Cover Letter Help

Please follow the instructions below CAREFULLY.  If you do not include a job description/ad, points will be deducted.   Do not provide a website or URL, copy the job description from the site and paste it into your assignment.  Write your letter as a Word document and then simply copy/paste the job description under your letter in one file and then upload.

1. Find an actual job opening in the newspaper, online, or any other type of posting where you meet the qualifications for the position.  Most of you will be searching for an entry-level position.   Please include this job description with your submitted cover letter assignment, one file.  This can be an internship, part-time position, or if you are a senior, a real possibility.     JOB DESCRIPTION MUST INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION. Write your letter and then paste in the job description on the 2nd page of the file. Remember, you must use Microsoft Word AND COPY AND PASTE IT into format I can read, not all squeezed together.

2. Match up the job description requirements with your skill set.  Explain and highlight how your skills can fulfill what they are looking for in this particular position. You do not want to reiterate what is on your resume word-by-word, instead you want to pull from your experience and education and demonstrate how your skills match the requirements of the position as much as you can.  Provide examples.  Simply stating I have X, Y, and Z skills is not enough.  Tell how you developed or used these skills on the job or in a group project.

3. Construct your cover letter as suggested. Work diligently to use proper English and sound sentence structure to convince the reader that you are the best candidate for the job.  Start with an introductory paragraph and INTRODUCE YOURSELF.  "I am a student at Indiana University South Bend seeking a bachelor degree in business with a focus in accounting."  Next state you are interested in "name the position" you found on Indeed.com (state where you found it)  Add a line or two stating why you are interested or that "I believe my experience and education will satisfy the requirements of the position" or something to that effect.

Compose a middle paragraph as the body of the letter explaining your interest and qualifications that you believe are a good match for the position.  This is where you use KEY WORDS AND SKILLS directly from their job requirement as you explain and demonstrate you do have the skills they are seeking.

Finish with a closing paragraph explaining how they may contact you and summarizing your interest and qualifications and SPECIFICALLY ASK FOR AN INTERVIEW OR AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS YOUR QUALIFICATIONS.  Add a thank you for considering you for the position.  

4. Ensure you have all of the needed elements for a winning cover letter.  Also check out the examples I have provided. Remember, the cover letter is the introduction to your resume and demonstrates that you can write complete sentences, construct paragraphs, organize your thoughts, and make strong persuasive statements.  It is these two documents that will earn you an interview!

5.  If you cannot insert your signature, then end it with Sincerely, space once and then enter your name in a script font, space again and then type your name in the same font as the rest of your letter.