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today's lesson discusses creating cover letters for your portfolio
it's important that we back up and think about the purpose of a cover letter
before we get started remember that
as you're applying for a job the goal is not
just to get the job. You need to get in
first and that's counter to the goal of the person who opens the envelopes.
very often the person is opening the envelope
has one goal in mind and that's to throw them away
it's a process called paper screening and I know there's all these
words we use but
the idea is actually pretty simple. If your
packet is not complete or for whatever reason
is not great they're going to be tossed.
For a single job they might have a thousand applicants
and so they need to toss as many as they can up front
so that they don't have too many to wade through
let's take a look at a cover letter that meets certain restrictions
and this document is available to you
on the NetAcad site so whenever you need it
you're welcome to get this. It's called "cover letter with explanations" in the
portfolio
section. First off there are two ways of doing this. I'm going to show you both but I'm
sure you everything
on the left margin
first. It's called it Block format
and first we start with your return address
unless you're using letterhead-and you generally will not use a formal
letterhead for this because you're not a company--
but if you're not using letterhead you do not put your name here. Your name goes at the end
so your full return address 1230 North First Street Tumbukthree California
nine eight seven six five here
in this example what's important also about this
is that this is in a standard format
for addresses. We've discussed that in class several times; you need to do it
the right way. If you can't figure out how to write an address
the first thing that the company will do
is throw it in the trash and then you don't even get the rest you good stuff
noticed
Immediately below the address without
any additional spacing is your date. this is the date you write and send your
letter.
below that are three blank lines
below that we have who we're sending it to. You must have a name. It's not
appropriate to say "hiring director" or
"boss." You have to have someone's name. If you don't know what the name is, it's
easy to go online in this day in age there really is no excuse for not being able
to find a person's name
Just because someone's name is listed this is not the person is actually going to open
your letter, oddly enough.
In very very few cases will the person answer their own mail.
instead you're getting into their office so that their staff can open it
as part of the hiring process. You should give their name and title
mister Dennis Turner, Director here. ABC 123 Company. You have the title
and then you have what company they're with and then you have their address
again it in standard form. After their address you have one blank line
and then you say dear mister turner it's mister or miss
or missus if you know that if it's a female
and you don't know if she's married go ahead news mes om
really the rule is unless you absolutely no she
is married just use mirrors it's a lot less work for you
but you say dear mister arm is
and then the last name again you will not say dear to
art to whom it may concern heard you're hiring director
not dear Dennis not dear Dennis Turner
dear mister turner
and then you have a single blank line after that please note that word will
automatically add a whole bunch more lined you need to take them
out it's called adding space after paragraphs
we discuss that in class as well now yes three paragraphs here
it could if you think of it as a three paragraph essay without the introduction
without conclusion that's the easy way of saying it
you first introductory paragraph how did you find out about the job
and why is this a job that would be good for you
and why are you good for them but you wanna short so I'm applying to the
office position
tell how you found out about in this case you found out about it in the two
but three amazonian
when did you find out about it the reason that's important is that they pay
attention to where
and when the on items are
advertised and seen so if they didn't
if they sought advertise if you sign advertising to military amazonian
NEC okay that's a good place if nobody
ever says oh yeah I found out this intimate 3 amazonian
well they're not going to use that anymore this why bother
okay so you tell where you found it and what date
and also the exact position office position in this case
told then a quick why you are right for this job
in this case the person interned in your cases many times it has to do with
classwork you done or perhaps community service or other volunteer work you've
done
the last line is pretty good I'm confident that my experience my skills
and abilities qualify me for the position
you want to tell them out of out up front
that you are qualified don't say I think I might be okay for this because
you don't want to be okay you want to be the right person
and you don't wanna see homie be in it now you wanna be confident
show off your content
your second paragraph discusses where you are in school now
and certain classes you've taken which have helped you
or potentially help you with what you are
doing I feel perfect attendance this is a good thing to put here because
attendance is a big deal
on if you have certain things you've done
that are really good my classes are really good example
are things which would make you more valuable to an employer
but be specific with certain skills give examples
in this case filing and word processing office organization receptions duties
which is person
learned in school that's the kinda stop
Skills USA pp would countenance provided you
are specific if you have work ready certificate
that needs to go here
the final paragraph
tells them that you want to talk to them about it
please telephone me not
he'd been nice if you might have time they don't have any time
there they're desperately need working to try and get another employee be as
they don't have any time cuz they need somebody
they certainly don't have time for somebody wishy-washy
I might be available now
please tell a funny here's how you can reach me
put the number you're opt for those who like to say 15 30 and then your phone
number
leave out the one we've talked about that in class
so when are you available in this case and the afternoon after three
probably for you guys you don't want any afternoon after three you when I'm
any afternoon after 3:15 confusion school till 3:10
I'm since it's a probably be your cell phone which is the easiest way
say please if I'm not available please leave a message
and then you do something very interesting this is the last one
the last sentence there if I do not hear from you by a particular day
I will call to check the status my application you give them about two
weeks
in this case they gave one week but your you really will do about two weeks is
generally done
I'll call you to check the status
in other words I'm going to take the time to call you and what some employers
do is very interesting
they'd don't call you back
before March 8 the wheat and if you don't call 'em
on March 8 or the worst the ninth
they throw your application away because you don't meet your commitments
camera trick not very nice
but they want to make sure you're going to do you say he'll do
tubal I one blank line and the word sincerely always the word sincerely you
can say Sincerely Yours but traditionally we just six sincerely
three blank lines and and that's where you will sign this
and then you put your name this is the only place your name goes
some love you have put the wording closure alone your name
and that's completely appropriate because you're going to closure job
application in your resume with this
that is not critical
there are other examples that I've placed in the same folder but that's the
gist of how
a cover letter works remember the goal is to get you in the job
without you having your packet turn away
your assignment for tomorrow in class is to write this
so be ready have your information ready good luck