Cover Letter Components Cover Letter Format

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1 Resume and Cover Letter Success Strategies Purpose of the Cover Letter Entice employer to look at your resume Obtain an interview Opportunity for employer to evaluate your writing skills Gives employer a first impression of you as a professional and a prospective employee Chance to expand upon your strongest assets as they relate to the position Cover Letter Components Cover Letter Format Return Address Recipient s name, title, and address Date Salutation Three Paragraphs Purpose and interest Qualifications Action plan Signature Enclosures 1234 Cyclone Ave. Ames, IA Date Mr. Cardinal Gold Human Resources Director Cy Fan Club 1111 Fan Road Ames, IA Dear Mr. Gold: (4 spaces 2 if the letter is a full page) (1 space) (1 space) I would like to express my interest in the Marketing Coordinator position. Paragraphs of a Cover Letter FIRST PARAGRAPH: WHY you are writing The POSITION or type of work you are applying HOW you learned of the opening Paragraphs of a Cover Letter SECOND PARAGRAPH: WHY are you interested in the position WHAT EXPERIENCES directly relate WHAT CAN YOU BRING to the company 1

2 Paragraphs of a Cover Letter THIRD PARAGRAPH: REFER the reader to your resume REQUEST an interview THANK the reader for his or her time Tips for a Great Cover Letter Address letter to specific individual Employer centered, not self-centered Tailor letter to job description Avoid restating your resume Produce an error free copy Keep letter to one page Use high quality stationary and envelopes What is the PURPOSE of your Resume? Assists in obtaining an interview Initiates contact and provides a first impression with a potential employer Providesa summary of education, experience, skills, and goals Facilitates the interview It is YOUR marketing piece! A Good Resume Should Be your advertising brochure Invite the reader with a clear layout Be concise (1 page) Start phrases with action verbs Be consistent Use vocabulary of the industry Contain only most relevant information Not include potentially controversial or negative information such as religion, age, or politics The Components of a Resume Contact Information Contact Information Objective Education University Major Graduation date G.P.A Relevant Courses* Computer Skills* Honors Activities References First and last name address Phone number Current address Permanent address Experience * = optional 2

3 Contact Information Suzy Cyclone Phone: (515) Address: 123 Jack Trice Rd. Ames, IA Objective Statement Encourages recruiters to keep reading Employer centered Be specific Informs reader of your specific interests Does NOT use the words I or me Effective Objective Statements Ineffective Objective Statements To obtain a position leading to the design, development, and installation of business application software. To obtain a position so that I can gain experience in customer service. (Not Employer Centered) To obtain a summer 2010 internship in marketing with special interest in promotions and event management. To attain a management position in a Human Resource Department of a health-care facility. Interests include employee relations, in-service training and employee motivational programs. To get an internship in marketing. (Not Specific) Seeking a position to improve my skills and have a successful career. (Not Employer Centered) Elements of Education Iowa State University - Ames, IA Bachelor of Science, May 2015 Major: Accounting Minor: Finance GPA: 3.20/4.00 Major GPA: 3.54/4.00 Des Moines Area Community College - Ankeny, IA Associate of Art Degree, May 2013 GPA: 3.20/4.00 Experience/Related Experience Bulleted format Use action verbs Quantify when possible Date, location 3

4 Experience/Related Experience Examples of Action Verbs Start your phrases with these verbs Iowa State University, Department of Athletics Ames, IA Marketing Intern Spring 2013-present Assembled and sent customer survey to 1000 clients Compiled survey results and produced survey report Utilized survey results to develop two new sales promotions which were fully implemented Iowa State University, XYZ Student Organization Ames, IA President Fall 2012 Marketed group through presentations and promotions Increased organization enrollment by 20% Organized member conference attendance Administered Advised Analyzed Built Compared Compiled Coordinated Designed Developed Guided Handled Implemented Interviewed Managed Organized Planned Reported Supervised Leadership Activities Honors/Awards Marketing Club Fall 2012-Present Career Fair Ambassador Spring 2012 Intramural Volleyball Spring 2012 Rand Scholarship Fall 2011-Spring 2012 Dean s List Spring 2011, Fall 2012 Competitive Excellence Award Spring 2012 Community Involvement Gilbert Student Mentor Spring 2012 Dance Marathon Spring 2013 Mission Trip to Honduras July 2013 Computer Skills For Technical Majors: Languages: C++, HTML, and COBOL Operating Systems: Windows XP, UNIX, LINUX Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, For Non-Technical Majors: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint 4

5 Additional Suggestions Focus on what you can do for them No personal information No salary expectations 1 page length maximum Style & balance Quantify when possible supervised staff of 5 Edit carefully, proof read, spell check, read aloud and have someone else review Avoid personal pronouns such as I and my Use high-quality matching paper and envelopes Keep a personal copy for your records References Guidelines: Sample: Always on a page Stuart Heising, Professor separate from resume Department of Finance 3-5 professional Iowa State University references 504 Carver Hall Ames, Iowa Ask permission to use as (515) reference and keep them sheising@iastate.edu informed during job search 5