Cover Letter Guide - Waubonsee

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Career Development CenterCover Letter GuideCareer Development CenterFor an appointment, call or email us at:(630) 466-2368careerdevelopment@waubonsee.eduAdditional resources available 24/7 at:www.waubonsee.edu/careerdevelopmentPlease visit our online job board, Waubonsee Career Network to search for a job, or create yourresume using “Resume Builder” at www.waubonseecareernetwork.com

Cover Letter BasicsA customized cover letter should accompany every resume submission. A well-written cover letter willhelp you effectively develop a connection with the employer and position. Use your cover letter to paint apicture of how you will work at and what you will contribute to the company or organization you are hoping tojoin.GETTING STARTED: Before you begin writing, read the job description thoroughly and determine how you meet thequalificationsResearch the organization and include references to their mission, needs, or vision throughout yourdocument. Understand what they do and how your education and experiences align with the mission,needs, and goals.Identify key requirements of the organization and connect them to your experience. Compare yourexperiences to the job description:Job Description Duty/ResponsibilityYour Skills & Qualifications1.1.2.2.3.3.COVER LETTER GENERAL STRUCTURE AND FORMAT:Paragraph 1: Introduction Open your cover letter with a strong, compelling sentence that draws your reader in immediately Brand yourself: who are you, as it relates to this position? What position are you applying for and why do you think you would be a good fit? Approximately 2 – 3 sentences that address your qualifications and/or interestParagraphs 2-3: Qualifications Make connections for the employer: show how your experiences directly relate to the organizationand position Tell a story. Do not repeat what is in your resume. Instead, contextualize it as it relates to this newjob or organization. Approximately 3 – 5 sentences OR 3 – 5 relevant bullet points showing what you offer and makingthat connection between you and the companyParagraph 4: Closing ( 2-3 sentences) Re-iterate your interest and how to contact you (include your phone/email) Thank themCareer Development Center www.waubonsee.edu/careerdevelopment 630-466-2368 careerdevelopment@waubonsee.edu2

Cover Letter WorksheetUse this worksheet to gather the necessary information to create a cover letter, then use the Sample Templateto transform it into letter format.To whom are you sending the letter?TIP: Use LinkedIn, web searches, and your professional network to learn the name of the person whowill be receiving the letter. If this is impossible, try “Dear Hiring Manager” or add the title of the personwho is accepting the cover letter (if you know who that is).Name:Title:Company, Address:Using keywords in the job description and your research about the job, what is the company lookingfor in a candidate? (What skills and experiences are they buying? What problem are they trying tosolve? What results, approach, and abilities do they need?)What are the 3-5 highest priorities for the company?1.2.3.4.5.First (Opening) Paragraph1. Write a strong, unique opening line connecting you with the job and/or company.For example, “Given my consistent sales track record of exceeding goals each month over the pastfiscal year, I am ready to take on new challenges and continue to exceed goals as a part of the SalesCompany team.”Career Development Center www.waubonsee.edu/careerdevelopment 630-466-2368 careerdevelopment@waubonsee.edu3

2. What is the exact job title?3. How did you discover the job was available?For example, LinkedIn, Waubonsee Career Network, internal referral, career fair, recruiter, etc.4. Why are you interested in this particular job and company?Second & Third Paragraphs1. What experience, education, results, skills, approach, and/or abilities do you have that matchesthe employer’s needs?2. Create a few short statements about your experience that include key words from job description.Use action verbs. Show the impact and scope of your actions.Fourth (Closing) Paragraph1. What do you want to happen after you send the resume? (An interview, a phone call, an email,etc.)Career Development Center www.waubonsee.edu/careerdevelopment 630-466-2368 careerdevelopment@waubonsee.edu4

2. What is the person expecting you to send?Forexample, resume, letter of interest, salary requirements, references, portfolio3. What is your phone and email?Cover Letter Myths & TipsMyth: A cover letter is not as important as a Resume.TIP: A cover letter is just as important as a resume. Because of the hundreds (sometimes thousands)of applications received for one position, the cover letter has evolved into a screening document. Ifyou don’t tailor it to each specific job or company, you run the risk of being taken out of the candidatepool early in the process. Some hiring managers prefer to read the cover letter as an example of aperson’s ability to communicate in writing. Use the cover letter to tell your story and make aconnection to the position and organization.Myth: A cover letter is intended to give a reader an overview of your past.TIP: Rather than reviewing all your experience, focus on the most relevant experience. Your coverletter should clearly convey what you offer to the organization and how you can meet the needs listedin the job description. If you are writing to apply for an internship and have little (or no) directexperience, focus on your transferable skills and connect your academic background to the position.Be sure to convey a sincere interest in the organization and the skills or experiences you do have.Myth: Your cover letter is simply a repeat of your resume.TIP: Cover letters are your opportunity to “personalize” your interest, experiences and skills. Avoidrepeating accomplishments or experiences verbatim and instead build on what you introduced in theresume to showcase how it is directly transferable to the new job. Make it about the organization andselect items that are relevant or unique to them.Myth: A cover letter should begin with the salutation, “To Whom It May Concern”.TIP: Use LinkedIn, web searches, and your professional network to learn the name of the person whowill be receiving the letter. If this is impossible, try “Dear Hiring Manager” or add the title of the personwho is accepting the Resume (if you know who that is).Myth: Your cover letter should be short—the shorter the better, even.TIP: An effective cover letter is most often 3-5 paragraphs in length and is tailored to the company byrelating to its mission as well as to the specific job description at hand. It is important to weave yourstory into the company’s to demonstrate not only your relevancy, but also your cultural understandingof the company and the workplace.Myth: Your cover letter is where you identify your feelings, passions, and share your personalstory.Career Development Center www.waubonsee.edu/careerdevelopment 630-466-2368 careerdevelopment@waubonsee.edu5

TIP: Your resume is about you; your cover letter is about the employer. This means that your coverletter should NOT be full of “I” statements about why the position is good for you. Instead, your coverletter should focus on how your skills and abilities will be an asset to the job and organization.Sample TemplateYour NameAddress City, State Zip Phone EmailYour header (name and contact info) should beformatted exactly the same as on your resume.DateContact Name, TitleOrganization NameCompany AddressCity, State, ZipDear Dr./Ms./Mr. Last Name: (If you do not have the contact name, use “Dear Hiring Manager‟)In the 1st (introductory) paragraph, introduce yourself in a fresh way that is relevant to the employer/position.(Have you worked on a branding statement? If so, draw from that. If not, talk with the Career DevelopmentCenter.) What position are you applying for and why are you a good fit? Include position title, how you foundthe position and mention a referral if you have one.In the 2nd and 3rd (body) paragraphs, develop a relationship between you and the employer by displaying yourknowledge of the organization or industry. Briefly describe your accomplishments and qualifications, relatingthem to the needs from the ad and/or job description. Make sure you are answering the question: “Why shouldI hire you?” Use the comparisons you drafted in the Cover Letter Guide to match the needs in the descriptionwith your accomplishments and skills. Concisely demonstrate relevant qualifications and match theorganization’s hiring needs in 3 – 5 sentences OR 3 - 5 bullet points. If using bullet points, avoid pasting themfrom your resume without changes.In the 4th (closing) paragraph, reiterate your interest in the position, company, or organization. Include yourphone and email address so that they can reach you easily. Mention your interest in the next step next steps(for example, “I would appreciate an interview to discuss this opportunity further”). End with a professional butmemorable closing statement that includes a thank you.Sincerely,Your First and Last NameCareer Development Center www.waubonsee.edu/careerdevelopment 630-466-2368 careerdevelopment@waubonsee.edu6

Cover Letter Basics A customized cover letter should accompany every resume submission. A well-written cover letter will help you effectively develop a connection with the employer and position. Use your cover letter to paint a picture of how you will work at and what you will contribu

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Illinois Community College District 516 Circulation: The Waubonsee Community College Catalog is published annually by the Marketing and Communications Department.For additional copies of this or other publications, call us at (630) 466-2411. We welcome comments and suggestions.

letter. If the administrator does not feel you are a good fit after reading your cover letter, your résumé likely will not get a first look. Without a stellar cover letter (letter of introduction), you might never receive a call or email. Just remember: The purpose of a cover letter is to get your résumé read.

expressing interest in an interview. When to send a cover letter 1 The purpose of your cover letter 2 3 The format of a cover letter 2 3 www.jobs.ac.uk How to Write a Cover Letter for Research Jobs Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google You should always send a cover l

Helpful Hints to Creating Your Resume & Cover Letter . These tips are useful when writing ANY type of resume and/or cover letter . Resumes and Cover Letters MUST be typed Every resume and cover letter you create, whether for 4-H, for a job, or even for volunteering, should always be typed. No resume or cover letter should ever be hand written.

Cover Letter Writing Guide Each time you send your resume to a company or organization for an internship or job opportunity, you must send it with a cover letter. The cover letter introduces you, tells why you are writing, and encourages the employer to read your resume. A well-written cover letter is just as important as a well-developed resume.

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