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Resume guide: cover letters

PURPOSE

Applications for professional positions require both the résumé and the cover letter. The resume is an advertisement of your skills and experi­ence. The cover letter allows you to tailor your application to each posi­tion and/or employer. While general content may remain the same, the assorted text-processing options, including find-and-replace and merging capabilities, allow you to create letters targeted to a specific industry/employer/position.

Research is critical in composing a successful cover letter. Be sure to:

  • Review job descriptions in CES or on employers’ web site.
  • Read news articles/press releases available under Researching Employers on CES home page, Hale Library or an Internet search for information.
  • Visit with current employees for information about the company.
  • Tour or shop at the facility/store, or purchase/test the product to increase familiarity.

CONTENT

Paragraph 1: The Opening

State the reason for writing and how you learned of the opening.

  • To apply for the marketing position advertised on September 24 in the Kansas City Star.
  • To inquire about software opportunities with Cadence, at the suggestion of my faculty advisor, Dr. Adams in the Computer Engineering Department at Kansas State University.
  • To respond to the internship at Midwest Health Facilities, posted with Career and Employment Services’ Jobs On­Line.

You may also explain why the employer/work appeals to you:

  • When I read of Maytag’s success in pioneering new energy efficient products, I knew I wanted to be a part of your sales team.
  • After working in senior design on Cessna’s newest aviation advancement, I became interested in applying for your engineering position.

Paragraph 2 and/or 3: The Rationale

This is where you THINK (of employers’ needs) and LINK (your skills and abilities). After reviewing the ad, job description, or other research on the qualifications required, you need to discuss and demonstrate two or three top skills from your Experience and Skill Inventory that qualify you for the opportunity. Be sure to answer your reader’s question: What can this candidate do for me or my company/agency? Content might be organized into:

  • Educational/Academic background (course work, projects, research).
  • Work Experience/Training/Internships.
  • Functional/Personal Skills (communication/leadership/work ethic) either expanding on your résumé summary, or mentioning other details.

Final Paragraph: Call to Action

Decide on what action you wish to request from the reader and how you will proceed:

  • Request an interview, or some other response, and tell how you may be contacted.
  • Indicate when you will follow­up to answer questions or learn more of their hiring process.
  • Thank the reader for his/her time and consideration.

COVER LETTER CHECK LIST

  • One page preferred, produced on word processor and laser printer.
  • No spelling or typing errors. Not even one! Check grammar, punctuation and syntax.
  • Write to the person who can hire you, with name, title, address correct and complete. Call, if in doubt, to obtain name. Choose a “non­sexist” term, if no name is available, i.e. “Dear Personnel Director, Search Committee, Reader”.
  • Use quality bond paper, 81⁄2 × 11 inches, which matches your resume.
  • Write in your own words, demonstrating knowledge, enthusiasm and focus.
  • Show you know something about the company, industry and use terms and phrases that are meaningful to the employers.
  • Sign with a blue or black pen.
  • Mail in 9 × 12 envelope with resume behind.
  • Choose a conservative stamp for your envelope.
  • Keep notes on date of mailing and date for follow­up call.