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COVER LETTERS

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Part 1 - Formatting

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The School of Business Career Center

KMC410

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What is a cover letter?

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A cover letter is a one page document that will accompany your resume when applying for a job.

Why do a cover letter?

A cover letter allows you to summarize your skills & experience and connect it to the job you are applying for. It tells more of your story and helps convince the employer to give you an interview.

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Components & Formatting a Cover Letter

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Cover Letter Breakdown

Header

Date & Employer Contact Information

(also part of the header)

Salutation

Body (usually consisting of three paragraphs - see Part 2 for details)

Closing

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Header

To keep all of your documents organized and visually appealing you will want to use your resume header on all of your documentation (i.e. resume, cover letter, professional references, etc…)

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Be sure to include:

    • First and Last Name
    • City & State
    • Phone Number
    • Email
    • LinkedIn URL

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Examples

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Date &

Employer Contact Info

  • Include today’s date above the employer’s contact information

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  • Employer contact information should include:
    • Contact’s Name & Title (if available)
    • Company Name
    • Company Address and Street
    • City, State, Zip

Examples

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Salutation

  • Address the hiring manager by name, if available
    • Double check spelling and who you should be addressing.
    • You can address the individual formally (i.e. Dear Mr. Yu) or semi-formally (i.e. Dear Jordyn)

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  • Keep it formal and polite
    • Stay away from openings like “Hello there!” or “Hi”.
    • Dear ___ is always a good option.
      • “Dear Hiring Manager”
      • “Dear HR Team”
      • “Dear Hiring Committee”

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  • Avoid generic salutations such as: “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam”.

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Closing

  • Keep it formal
  • Avoid casual/familiar closings like: “Cheers”, “Your truly”, & “Have a wonderful day”
  • Include your name below the closing and your signature if you so choose

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Finally, Stay Consistent

  • Use the same legible font and font size throughout (your name can be different)

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  • Use .5” to 1” margins on all sides

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  • ONE PAGE MAXIMUM

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Questions?

Feel free to schedule an appointment with your Career Coach in KMC410

or visit us online!

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COVER LETTERS

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Part 2 - Content

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The School of Business Career Center

KMC410

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GETTING

STARTED

    • Review the job description for the position you are applying for and highlight the specific skills and responsibilities listed.

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    • Create an outline of your key skills & strengths.

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    • Prepare an outline of your cover letter
      • Identify 2-3 examples you would like to include to demonstrate your skills/qualification
      • Summarize how your experience makes you a strong candidate for the position
      • Summarize why you are interested in the company (this might require research)

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Cover Letter Breakdown (Part 2)

Header (see Part 1 for details)

Date & Employer Contact Information

(see Part 1 for details)

Salutation (see Part 1 for details)

Body (usually consisting of three paragraphs)

Closing (see Part 1 for details)

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Cover Letter: Body

The body of the cover letter is broken into three sections:

    • Opening Paragraph
    • Middle Paragraph(s)
    • Closing Paragraph

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The purpose of a cover letter is to

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Make an Impact

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Grab the Reader’s Attention

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Focus the needs on the employer

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Align your skills and experience with the job description

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Proofread!

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Opening Paragraph

Catch the Reader’s Attention!

  • Show your enthusiasm!

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  • Include the title you are applying and where you heard about the position

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  • Why do you resonate with the company?

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  • Why are you applying?

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The Critical Middle Paragraph(s)

This is where you make it clear that you are who they are looking for!

Be sure to explain:

Why you are an excellent fit for the position?

  • Connect your experience/skills to the main responsibilities of the position (both required and preferred qualifications).
  • Why does your experience make you the best choice for the job?

Why you are a good fit for the company?

  • What do you like about the company?
  • Target the needs of the employer and prove you can help
  • What are you professional values and how will they help you in this at this company?

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The Critical Middle Paragraph(s) Continued

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EXPAND��Expand on the information provided in your resume!

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DO NOT just repeat the information.

This is your chance to show HOW you have utilized your skills and education.�

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PROVIDE

EXAMPLES�

Give 2-3 examples of times you used skills/strengths that you have and how they will help you at the position.

PERSONALIZE�

Why do you want to work for THEM?

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Address the company’s goals and how you can meet those goals and support the growth of the company.

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Cover Letter: Conclusion

  • Give a final statement/summary of interest/qualifications

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  • End with action
    • Welcome contact
    • Request an interview

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  • Include your contact information

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  • Thank the employer for their time and consideration

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Remember:

Remember:

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The goal of your cover letter is to convince the employer that they want you to come work for their company!

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Questions about Cover Letters?

Feel free to schedule an appointment with your Career Coach in KMC410

or visit us online!