Writing Winning Cover Letters WRITING WINNING COVER LETTERS What is

Writing Winning Cover Letters WRITING WINNING COVER LETTERS What is a Cover Letter? Your cover letter works in partnership with your resume to convince an employer that your skills and background make you a candidate worth interviewing. It’s your marketing tool! A good cover letter will make you a more attractive candidate by demonstrating: • Knowledge about the job, the company, the industry • Effort in your job search, motivation, and enthusiasm for the job • Professionalism and detail orientation • Writing skills • Organized thinking • Understanding about yourself • Energy and Motivation Prepare • Review the job description in detail. • List the skills and attributes the employer is seeking. • Identify how your qualifications match the skills and attributes. • Choose three to five matching skills and attributes to use in your letter. • Research the employer to identify important facts including products and services Anatomy of a Cover Letter A cover letter generally consists of three or four brief paragraphs; written in an active voice, and professional style. Salutation • Address your letter to a specific person, (be sure of the correct spelling and appropriate title (Mr. Ms. Dr., etc.) whenever possible • Acceptable alternatives include “Dear Internship Coordinator” or “Dear Hiring Manager”, however, do not write “to whom it may concern”. First Paragraph Introduce the purpose of your writing. • • Explain clearly and succinctly why you are writing. State the full name of the position. Describe how you learned about it, name of person, printed or on-line media etc. Second/Third Paragraph • Write these paragraphs based on your preparation. • Explain how your qualifications match the job description by highlighting relevant experience and briefly describing accomplishments that demonstrate your capabilities. Last Paragraph The closing paragraph can be short and simple. • • • Stress your enthusiasm for the position and your interest in meeting for an interview. State how and when you can best be contacted. Thank the individual and end with an appropriate closing. Email VS. Standard (snail) Mail • Some employers will express a preference between standard email and email, while others will accept either. There is no need for both. When using email, use the cover letter as the body of an email and attach the resume as a Word or PDF document. Another option is to simply cut and paste the resume to the body of the email. This may be preferable to employers who want to avoid virus attachments. Just make sure the formatting on the resume stays the same. Write a compelling subject line. Cover Letter Format Your Street Physical Address and Email Address Date Name of Contact Person Contact Person Title Name of Company, Corporation or Agency Address City, State, Zip Dear : AROUSE INTEREST: Write in an active conversational voice. Introduce yourself, state why you are writing, identify the full time position, internship or co-op for which you would like to be considered, and indicate how you heard of the position. Be specific in defining your purpose. CREATE DESIRE: This should answer the question, “Why should I hire you?” Summarize your qualifications for the position. Give examples of your skills and experiences that relate to the position. State your interest in the position, the company, and the field. Refer the reader to your enclosed resume for additional information. ASK FOR ACTION: End letter by stating that you would welcome the opportunity for an inperson or phone interview. If appropriate, indicate that you will contact them in a week to set up an appointment to discuss your qualifications further. (Only say this if you will really contact them.) COVER LETTER SAMPLES: Several samples are provided. 1. EMAIL SAMPLE 2. REFERRAL SAMPLE 3. COLD CALL SAMPLE 4. SNAIL MAIL SAMPLE EMAIL Sample October 15, 2007 Dear Mr. Morgan, I am interested in pursuing a career opportunity as an analyst with Boston Properties. I learned of the exciting career opportunities on the Isenberg School of Management’s career website. I would welcome the opportunity to interview with your firm and have attached a copy of my resume for your review. As an intern for MassInnovation, I was chosen to serve as a sub-committee chairperson and have worked with a team of five local business owners to analyze downtown real estate investments. I am confident that the skills I have acquired from my activities and academics have prepared me for a challenging and productive summer internship with your company. Therefore I am excited about this opportunity and am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. I may be contacted at edill@student.umass.edu or at (909)111-2222. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Eric Dillinger edill@student.umass.edu REFERRAL Sample 111 River Drive Amherst, MA 01003 (413)555-6353 miastude@student.umass.edu October 15, 2007 Ms. Cathy Recruiter McKinsey & Company 10 Park Avenue South City, State Zip Code Dear Ms. Recruiter, Mr. Frank Hurley suggested that I forward my resume to you for consideration. I am a senior at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Isenberg School of Management majoring in Finance with a minor in Economics with a 3.6GPA. I am currently working as summer intern with Alternative Investments Group. As Mr. Hurley may have mentioned, I am in the top 5% of my class at Isenberg, and I recently was elected president of Beta Gamma Sigma, National Business honor Society. In both my academic and extracurricular activities, I have consistently demonstrated my capacity to make a positive impact, regardless of the situation. My analytical and personal skills are ideally suited to management consulting, and I am confident that would be an asset to McKinsey & Company. I have extensive knowledge of business applications including Excel, Word and Access and have interpreted complex data for several honor classes as well as an independent study on global investment strategies. I believe my strengths in data analysis, analytical problem solving, and communication have prepared me for a successful career in investment banking. I want to thank you in advance for your time and preference list consideration. You may contact me at miastude@student.umass.edu or (413)555-6353. Sincerely, Mia Student COLD CALL Sample 5698 N. Dunn Street Amherst, MA 01003 (413)555-9875 October 15, 2007 Mr. Isaac B. Morgan Sales Representative Eli Lilly 1234 Address Drive New York, NY 10010 Dear Mr. Morgan, After researching Eli Lilly’s website and reviewing the multiple opportunities available through the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Isenberg School of Management, I am particularly interested in pursuing the Pharmaceutical Sales position with your company. I believe my strengths in linguistics, interpersonal communication and computers skills match well with the available position. I will graduate from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Isenberg School of Management in May 2008 with a degree in marketing with a cumulative 3.8 GPA. In addition to being a member of four honor societies and the Captain of the University of Massachusetts Lacrosse Team, I gained valuable overseas experience as a telemarketer while studying in London last summer. My rigorous educational experience and personal determination to succeed will make an immediate impact to your bottom line. In the next four weeks I will complete my internship with General Electric where I have gained hands-on experience in commercial sales while working closely with clients and members of the community. Through this experience, I have strengthened my interpersonal and negotiating skills by implementing and reviewing a marketing plan. I believe this experience has prepared me well for future employment. Thank you for your time. I would enjoy an opportunity to interview with your organization and have attached a copy of my resume for consideration. If I do not hear from you within a week, I will call you to discuss my qualifications. Sincerely, Ian P. Welch SNAIL MAIL Sample Joseph Wilco 1234 N. Jordan Avenue Amherst, MA 01003 jwilco@student.umass.edu October 15, 2007 Mr. Fred Savage General Electric Company 100 Land’s End Avenue Boston, MA 01010 Dear Mr. Savage, I am interested in pursuing the Financial Leadership Program internship with General Electric Company. After learning more about General Electric’s internship program at the Isenberg School of Management, I believe this internship opportunity will offer an experience that will strengthen my career aspirations. A copy of my resume is attached for your review. I am currently majoring in Finance with a minor in Philosophy, and have maintained a cumulative 3.4 GPA. I am a recipient of the Ford Motor Company scholarship awarded for outstanding academic achievement during my first 2 years at Isenberg School of Management. I possess strong analytical skills and enjoy the challenges associated with corporate financial analysis and decision making. Throughout my college career, I have strengthened my interpersonal and communication skills as demonstrated by my selection as the Recruitment Chair and Pledge Educator for my fraternity. These leadership roles and responsibilities include speaking to large groups, interacting with national executives, and working within a team environment. I believe these experiences make me an ideal candidate for your internship program. In my extracurricular and academic activities I have used several business applications including Word, Excel, and Power Point to analyze data for reports and conduct presentations to faculty, students and staff. I believe my experience in data analysis, analytical problem solving, and interpersonal communications can be a successful asset in your company. I want to thank you in advance for your time and preference list consideration. You may contact me at ipstudnet@student.umass.edu or (413)555-1234. Sincerely, Ian P. Student