due today 8 am !!!!!!!
saraalhamdan
cover_letter_directions_spring_2016-1.docxSOM 301 COVER LETTER
Final: Due in lab the week of Oct. 7 (Week 7). Submit your final to SafeAssign before the start of lab. Make sure to include the job posting and where it was found on a separate page (NOTE: there is a separate submission for the job posting). You only need to upload the final copy to Blackboard; you do not need to bring a final hard copy to class.
Points: Draft: Must complete in order to receive full credit on final. You will receive a penalty of 10 points off your final assignment grade if you do not complete this incremental assignment. This should be more than a rough draft. Treat your writing as a process and submit at least your second or third draft on the Draft due date.
Final: 100 points maximum. You will have the opportunity to revise your draft based on feedback from your classmates, and your final should be a reflection of that revision. You are also encouraged to see your professor during office hours for any specific questions on your cover letter.
Objective: To develop a working cover letter
Format: Professional letter (see sample on Bb)
Audience: Potential employer; formal
Hard Copies: Two hard copies are required in lab on the draft due date for peer review.
SafeAssign: Required for Final Cover Letter. Failure to submit to SafeAssign by the start of lab will result in the assignment being considered late and marked as a zero.
Grading: See page 2 of this document and rubric posted to Blackboard
Formatting Note: Do not include the name, lab section number, and due date header on this assignment.
Honor Code: All instances of plagiarism–intentional or unintentional–will result in a report sent to the University Honor Committee and a recommendation of a zero for the assignment, and possibly the course.
One thing you should take from this class is a working cover letter that you can alter to fit the specific requirements and needs of a potential employer. You may already have a working cover letter, and if so, look it over and take into consideration information from the textbook and lecture. You are expected to use a new and current job posting for this assignment.
Assignment
Find a current, professional job listing that interests you and create a cover letter for that position (or tailor your working cover letter to that position). The listing must be current and have been posted within the last month (make sure to save a copy of the full job posting to turn in with your draft and final; the URL is not enough). The job should be something related to your major (if your major is undeclared, then find a job posting related to what you will likely choose as your major), and should be something you could apply to today (not when you graduate). If you are uncertain as to whether the job listing you have in mind is considered professional, then please see your lab professor for approval.
NOTE: You must use the same job listing for this assignment and the Elevator Pitch assignment.
Assignment Requirements
1) Create your cover letter or review the cover letter you currently have, tailoring it to your chosen job listing. Be sure the information you provide is accurate and concise, the cover letter is consistent in style and format, and the overall product is attractive. In the cover letter, show the reader why you would be an asset to the company. Provide 2-3 specific and developed examples of your accomplishments/abilities, and make sure to consider these examples in relation to the job posting. Explain to the reader how you can contribute to the company. Try to differentiate yourself from other candidates by demonstrating your uniqueness as you address the topics covered in the job posting.
2) The cover letter should be properly formatted (see Letter Format document) and three-fourths to a full page in length with standard one-inch margins, the appropriate use of white space, and 12 pt. font.
3) You must submit a separate page that includes the full job posting and where it was found along with your Draft (hard copies for your peer review) and Final Cover Letter (submitted to Bb). Underline or highlight the areas in the job posting that you focused on for this assignment.
4) Research the company you are applying to in order to set yourself apart from other candidates. This will also come in handy when writing your elevator pitch.
Potential Step
1. Review the “Career Management – Undergraduate” organization in Blackboard. You should all be automatically enrolled as business students; however, if you’re not, please contact the School of Business Career Services office for assistance with this: http://business.gmu.edu/undergraduate/career-services/.
2. Check out the University Career Services’ pamphlet, “Career and Internship Guide: A Guide for Career Planning and Job Searching,” at: http://careers.gmu.edu/students/movingon/upload/document-2.pdf. Read over the sections on resumes and cover letters. This will cover design features for the resume, as well as application letter writing.
Grading Criteria: Please see rubric posted to Blackboard for detailed grading criteria.
Draft: Must be completed in order to receive full credit on the final assignment. You will receive a penalty of 10 points off on your final assignment grade if you do not complete this draft assignment.
Final: Make sure to include the job posting and where it was found on a separate page. If you fail to include the job posting with your final cover letter then you will receive a penalty of 10 points off your final assignment grade.
*NOTE: Although grammar and mechanics will only count 40% towards your grade on the Final Cover Letter, it is important to realize that there can be no errors on cover letters submitted to prospective employers. Even one error can prevent you from getting an interview or position.
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