1. Cover Letters
“Making a Business Date”

2. What is a cover letter?
 A marketing took
that compliments
your resume
 Always included with
resumes sent by mail
 Electronic and/or job
fair resumes don’t
need one.

3. What is the purpose of a cover
letter?
 Introduces you and your resume to an employer.
 Explains why you are writing or applying for the job.
 Details why you are a GOOD MATCH for the
organization and the position
 Demonstrates your abilities and helps establish your
credibility.
 Draws your reader’s attention to specific
qualifications
 Provides a sample of your written communication
skills.
 Explains when you will contact your prospective
employer.

4. Preparing to Write a Cover Letter
Researching the job and the company!!!
 Researching the Company
 Find the corporate website

Read the mission statement and/or the vision
statement.
 Look for key words describing the company and its
employees (caring, innovative, progressive,
conservative, etc…)

Know the product!!! Read about the corporation’s
products.
 Look for products currently on the market and for
products in “the pipeline” (what types of drugs,
machines, therapies are they developing).

5. Preparing to Write a Cover Letter
Researching the job and the company!!!
 "Looking for a highly-motivated,
 Researching the Job customer-oriented individual with
 Find the job description (or excellent communication skills and
job ad) multi-tasking ability to write public
 Carefully read the job relations material."
ad/description
 Circle key words (values,  Proof you can offer to meet these
skills, requirements) keywords:
 Make a list of HOW YOU  I have kept a 3.8 GPA while being
can prove you have these treasurer of the Liberal Arts Honors
skills (specific examples Council and tutoring other students
of situations, experiences, (motivated, communication, multi-task).
activities, etc…)  I have written brochure, catalog, and
 Identify the contact
person newsletter copy for various
communication classes (public relations,
communication).

6. Preparing to Write a Cover Letter
Researching the job and the company!!!
 Talk to “Insiders”-either someone your know
(friend/family) or CALL THE COMPANY
 Questions
 “What kind of person is your company looking for?”
 “What qualifications are the most important for this
position?”
 Is their anyone else I can contact to learn more about
your company?
 Is there anything you think someone with my experience
should do to improve my qualifications?

7. Writing the Cover Letter-
Headings
Craig M. Leroix
 Inside Addresses 2987 W. Taylor Dr.
 Your Contact Info Portland, OR 45720
890-372-1262

(skip a line)
cmleroix@anywhere.com
 Date
 (skip a line)
February 2, 2005
 Business Contact
Person and Address Amy Kincaid, Human Resource Director
Western Electric, Inc.
387 Collier Lane
Atlanta, Georgia 30051

8. Writing the Cover Letter-
Addressing
 Address the letter to the contact person
you found in your research
 If can’t find use…
“Dear Hiring Professional”
“Dear Selection Committee
 If you can find use…
 Formal name (Dear Ms. Kinkaid, or Dear Pat
Thomson)

9. Writing the Cover Letter-The
Introductory Paragraph
 Purpose: Catch the reader’s attention
 State the school/university that you attend, you major,
and what position you are applying for.
 Mention where you heard about the job.
 Mention the name of a person you know who has a
positive contact with the company.
 Bring up previous conversations you have had with the
reader (e.g. Met at a job fair etc…)
 THE PICK UP LINE: DESCRIBE HOW YOU AND THE
COMPANY MATCH!!! (e.g. “I agree that innovation
comes from progressive thinkers and strongly believe
that I can bring these qualities to your company.”

10. Writing the Cover Letter-The
Argument (the Body Paragraphs)
 Describe the MOST IMPORTANT qualifications
that show you are a good match. (1 paragraph)
 What skills and abilities do you have that they need?
 How have you demonstrated these skills in REAL
situations

Special projects, awards (other recognized the quality of your
work), accomplishments (set a goal and reached it?)

11. Writing the Cover Letter-The
Closing
 Sums up your qualifications and reveals how you will
proceed to follow up on the resume.
 Include a strong reminder of why you are a good match
 Request an interview in some way.
 Provide contact information
 THANK THEM!!!!!
 Sign and print your name underneath it!
“I am eager to speak with you and discuss my possible
contributions to (_______) and feel that my qualifications will
be an asset to the company. I will be in touch with you …
Please feel free to contact me at__________. Thank you
very much for your time and consideration.”