Cover Letters

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Cover Letters Resumes
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• COVER LETTERS
• Tailored to the job description AND company
  (industry)
• Cover letters should inform, entice and
  captivate prospective employers.
• Format date, address, salutation. Usually 3-5
  paragraphs
• HIGHLIGHT your qualifications as they pertain to
  the job or project
• Give short and concise examples to reinforce
  your point (s)
• Do not apologize, avoid being negative focus
  on the positive and what you DO have to offer
• Mention people and business skills- how did you
  get them?
• Your letter should answer these simple
  questions a) what can you do for them?
  b) what is your current situation?
  c) why do you want to work for
  them? d) why are you
  qualified for this position?Thank them for the
  opportunity and ask for the next step----the
  interview or the project.

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August 29, 2007 Ms. Jane Doe Director of College
RelationsBank of America101 N. Tryon
StreetCharlotte, NC 28205 Dear Ms. Doe, I was
very interested to see your advertisement for a
Networking Security Engineer on your companys
website. I have been seeking just such an
opportunity as this, and I think my background
and your requirements may be a good match. Please
allow me a moment to highlight my qualifications
and how they may benefit your company. This is
where youd talk about what skills and experience
you have in relation to the job itself and why
are interested in their company and this
position. (computer skills, labs, projects,
work experience you may have) This next
paragraph is just an example, of how you may want
to highlight your interpersonal skills and
qualifications. If you are seeking a hard
working and responsible individual who stays
abreast of the latest technology, then please
consider what I have to offer. I would be happy
to have a preliminary discussion with you or
members of your committee to see if we can
establish a mutual interest. Thank you for your
time and consideration. Sincerely,
Include as much information as you can about WHO
and WHERE
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• Your Resume and Cover Letter should address the
  following
• Project
• 1. Nature of Project
• Industry
• Products
• Skill set (s)
• Related Experience
• Additional pluses

• You
• Why are you interested in it?
• Are you interested in that industry? If so, why?
• Do you use their products?
• 2. Software, equipment, tools, environment?
• Any experience (lab, projects, internships,
  etc)?
• Strong GPA, Leadership abilities/roles, student
  org. involvement, bilingual, additional
  education?

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• Objective
• Seeking a summer internship in the computer field
  utilizing several years of troubleshooting and
  hardware testing experience.
• Education
• The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
  December 2007
• GPA 2.9/4.0 (Deans List Fall 2005, Spring 2006)
• Relevant Experience
• BellSouth Corporation., Charlotte, NC Hardware
  Engineer
  
  July 2004 December 2006
• Tested functionality of prototype router
  designs.
• Troubleshot the hardware at the component
  level.
• Consulted with hardware and software groups to
  implement necessary design changes.
• Worked with a team of diagnostic and test
  engineers to provide strategies for optimal
  functional test coverage in manufacturing.
• Utilized laboratory test and troubleshooting
  equipment including meters, analyzers,
  oscilloscopes, frequency generators, routers,
  and switches.
• Solectron Technologies, Charlotte, NC
  Test Engineering Technician
  
  May 2003 -June 2004
• Performed the setup and maintained functional
  testing equipment.
• Documented testing procedures. Trained 10 test
  operators and technicians to utilize equipment.
  
• Troubleshot failing product to the component
  level. Provided failure analysis and feedback to
  vendors for high failure rate
• components.
• Worked cross-functionally with manufacturing,
  test, management and customers to reduce board
  defect rates, streamline product flow, and
  optimize testing strategies.

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What ELSE Are They Seeking?

• Communication skills
• Honesty/Integrity
• Strong work ethic
• Teamwork skills
• Analytical skills
• Motivation Initiative
• Interpersonal skills (get along with others)
• Flexibility Adaptability
• Relevant work experience-desired

How do you communicate these skills?
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In and Out of the Classroom

• Involvement in student organizations
• Leadership Academy
• Internships or Co-ops
• Jobs (related or not)
• Projects (Team-based)
• Volunteer/Community Service
• MAPS Mentor, SI Leader, RA

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Thank You for your time Questions? Linda
Thurmanlthurman_at_uncc.edu 266 Smith 687-
4415 Office Hours M-Th 3-4 pm or by appt.
www.coe.uncc.edu/maps/pd Ben Cudia Smith
Tuesdays 9am-11amDuke Centennial Tuesdays
2pm-4pmbacudia_at_uncc.edu www.career.uncc.edu
150 Atkins 687-2073