Mastering Cover Letters: Reader-Centric Approach

1. Job Search COVER LETTERS

2. COVER LETTERS • YOU = the Product • Sell yourself • Like a product or a service

3. Reader Analysis

4. COVER LETTERS • Reader Analysis • Reader = unknown • Readers = several • Readers = different backgrounds • Readers = • personnel office staff • department managers

5. COVER LETTERS • Reader Analysis • What criteria will they use to evaluate your credentials? • How much/little do they want in the letter? • What main points will they be hunting for in your resume?

6. COVER LETTERS • Readers: (1) Read Job Letters in Stacks • your letter = 1 in a pile of letters (2) Tired • at the end of a busy day • at home • impatient (with flowery wording)

7. COVER LETTERS • Readers: (3) Impatient • they want fast & easy data retrieval •  page design • they do not want flowery wording • they do not want hard-to-read FONT size/type

8. COVER LETTERS • Readers: (4) Picky Grammarians • expect quality writing • expect proofreading • no typographical errors • no silly mistakes • expect solid use of language • quality of writing = quality of work

9. COVER LETTERS • Readers: (5) Want Attention-Grabbers • Don’t • use slickness OR gimmicks • Do • be tasteful, reserved, professional • attach a business card • stationary = • white, off-white • fonts = • traditional size & type • white space = • properly used

10. ABC Format

11. COVER LETTERS • Organization • = ABC format A B C

12. COVER LETTERS • ABC: Abstract • Apply for a specific job • state the position title • Refer to your source regarding the job opening • friend • colleague • newspaper advertisement • their Web site • Briefly state how you can meet the employer’s main needs • your qualifications

13. COVER LETTERS • ABC: Body • Specify your understanding of the employer’s main needs • Highlight qualifications from your resume that address these needs • only “highlight” • do not repeat everything that’s on the resume • Avoid mentioning your weak points or deficiencies • Keep the Body paragraphs short • 6or fewer lines

14. COVER LETTERS • ABC: Body • Use bulleted or numbered lists to draw attention to 3 or 4 main points • Maintain the “you” point-of-view • KISS • be clear & concise • use clear prose • Remain professional • Develop a unity & coherence (flow) to your letter

15. COVER LETTERS • ABC: Conclusion • Tie the letter together with a main theme or selling point • as in a “sales letter” • Refer to your attached résumé • Explain how & when the readers can contact you to schedule an interview

16. COVER LETTERS PLEASE NOTE: • Despite the ABC format, • Cover Letters are still letters • NOT memos • So design them as letters

17. COVER LETTERS PLEASE NOTE: • So design them as “business letters” • Block, Semi-Block, Modified-Block style • < http://www.career-tools-hq.com/cover-letter-format.html >

18. COVER LETTERS PLEASE NOTE: • So design them as “business letters” • Contact information • Your name, address, & contact info • Recipient’s name, address, & contact info

19. Don’t forget to sign it! COVER LETTERS PLEASE NOTE: • So design them as “business letters” • Salutation: • Proper Title + Full Name + Job Title: • To Whom It May Concern: • colon, not comma • No headings • Closing Remark: • Sincerely, Respectfully,

20. Writing Process

21. COVER LETTERS • SELL YOURSELF • determine & tout your qualifications • Complete a Reader Analysis • know your readers • Follow the ABC Format • KISS • Keep it Professional • Proofread!