0000

January 1, 2000

Mr. Richard Smith
Manager of Personnel
Adams Products, Incorporated
22 West Blackstone
Boston, MA 000000

Dear Mr. Smith:

In response to your recent advertisement in the Boston Sunday Globe, I would like to apply for the

position of Personnel Assistant.

I recently read with interest an article about Adams Products, Incorporated, in the Journal of Industrial
Relations. Your research in the area of employee maximization through quality of life considerations is an
exciting development and I would like to begin my career in labor relations with your company.

My qualifications are based upon a unique combination of education, skills, and work experience. While
completing my major in Management at Stonehill College, I studied topics including strategic
management, cost accounting and economic theory. This was combined with twelve hours of psychology
which included coursework in motivation theory and workplace ecology. These courses gave me an
understanding of the concerns facing the personnel specialist. This knowledge is complemented by
practical experience of employer-employee relations gained while working first as a clerk and then as an
evening manager in a retail store.

My resume is enclosed for your further consideration. I am available for an interview at your convenience,
and I look forward to discussing with you the contribution I can make to Adams Products in the position of
personnel assistant. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Will U. Paimee