The document provides a comprehensive guide on writing a cover letter for job applications, detailing its purpose, types, essential sections, and effective strategies. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring the letter to the job description, highlighting qualifications, and maintaining professionalism in format and language. Additionally, it offers tips for creating an engaging introduction and avoiding common pitfalls in cover letter writing.
The document provides a comprehensive guide on writing a cover letter for job applications, detailing its purpose, types, essential sections, and effective strategies. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring the letter to the job description, highlighting qualifications, and maintaining professionalism in format and language. Additionally, it offers tips for creating an engaging introduction and avoiding common pitfalls in cover letter writing.
The document provides a comprehensive guide on writing a cover letter for job applications, detailing its purpose, types, essential sections, and effective strategies. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring the letter to the job description, highlighting qualifications, and maintaining professionalism in format and language. Additionally, it offers tips for creating an engaging introduction and avoiding common pitfalls in cover letter writing.
The document provides a comprehensive guide on writing a cover letter for job applications, detailing its purpose, types, essential sections, and effective strategies. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring the letter to the job description, highlighting qualifications, and maintaining professionalism in format and language. Additionally, it offers tips for creating an engaging introduction and avoiding common pitfalls in cover letter writing.
SECOND SEMESTER | QUARTER 4 | SUBJECT: READING & WRITING
COVER LETTER
o A job application letter or cover letter is a type of personal business correspondence which states your intention to work in a particular organization. o This is a letter that accompanies your resume and highlights the strengths that you have listed. o It is written after polishing your resume.
WHY DO I NEED A COVER LETTER?
1. Employers use cover letters to: 2. Get more information than provided on resume. 3. See who can do a job. 4. See if you can write/communicate. 5. Decide which applicant will be interviewed.
AN EFFECTIVE COVER LETTER ACCOMPLISH…
1. explains why the applicant wants the job; 2. highlights applicant’s suitability for the job; 3. compels the reader to look at the applicant’s resume 4. shows that the applicant’s qualifications match job requirements; 5. convinces the employer to give the applicant an interview.
TYPES OF COVER LETTER:
1. SOLICITED o This type of letter is a written to a job posting or advertised
opportunity.
2. UNSOLICITED/ o An expression of interest for any possible job opportunity.
PROSCPECTIVE o It is sent along the curriculum vitae when you apply for a company that is not currently advertising.
SECTIONS COVER LETTER CONTAIN
1. HEADING/INSIDE o This contains the full name and title of the hiring manager of the
ADDRESS company and the company’s name and address.
2. INTRODUCTION o This part opens the letter and specifies the position that you are applying for. 3. BODY o This part emphasizes your strongest points and shows how you meet
PARAGRAPHS the employer’s needs.
4. CLOSING o This part of the letter is where you request for an interview.
5. ENCLOSURE o It is a list of any additional documents included in your application.
6. SIGNATURE o A person's name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification in authorizing a check or document or concluding a letter.
PARTS OF COVER LETTER:
I. INTRODUCTION o This part opens the letter and specifies the position that you are applying for.
Here are some tips in writing an attention-grabbing introduction;
1. Name the source of your information specifically. 2. State the job title and explain how your qualifications match its requirements.
II. BODY o This part emphasizes your strongest points and shows how you meet the employer’s needs. o It is also essential to highlight the benefits that the organization will get from accepting you. o Go back to your resume, and then select the qualifications which you believe is most fitting for the job. Look for ways to connect your experience to practical situations required in the job posting. o You can also use this part of the letter to showcase your personality. Choose the best instances that reveal your ability to lead, work in a team, and communicate.
III. CONCLUSION o This part of the letter is where you request for an interview. Remember to sound enthusiastic and appreciative, and do not forget to include your contact information.
FORMATS AND MECHANICS
1. Use letter-sized bond paper; limit the letter to one to two pages. 2. Always sign the letter. 3. Use a letterhead which includes your full name, address, phone number, and email address. 4. Use a business letter format. (block, full block, semi-block, or simplified) 5. Use 1 to 1.5-inch margin on all sides. 6. Do not cram the text at the upper half or lower half of the page. Be sure to have appropriate page fill. 7. Use white or off-white paper. 8. Use a font size of at least 10 points and maximum of 12. TIPS IN PREPARING A COVER LETTER: 1. Never begin your letter with bland and generic phrases such as, “Enclosed is my resume for …”. To be more creative, you may use the following strategies: a. Begin with a question that stimulates the reader’s interest. b. Lead in with a name of someone you both know (e.g., When Dr. Gilda Nomer mentioned your name in a conference…). c. Start out with a quote that applies to the type of business of the employer. d. Explain how you learned about the job opening you are applying for, Remember that although readers, especially the employers, want attention – getters, you do not have to resort to shallow and contrived pitch. It might sound fake, and this alone might harm your chances of being hired. 2. A cover letter must not simply repeat the content of your resume. Emphasize concrete examples. 3. Address the letter to a specific person. If you do not know the specific address, call the company and ask. 4. Be specific with the position you are applying for. Do not use general vacancies. 5. Avoid superfluous information. a. Do not begin with “Let me tell you something about myself. My name is …” b. Moreover, do not include too much specific information (dates, numbers, names. places). c. Choose and include hard factual information. 6. Focus on what you can do for the company. Remember that they are looking for their own benefit. 7. Avoid mentioning opinions about yourself. When you claim one, be sure to support it with specific and factual evidence. 8. Highlight two or three of your most significant accomplishments or abilities. 9. Use the active voices to indicate a dynamic tone, as well as powerful verbs that denote action. 10. Be sure to have correct grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and usage. Avoid jargons, clichés and verbosity. Any typographical and grammatical errors may cause the reader to doubt your competence. 11. Be direct to the point to keep the attention of your reader. 12. Be factual. Never misrepresent yourself by overstating your experience and skills. In short, do not exaggerate. 13. Do not beg for the job; that is, do not write sentences such as. “Please call today!” I’ll be waiting by the phone. I am desperately eager to start.” 14. As you write, imagine that you are writing a script for your interview. Translate into words how you could break the ice at the beginning of the interview, how you can convey a positive personality while discussing the things, you want to talk about, and how 15. Match your letter to the job description and job requirements. This means that each letter should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.
