Dynamic Cover Dynamic Cover Letters Letters Writing a Successful Cover Writing a Successful Cover Letter Letter By By Nancy LoBello Nancy LoBello
Dec 22, 2015
Dynamic Cover Dynamic Cover LettersLetters
Writing a Successful Cover LetterWriting a Successful Cover Letter
ByBy
Nancy LoBelloNancy LoBello
What is a Cover LetterWhat is a Cover Letter
Also Referred to as:Also Referred to as:
Letter of IntroductionLetter of Introduction
Letter of ApplicationLetter of Application
Transmittal LetterTransmittal Letter
Broadcast LetterBroadcast Letter
Why You Need a Cover Why You Need a Cover LetterLetter
Your resume is useless without itYour resume is useless without it
Informs employer as to what kind of Informs employer as to what kind of work you dowork you do
Type of position you are looking forType of position you are looking for
Your qualifications for the positionYour qualifications for the position
Your Cover Letter Will…Your Cover Letter Will… Highlight aspects of your Highlight aspects of your
experience that are most experience that are most useful to the employeruseful to the employer
Call attention to your skills, Call attention to your skills, talents, and experience talents, and experience
Explain things your resume Explain things your resume can’tcan’t
Open a “little window” into Open a “little window” into your dynamic personalityyour dynamic personality
Three Kinds of Cover LettersThree Kinds of Cover Lettersfor Three Types of Job Searchesfor Three Types of Job Searches
The Invited Cover LetterThe Invited Cover Letter-A job has been advertised-A job has been advertised
The Uninvited Cover LetterThe Uninvited Cover Letter-No job has been advertised, but you would -No job has been advertised, but you would
like to work at this companylike to work at this company
Uninvited Cover Letter (with an edge)Uninvited Cover Letter (with an edge)-No job has been advertised, but a mutual -No job has been advertised, but a mutual
friend has recommended you make contactfriend has recommended you make contact
The Invited Cover letterThe Invited Cover letter
Only 20 percent of job Only 20 percent of job openings are publicly openings are publicly advertised (open)advertised (open)-Newspaper, trade -Newspaper, trade
magazines, Web site magazines, Web site postingspostings
-Employment agencies-Employment agencies
Enables you to Enables you to speakspeak to the requirements of to the requirements of the adthe ad
The Uninvited Cover LetterThe Uninvited Cover Letter(cold-contact letter)(cold-contact letter)
80 percent of the job market is “closed”80 percent of the job market is “closed”
Can’t find out about these positions unless Can’t find out about these positions unless you digyou dig
Proactive approach to job-huntingProactive approach to job-hunting
Great tool for uncovering hidden jobsGreat tool for uncovering hidden jobs
The Uninvited Cover LetterThe Uninvited Cover Letter(cold-contact letter)(cold-contact letter)
Your letter can leave a lasting impression if a job Your letter can leave a lasting impression if a job opens upopens up
Opportunity to sell your talentsOpportunity to sell your talents
You may obtain an interview or a referral to You may obtain an interview or a referral to others in the field who may have a use for youothers in the field who may have a use for you
Should be sent to a named individualShould be sent to a named individual-(research “whom it may concern” and get a name)-(research “whom it may concern” and get a name)
Uninvited Cover LetterUninvited Cover LetterWith an EdgeWith an Edge
AKA- referral letterAKA- referral letter
Prominently displays the name of a person Prominently displays the name of a person your your addresseeaddressee knows (name-dropping) knows (name-dropping)
Product of networkingProduct of networking-Use everyone you know as a resource to find a -Use everyone you know as a resource to find a
jobjob
Experts say networking is the most Experts say networking is the most effective method of job-huntingeffective method of job-hunting
First ParagraphFirst Paragraph
Spark the employers interestSpark the employers interest
Unique Selling Proposition (USP)Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
-The one thing that makes you different -The one thing that makes you different from all the other job- seekersfrom all the other job- seekers
-Identify two or three benefits you can -Identify two or three benefits you can offer the employeroffer the employer
First Paragraph OpenersFirst Paragraph Openers
Cold Contact (be sure to research the Cold Contact (be sure to research the company for an individuals name)company for an individuals name)
Example:Example:““I am writing to introduce myself and to I am writing to introduce myself and to
inquire about opportunities to work in inquire about opportunities to work in your department.”your department.”
First Paragraph OpenersFirst Paragraph Openers
Referral LetterReferral Letter
Example:Example:““Annie Jones (the mutual friend) has Annie Jones (the mutual friend) has
suggested I contact you. I am a (state suggested I contact you. I am a (state your position) with entry level your position) with entry level experience in the (name the field). experience in the (name the field). Annie said you are always looking for Annie said you are always looking for experienced (job title).”experienced (job title).”
First Paragraph OpenersFirst Paragraph Openers
Invited Cover Letter (job has been Invited Cover Letter (job has been advertised)advertised)
Example:Example:““I am writing to respond to the (job title) I am writing to respond to the (job title)
position advertised in the (name of position advertised in the (name of newspaper) this week.”newspaper) this week.”
Second ParagraphSecond Paragraph
Provide more detail about your Provide more detail about your professional/academic accomplishmentsprofessional/academic accomplishments
Stress accomplishments and Stress accomplishments and achievementsachievements-Show you’re a mover and a shaker-Show you’re a mover and a shaker
-How you can contribute to the organization-How you can contribute to the organization
-Describe how you show initiative-Describe how you show initiative
-Show you can be a key player-Show you can be a key player
Second Paragraph OpenersSecond Paragraph Openers Cold ContactCold Contact Example:Example:
““My background includes…” (add two to three sentences My background includes…” (add two to three sentences about your experience, achievements, about your experience, achievements, accomplishments).accomplishments).
Invited cover letter (job advertised)Invited cover letter (job advertised) Example:Example:
““I am a (?) with entry level skills in the (?) industry. My I am a (?) with entry level skills in the (?) industry. My strengths include: (bullet list or paragraph noting your strengths include: (bullet list or paragraph noting your skills as requested in the ad).”skills as requested in the ad).”
Third ParagraphThird Paragraph
Research the companyResearch the company
Show that you know something about the Show that you know something about the companycompany
Relate yourself to the companyRelate yourself to the company-Give details why you should be considered for -Give details why you should be considered for
the positionthe position-Expand on your qualifications while showing -Expand on your qualifications while showing
knowledge of the companyknowledge of the company
Third Paragraph SampleThird Paragraph Sample
Example:Example:
““Your company has an excellent Your company has an excellent reputation for (name something from reputation for (name something from your research), and I know the your research), and I know the combination of my experience, combination of my experience, education, and motivation to excel will education, and motivation to excel will make me an asset to your (name the make me an asset to your (name the department of the job you are seeking).”department of the job you are seeking).”
Fourth ParagraphFourth Paragraph ( (Final paragraph)Final paragraph)
Proactive - and request actionProactive - and request action-Ask for an interview or meeting-Ask for an interview or meeting
-Express your confidence that you are a -Express your confidence that you are a perfect fit for the jobperfect fit for the job
-Inform the employer that you plan to -Inform the employer that you plan to follow-up within a specified timefollow-up within a specified time
Fourth paragraph SampleFourth paragraph Sample
Example:Example:
““I am sure it would be worthwhile for us to I am sure it would be worthwhile for us to meet. I will contact you within a week to meet. I will contact you within a week to arrange a meeting. Should you have any arrange a meeting. Should you have any questions before that time, you may questions before that time, you may reach me via phone (312-555-5555) or reach me via phone (312-555-5555) or via email (jdoe@cmail .com).”via email (jdoe@cmail .com).”
In “Closing” your letterIn “Closing” your letter
Example:Example:““Thank you for your time and Thank you for your time and
consideration.consideration.
Sincerely,Sincerely,
(sign your name)(sign your name)
(type your name)(type your name)
Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts Follow-up is key on interviews you ask forFollow-up is key on interviews you ask for Be persistent but not annoyingBe persistent but not annoying Employers admire drive and ambitionEmployers admire drive and ambition Your persistence means you truly want to work for that companyYour persistence means you truly want to work for that company Plan on making some phone calls, sending follow-up letters or Plan on making some phone calls, sending follow-up letters or
sending emailssending emails