Cover Letters and Job Applications

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Cover Letters and Job Applications
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Cover Letters

• Cover letters
• Are used when you send your resume through the
  mail
• Are advertisements of yourself
• Allows you to tailor your application to each
  specific job
• An opportunity to let your prospective employer
  hear your voice

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Types of Cover Letters

• General
• Addressed to Dear Employer
• Date omitted
• Emphasizes your qualifications
• Specific
• Directed at a specific company, person, or
  position
• Personally addresses companys needs

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Purposes

• To obtain an interview
• To gain an attentive audience for your resume
• It reflects
• your personality,
• your attention to detail,
• your communication skills,
• your enthusiasm,
• your intellect, and
• your specific interest in the company to which
  you are sending the letter

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Audience

• Cover letters should be tailored to each specific
  company you are applying to.
• Conduct research to know the interests, needs,
  values, and goals of each company, and your
  letters should reflect that knowledge.

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Content

• Addressed to the specific company and the
  specific individual who will process your
  application
• The letter should name the position for which you
  are applying and also make specific references to
  the company. You want the reader to know
• Why you want to work at that specific company, 
• Why you fit with that company, and
• How you qualify for the position to which you
  applying.

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Content cont.

• The cover letter should also
• highlight the most important and relevant
  accomplishments, skills, and experience listed in
  your resume
• point to the resume in some way (as detailed in
  the enclosed resume")
• request specific follow up, such as an interview.

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Format

• The first paragraph should be brief, perhaps two
  or three sentences, stating
• what job you are applying for and how you learned
  about it 
• any personal contacts you have in or with the
  company 
• your general qualifications for the job. 

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Format cont.

• The body of your letter should
• Consist of one to three longer paragraphs in
  which you expand upon your qualifications for the
  position.
• Be as specific as possible, and
• Refer the reader to your resume for additional
  details.
• The concluding paragraph of your letter
• Should request an interview.
• State where and when you can be reached, and
  express your willingness to come to an interview
  or supply further information.
• Close by thanking your reader for his or her time
  and consideration.

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Cover Letter Example 1
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Cover Letter Example 2
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Job Applications

• When are job applications used by employers?
• Part-time, entry-level, and blue collar jobs
• Employers use applications to screen potential
  employees.
• They use the information from the applications to
  determine who they are going to call for a job
  interview.

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Filling Out Job Applications

• Arrive prepared with the information you need.
  Bring your
• Resume
• Social security card
• Driver's license
• References
• Addresses and phone numbers of previous
  employers, as well as starting and ending
  salaries for each previous job.

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Filling Out Job Applications

• Read and follow instructions carefully.
• Complete the application as neatly as possible.
• Use blue or black pen
• Use an erasable pen or take some "white-out
• Don't fold, bend, or otherwise mar the
  application.
• Tailor your answers to the job you are seeking.

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Filling Out Job Applications

• Don't leave any blanks.
• Don't provide any negative information.
• Always answer questions truthfully.
• Do not put specific salary requirements.
• Provide references.
• Keep your application consistent with your
  resume.
• Proofread your application before submitting it.

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Job Applications

• Be prepared for all kinds of job applications,
  from simple one-page applications to multi-page
  applications and some will be clean and crisp
  copies while others will appear to be photocopied
  a few too many times.
• Take your time and do the best you can, always
  keeping in the back of your mind the goal of the
  application -- getting you an interview.

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References

• http//www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/cover_letter.
  html
• www.careercc.com
• www.jobweb.com
• www.quintcareers.com