How to write an effective Cover Letter.pptx

Cover Letter.

1. Cover Letter Compiled by Dr. Sherine Omar

2. PRESENTATION OVERVIEW What is a cover letter? What is the purpose of cover letters? Business formatting Paragraph by paragraph Things to keep in mind

3. Lead In Activity W hy did you choose Nile University or why did you choose your major. How did you know you would be a good fit for NU or for your major?

4. Avoid generic references to your abilities When possible, tell meaningful anecdotes that tie your skills to concrete problem-solving activities or tangible business results you've worked on in your career. Any candidate can say they possess a desirable skill. To make an impact, you need to show hiring managers examples of your skills in action. For example, "my skills would be a great fit for your organization" is vague. A more specific approach would be, "As a sales associate, I'm frequently required to provide exceptional customer service on short notice. Exceeding customers' expectations is a point of personal and professional pride for me, and this is a skill I'm eager to continue developing."

5. A COMPLEMENT TO YOUR RESUME Cover letters are a narrative complement to your resume. It a nswers basic questions about you as a candidate for the job Who, What, Where, When, Why, How A brief one page document that helps expand on the experiences you showcased in your resume. H ighlights your motivations in applying for the position and why you want to work with this specific organization . Showcases your personality and values. WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?

6. Watch the following video and state the importance of writing a cover letter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZSfMly_Ck

7. A cover letter is NOT a letter any more it is an e-mail used to apply for a certain vacant post.

8. TRADITIONAL Business Formatting Recent: To: Subject: make sure the job title or its refernce is in the subject line. Greeting, Introduction Paragraph Body Paragraph(s) Closing Paragraph Salutation, Your Name

9. Get in the right frame of mind with the 4 S’s Sensitivity: Put yourself in the reader’s shoes Strategy: Ask the right questions—request what the reader can actually give you Sales: Avoid “I want” and focus on “What I can offer you ” This is subtle: your enthusiasm for the job is a selling point too, so a little “I want” is OK Self-Confidence: Be comfortable selling yourself Use concrete examples to avoid bragging! Helpful Mindset for Cover Letter Writing

10. Cover Letter Format Use formal business e-mail formatting It has to be left-justified Use formal, but not convoluted language ALWAYS add your personal contact info Triple-check for typos Have someone else look it over

11. Cover Letter Tone Formal, Not Casual “Mr. Smith” not “Bob” No contractions or slang Simple, Not Verbose Use direct, action verbs Avoid passive voice Shorter, simple sentences E.G. Formal & Verbose: “I am in receipt of your correspondence.” Casual & Simple: “I got your note.” Formal & Simple: “I received your letter.”

12. Cover Letter Layout Greeting Body First Paragraph, The Hook: Who are you, where did you come from (implicit in this: how did you find me?) What do you want? Special circumstances Second (optional third) Paragraph, The Sales Pitch: Why should I give you what you are asking for? Last Paragraph, The Next Step - A Call to action. Closing Contact Info

13. Body Paragraph 1 In the first paragraph, mention the job title you're applying for and where you saw the position posting. Explain your interest in the role and company to show you've done your research. The  first section  of your cover letter is also the first impression the reader will have of you, so it's important to appeal to that person quickly and succinctly. Opening paragraph example: "I'm excited to apply for the Graphic Designer position at Cloud Clearwater I found on Indeed. I understand you're currently adding several new product lines, and I believe my skills in video and animation provide a significant advantage for creating a successful launch. As a longtime fan of your products, I'm thrilled at the opportunity to bring my unique style and passion for beachwear to the company."

14. Body Paragraph 2 Your second paragraph should be a brief overview of your background as it relates to the position. Include key achievements, skills and specialties that make you particularly suited to the position. Focus on one or two and provide specific details about your success, including measurable impacts you made. Pay close attention to   keywords listed in the job description   and include those you identify with in the body of your cover letter. You should only include information about your most recent professional experiences. Second paragraph example:   " As the Director of Human Resources at Wes Morgan Philips, I was a key senior leader in the organization and was responsible for improving the efficiency and performance of the company's 540 employees. Before that, I worked in human resources, equal employment opportunity and diversity for Jenkins Technology Solutions, Inc. At Jenkins Technology, I developed an employee retention plan involving a wellness program, an internal training program and a promotions selection process. This led to a 50% reduction in the overall employee turnover rate."

15. C losing P aragraph The closing paragraph should focus on another key achievement or skill relevant to the position. Instead of repeating details from your resume, summarize a specific story or anecdote that displays you're right for the role. If you're changing careers, this is a good opportunity to talk about  transferable skills   or relatable experiences from your career. Closing paragraph example:   "Achieving ambitious marketing goals is always a top priority, and I am always looking out for the company's best interests. I enjoy delivering marketing presentations to potential clients and focusing on an organization's strengths. My marketing skills at River Tech helped the company experience new levels of success and a 45% increase in customer engagement. I'm never satisfied with the status quo, and I believe that a company should continually look for ways to improve and reach new clients through innovative campaigns."

16. End with a professional signoff You should end your cover letter with a paragraph summarizing why you are applying for the role and why you would be a great fit. Keep the  cover letter conclusion   brief and explain that you look forward to the employer's response about possible next steps. End with your signature at the bottom. Signoff example: "Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to learning more about the sales position and TradeLot . Growth is essential to my continued success, and I'm excited for the chance to be a part of TradeLot's industry-leading team. My proven track record and TradeLot's quality products are a winning combination for increasing the company's market share. Sincerely, Malik Rabb (Contact Info)

17. Paragraph by Paragraph OPENING PARAGRAPH S tate the position to which you're applying , where you found it/ heard about it , name drop if you have a direct connection, and close with a ‘hook’ . ACADEMIC INTRODUCTION (Used if you are applying for something related to your major) State the college you a r e attending, your degree, relevant classes you ’ ve completed , and other relevant academic information. BODY PARAGRAPH Connect your skills, characteristics , experiences, and qualifications to the position and company as a whole. Highlights what interests you in working with this particular organization. CONCLUSION AND FORMAL CLOSING Reaffirm your qualifications and interest in the position and company . Be sure to i nclude your contact information. Could offer to follow up with the employer. End the letter formally.

18. Final Cover Letter Checklist After writing your e-mail, use this CAN DO attitude to evaluate your work! C Completeness Have you given enough info? A Accuracy Check grammar, spelling, titles, etc. N Neatness Check formatting, font, etc. D Directness Is the message clear? Is the language simple? O Organized Does your letter flow?

19. Dear Hiring Manager, I am applying for the Intern position at Crane & Jenkins. As a recent graduate of Coral Springs University, I am eager to take on a part-time position. I am creative and tech-savvy, and I live for creating content that not only reaches a wide audience but sticks with them as well. I am efficient, can meet deadlines, and quickly create content. Using my social media and organizational skills, I am excited about the idea of assisting Crane & Jenkins, a place that helps young people live fulfilling lives. I was recently the Social Media Manager at Retail Ocean, where I managed content calendars, wrote and edited posts, and moderated comments on social media channels. In addition, I served as the voice of the store, interacting with customers virtually. I scheduled when content was going to be posted, utilizing my organizational and critical thinking skills to publish shareable content. Through my efforts I kept customers happy and attracted new visitors. I have experience with both pitching ideas and taking instruction, and I can seamlessly transition from writing for one platform to another. I am passionate about blending visual elements with text and can incorporate both into posts. With a goal to increase Retail Ocean's engagement on social media, I created a new social media strategy. It increased Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook activity by 70% in a month. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you, in addition to learning more about the Intern position and working for Crane & Jenkins. Varied experiences are essential to my growth, and interning at Crane & Jenkins will give me opportunities to apply my skills, help the team spread its message, and grow as a young professional. (Mention your contact info.) Sincerely, Sofia Flores (Contact Info)

20. 15 Things to avoid when writing a cover letter Here are 15 things to avoid when writing a cover letter with tips and suggestions of what you can do instead: Not following instructions Using the wrong format Discussing why you are looking for a new position Using the same cover letter for every application Writing without first researching the company and position Discussing irrelevant work experience or a lack of experience Failing to highlight your strongest or most relevant skills Focusing on job duties instead of achievements Talking about salary expectations Failing to provide support for claims Not optimizing your cover letter with keywords Repeating information from your resume Using the wrong tone or style Failing to include a strong call-to-action in your closing Forgetting to proofread before submitting your cover letter

21. References: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/what-not-to-put-in-a-cover-letter Herritty , Jenniffer (2017). How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips) https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cover-letter