Cover letters

The last item needed for your senior exit 
interview is your cover letter. Please see the 

material below. These are due by the close 

of class on Thursday, October 6 unless you receive extended time. Please share or send them 

along to me. I, of course, will make any

necessary corrections, before returning them

to you. However, you will receive a grade 

based upon what you send to me.

 (See rubric below) Please watch for

 capitalization and punctuation errors! 

PROOF READ. 

We'll start back into journalism material next Tuesday.

Learning target:

I can establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter introduces you and your resume to 

potential employers or organizations you seek to join

 (non-profits, educational institutions, etc). It is the

 first document an employer sees, so it is often the 

first impression you will make. Take advantage of this 

important first impression and prepare the reader for 

your application, stating why you are writing, why 

you are a good match for the job and the 

organization, and when you will contact him or her. 

Cover Letter templates - I given you two. 

 Sample cover letter format guidelines: Make sure to read the

 formatting information that follows and a sample for an

 employment position. before you begin writing. Note that that

 although you might not have a "real" position to which you 

are applying, please write yours to a college or business of 

your choice. Keep in mind most internships, scholarships and

 even assistant-ships require a cover letter. The purpose now

 is two-fold: to make you acquainted with the process and 

this is a requirement from the district for your senior exit 

interview, which is on November 30..  


Here is the required spacing: 

Spacing

• Single-space your cover letter.
• Leave a space between addresses and dates in the heading.
• Leave a space between your heading (contact info) and greeting ("Dear...:").
• Leave a space between each paragraph.
• Leave at least three spaces between your complimentary close ("Sincerely,") and typed name.

W

• Sign your name in ink between your complimentary close and typed name.

(Hard copy: sender address and contact info at top. Your address and the date can be left-justified, or centered; your name should be in size 14 font, but the rest in size 12. Use Times New Roman or Ariel Your Street Address City, State Zip Code Telephone Number E-mail Address

Month, Day, Year

Name Last Name Title Name of Organization Street or P. O. Box Address City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. LastName: If you don't know the name of the hiring manager, consider addressing your letter "Dear Hiring Manager," "Dear Recruiting Team," or "Dear [insert company name] Team." Do not say To Whom It May Concern. It is always best to address a cover letter to a real person to make it look like you’re not sending form letters. (Look up the name!)

Opening paragraph: State why you are writing; how you learned of the organization or position, and basic information about yourself. This is where you will mention the job for which you're applying and how you found the job listing. It only needs to be 1 to 2 sentences in length.

2nd paragraph: Tell why you are interested in the employer or type of work the employer does (Simply stating that you are interested does not tell why, and can sound like a form letter). Demonstrate that you know enough about the employer or position to relate your background to the employer or position. Mention specific qualifications which make you a good fit for the employer’s needs. (Focus on what you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you.) This is an opportunity to explain in more detail relevant items in your resume. Refer to the fact that your resume is enclosed. Mention other enclosures if such are required to apply for a position. You don't want to overwhelm the hiring manager or use up a great deal of his or her time. Try to answer the following questions in your body paragraphs: Why am I a qualified candidate for this position? What work experience do I have that fits the job requirements in the company's listing? Why do I want to work for this company specifically?

3rd paragraph: Indicate that you would like the opportunity to interview for a position or to talk with the employer to learn more about their opportunities or hiring plans. State what you will do to follow up, such as telephone the employer within two weeks. If you will be in the employer’s location and could offer to schedule a visit, indicate when. State that you would be glad to provide the employer with any additional information needed. Thank the employer for her/his consideration.This will be where you wrap up and discuss how you will proceed with the application. Consider including the following: Reiterate in one sentence why you feel you're a perfect fit for the position. Discuss what you'll do next. If you plan on following up with the hiring manager in a week or two, include a specific date. Otherwise, just say that you look forward to interviewing for the position and discussing your qualifications further. Provide your contact information. Include your email address and your phone number so the hiring manager can get in touch with you. Mention that your resume or references are attached (if applicable). Thank the person for their time. This paragraph should be 2-4 sentences.

Sincerely, (Your handwritten signature; leave three spaces for your typed name. Your name typed

(In case of e-mail, your full contact info appears below your printed name [instead of at the top, as for hard copy], and of course there is no handwritten signature) Enclosure(s) (refers to resume, etc.)

Your Contact Information
Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address

Date

Employer College Contact Information 
Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Salutation
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, (leave out if you don't have a contact or using Dear Hiring Manager or  Dear Sir or Madam or one of the other examples below)

Body of Cover Letter
The body of your cover letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.

First Paragraph
The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.

 (First Paragraph - Why you are writing?)

Middle Paragraph(s)
The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.  

Middle Paragraphs - What you have to offer the employer (be specific)

Final Paragraph 
Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up.

Final Paragraph - How you will follow-up

Complimentary Close

Respectfully yours,

Signature

Handwritten Signature (for a mailed letter)

Typed Signature

Length

• Keep to one page.
• Write one paragraph of introduction, one-three paragraphs to highlight your skills, and one paragraph to conclude.

                                  

Sample Cover Letter 

Belinda Mario
123 Los Gatos Blvd.
Waco, TX 12345
123-555-1234
bmario@unknown.com

June 22, 20xx

Director of Human Resources
Golden Light Nursery School
123 Projection Highway
Waco, TX 12345

Dear Director,

A teaching position at your school has long been a career objective of mine. Now that I've earned my Texas Childcare Credential, I'm eager to apply for a position on your childcare team.

After reading my enclosed resume, please consider me for any appropriate position in your system. My desire to work with children is strong and I believe that once I join your staff, we will together discover my niche.

I will call you on Friday to learn what positions are open for the fall. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Belinda Mario

Enclosure: resume

SAMPLE 2

Dear Mr. Adams:

I’m submitting an application for the editorial position you 

advertised on SuperJobs on September 10.

I've spent the last year and a half working full-time as a

 writer and editor for a publishing company that specializes in

 educational content. During that time, I've logged thousands 

of hours doing everything related to the editorial process, 

including copy editing, proofreading, content entry, and 

quality assurance. I currently manage a team of over 40 

freelance writers who work on a variety of different subjects, 

and I ensure that the quality of every submission meets our 

high editorial standards. I'm also very familiar with English

grammar and usage and have no trouble adapting to 

various style guides.

What I like most about my current job is that it gives me the

opportunity to learn and be creative,and it looks like this

position would do the same. I feel that I could be a valuable 

asset to your team,and I bring to the table all of the skills that

you require in an editor.

I look forward to discussing my qualifications further and can 

be reached by email at anpeterson@email.com or by phone

 at 460.555.0198. 

Thank you so much for your time.

Best,

Nicole Peterson