cover letter writing
Job Application Letters
In this activity, you will create three documents:
A covering letter for a resume that you would send to a potential employer.
A resume of your actual life.
A personal or professional reference letter for another student in this class.
Part One: The Covering Letter
This will be for an actual job you will seek, once your course of study is complete. You will need to research the company and demonstrate knowledge of the business and use actual names of potential hiring personnel.
Part Two: The Personal or Professional Reference Letter
You will interview a fellow student in your class in order to generate a reference letter. The reference will be to support the position for which he or she is applying with their covering letter.
When You Hand in the Final Products
Expectations:
Must demonstrate perfect English
Serif fonts
Proper business letter format
The writing needs to be human and to avoid vagueness.
What you hand in will contain these components in this precise order:
An APA title page on top, but APA formatting will not extend into the actual assignment
1 single page covering letter for your own job search process
1 single page reference letter for a classmate’s job search process
Planning work and rough drafts
a rubric attached at the back
Nota Bene – marks will be assessed for all portions of this assignment. Failure to hand in the entire assignment will cause the loss of marks.
Part One: The Covering Letter
(Note: This is the letter you send along with your resume when you apply for a job.)
What three questions do employers need answered before they hire you?
Can you do the job?
Do you want to do the job offered?
Would you be a good colleague?
Things to consider as you write the letter
Your covering letter may be the first exposure a potential employer has to you. Because there are so many applicants for positions, you cannot afford to have a letter that reads just like all the others.
For this assignment, you are going to write a covering letter for the actual first post Seneca permanent job for which you expect to apply. Please note that this is a practice exercise. You will not have to use the name of a real business. It should be for a job you hope to obtain right after Seneca.
General expectations:
Your letter must be perfect. There may be no spelling or grammar mistakes.
It needs to feel human. It should not feel as though you have filled in all the blanks in a form.
It may be no longer than one typed page. (That means single spacing is permissible for this exercise.)
It must be addressed and laid out professional and properly.
It should be three or perhaps four paragraphs long.
DO NOT USE TEMPLATES FOUND ON-LINE.
Other Considerations:
Never say how the job is good for you.
Never write “Your company” or “my friend”
Be specific
You don’t want to sound like you’ve sent out a form letter, even if you have
Vagueness sounds dodgy
Use the right details, such as the company’s name, not that of another company to which you are applying.
Make sure your English is perfect
Don’t be obsequious as it sounds desperate.
What it should contain:
Opening Paragraph:
In this paragraph, you identify the position for which you are applying. If someone suggested that you apply for the job, name that person. You may also note where you saw the posting, if you learned of it on your own.
What it should contain:
Paragraphs Two and Three (three is optional, depending on how much you have to say):
Explain how your credentials match the position you seek.
Explain why you would be a good fit.
Demonstrate that you have done your homework and know something about the company.
Tell some sort of personal story or anecdote that makes your application more real. Try to be interesting because dull is quickly forgotten.
What it should contain:
Conclusion Paragraph
Offer to provide further information and request an interview. Let them know you will be following up your request for an interview.
Part Two: Reference Letter – these particulars should be present
Proper business salutations and contact information
Opening paragraph in which you identify yourself and indicate why you are a good person to provide a reference and why you are doing it. These things could include business credentials or time you have known the applicant. Make sure you indicate who the candidate is!
A paragraph or two providing precise evidence that the applicant has the necessary experience, personality, knowledge that would make him or her a great addition to the business.
A conclusion paragraph in which you might offer to take a phone call to answer any further questions.
Proper signature.