Careers Education & Placement Centre
Unsolicited Cover Letter
Date : 23 February 2000 (Wednesday) Time : 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Venue : T4, Meng Wah Complex
Careers Education & Placement Centre
K H Leung
Deputy Director
E-mail Website
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Who will need to send in unsolicited applications?
ALL job seekers
in particular: PR, advertising,
broadcasting, architectural, dentistry, law
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Where graduates get information on their first jobs?
1996
HKU Careers Centre Newspaper 34.7% 40.1%
1997
35.9% 37.1%
1998
37.0% 33.1%
Friends / relatives Direct Application to company Employment Agency Faculty Staff Others
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9.3% 6.9% 4.4% 1.9% 2.7%
9.0% 6.7% 3.4% 2.8% 5.0%
11.3% 7.8% 2.3% 2.7% 5.7%
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Your Challenge
To show where you are different or better than your competitors! Add value - your experiences inside and outside the University will set you apart from your peers.
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Resume and Covering Letter
clear, informative yet concise be easy to read
stress your achievements relate to the employer‟s needs
give examples to demonstrate your skills
size, colour, grammar, style……. Make your own MARKETING
DOCUMENT (selling yourself!!)
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Identifying your Unique Selling Point
What are your achievements ? academic performance, work experience,
student society activities, community service, travelling experience, exchange programme, sports, hobbies, personal life experience RELATE to EMPLOYERS‟ NEEDS
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Sell them to the right person
address a particular person by name and
job title in a TARGETED department of an organisation How?? Try switchboard staff, alumni, friends, professors, career service etc Type „Private and Confidential‟
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Resume and Covering Letter
Why you need a resume and a covering letter
-
resume : letter :
product features product benefits
Choice of resume format
-
fresh grad: combination same field : chronological different field : skills-based NO RULEs to remember.
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CV
What is your target area of work - career
objective what experiences should be emphasised what should your CV look like
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Cover Letter
In about 4 paragraphs, explain why you are writing what sort of job /why why this company/industry what skills/experience you have (with examples)
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The opening paragraph
The attention-grabber
„ My professors referred to my final year project in financial modeling as “promising”, “highly practicable”, “innovative” or “brilliant”. One of them suggested that an organisation of your prominence in the industry could certainly make use of an honours graduate like myself, following my graduation this June.”
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More example - first para
I read with great interest the article on the
proposed Centre for Genome Research in the SCMP last December and write to enquire whether or not there is any possibility of involving students in your work, even at this early stage.
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Real example - law graduate
As a recent graduate of the L L B
programme at the University of Hong Kong, I am about to commence my PCLL studies this Autumn. Since I plan to pursue a career as a solicitor in Hong Kong, I am investigating the career opportunities that will be open to me upon completion of my studies at the university.
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The Second Paragraph
It tells the reader why you are writing to her/him
“This letter is intended to introduce myself
and to explore your potential need for a bilingual petroleum engineer who is willing to relocate. If you happen to be looking for someone with my qualification ...”
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The Third Paragraph
State what you have to offer
state related achievements that support the
kind of job you are seeking “ I gained an increase of 1000 members by ....” “ I initiated the innovative Member-Plus Programme..”
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The Fourth Paragraph
It tells the reader what action you suggest “It would be my pleasure to offer you
additional details regarding my qualifications during an interview. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.”
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How to present them with impact
Use action verbs
accelerated administered appraised assembled balanced calculated checked
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achieved advised arbitrated assisted budgeted centralized classified
adapted analysed arranged audited built charted coached
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collated composed confronted controlled counselled delegated designed developed dispensed drafted
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collected conceived consolidated co-ordinated created delivered detailed devised displayed drove
compiled conducted constructed corresponded cut demonstrated determined directed distributed edited
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eliminated estimated exhibited facilitated found guided identified increased instituted
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entertained evaluated expanded forecast founded handled implemented initiated instructed
established executed expressed formulated generated headed improved inspected interpreted
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interviewed investigated led logged marketed mediated
introduced joined listened maintained maximized met
invented launched located managed measured minimized
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How to present the impact
a more detailed description of accomplishments Cite measurable results
* exceeded quotas/expectations * membership increased/ fund raised * development of new/ innovative strategies/products * positive results deriving from your actions/proposals
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Dull Raised level of sales above previous year With Impact Reversed negative sales trend; sales up to 41% over previous year
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Dull Started new membership programmes that increase subscription With Impact Created and implemented two new member relations programs (xxx, yyy) resulting in a 33% increase in membership
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Dull Hired and trained six voluntary student researchers during 1996-1998. Only one resigned.
With Impact Recruited, trained, and motivated six new voluntary student reseachers during 19961998; five continued to excel
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Verbatim quotations from employers
“ One student attended Outward Bound training.
To me, it is a great experience. But he did not mention a word in his letter. Isn‟t it a pity ? ”
“ Most of the CVs are too brief. Why don‟t they
use it to tell employers what they have accomplished ?”
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Verbatim quotations from employers
“ Many of your students repeat the same thing
(from CV) in the covering letter. Sometimes even in the same words. It is so boring to read.”
“ I bet students use the same letter for applying to
all employers. It is too general. It is about what they have done in the past and not what they can do for me in future! ”
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Questions & Answers
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