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Dive deep into the art of crafting compelling cover letters. Discover the importance, types, formats, and tips to enhance your job application. Plus, unleash the power of thank you letters for valuable connections.
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What do I need to know? • Cover Letters: • Your chance to shine! • Follow up is important! • Communication is key!
Cover Letters • Custom tailored personalized summary to a specific target market • Resume is the facts, this is YOUR STORY! • Should always accompany a resume • Before you write: • Know yourself • Research the employer
Cover Letters • Reasons to write: • Meeting an employer’s requirement • Linking your resume to a specific job opening • Emphasizing a personal connection • Bringing focus to a designated time frame • Enhancing information presented in your resume • Remember, most job openings are never advertised!
Cover Letters • Putting it on paper: • Introduction • Who you are and position • Name dropping • Inquiry for future positions • Highlights • Experience, skills, qualifications • Demonstrate your “fit” with the company • Knowledge of industry • Call Back • Provides closure • Ask for interview
Cover Letters • Types • Broadcast • Tell the world • Advertising Response • Reply to a specific vacancy • Networking • Request a meeting with a personal contact
Cover Letters • Format- will it stand out? • Check it once, check it twice… NO spelling or grammatical errors, please! • Use resume paper
Cover Letters • Questions to consider: • Email as attachment or separate typed letter? • Follow the directions to apply; some will say to submit your resume and cover letter (or letter of intent); some online postings have a place for you to paste your cover letter in the box; some will instruct you to email with attachments. • Will it make or break my chances of getting a job? • You cover letter says a lot about you. It should be free of spelling and grammatical errors. You want to present yourself professionally on paper. Be sure to proofread. • How much time should I invest? • 40% of cover letters are read. Take the time to put together a cover letter you feel good about and will use.
Cover Letters • Tips to remember: • Address your interviewer(s) personally if possible (name of the hiring manager, director of human resources, etc.) • Double-check your spelling and grammar • Be honest and sincere when sharing your story.
Thank You Letters • Who should you thank? • Interviewers • References • Networking contacts • When should you send it? • As soon as possible • What format? • Handwritten is more personalized
Thank You Letters • Content: • Thank interviewers for their time, remind them of your key qualifications, and mention any connection you have to him/her. • Thank references for time/effort and include the result/what you are doing now. • Thank contacts for meeting with you, information they provided & remind them of your career goals.