Writing a page of cover letter.

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CO VE R LE T T E R KE Y PO I NT S

BADM 300

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

Cover Letters

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

To be considered for almost any position, you will need to write a letter of application.

Such a letter does the following:

 Introduces you

 Explains your purpose for writing

 Highlights a few of your experiences or skills

 Requests an opportunity to meet personally with the potential employer

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

 Try to limit your letter to a single page. Be succinct.

 Assess the employer's needs and your skills. Then try to match them in the letter in a way that will appeal to the employer's self-interest.

 As much as possible, tailor your letter to each job opportunity. Demonstrate, if possible, some knowledge of the organization to which you are applying.

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What to Include in Your Cover Letter

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

 Write in a style that is mature but clear; avoid long and intricate sentences and paragraphs; avoid jargon. Use action verbs and the active voice; convey confidence, optimism, and enthusiasm coupled with respect and professionalism.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

 Show some personality, but avoid hard-sell, gimmicky, or unorthodox letters. Start fast; attract interest immediately.

 Arrange the points in a logical sequence; organize each paragraph around a main point.

How to Organize Your Cover Letter

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

Opening Paragraph

 State why you are writing.

 Establish a point of contact (advertisement in a specific place for a specific position; a particular person's suggestion that you write): give some brief idea of who you are (a Senior engineering student at UW; a recent Ph.D. in History).

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How to Organize Your Cover Letter

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

Paragraph(s) 2(-3)

 Highlight a few of the most salient points from your enclosed resume.

 Tap your reader's curiosity by mentioning points that are likely to be important for the position you are seeking.

 Show how your education and experience suit the requirements of the position, and, by elaborating on a few points from your resume, explain what you could contribute to the organization.

 (Your letter should complement, not restate, your resume.)

How to Organize Your Cover Letter

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

Closing paragraph

 Stress action. Politely request an interview at the employer's convenience.

 Indicate what supplementary material is being sent under separate cover and offer to provide additional information (a portfolio, a writing sample, a sample publication, a dossier, an audition tape), and explain how it can be obtained.

 Thank the reader for his/her consideration and indicate that you are looking forward to hearing from him/her.

Questions to Guide Your Writing

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

 Who is my audience?

 What is my objective?

 What are the objectives and needs of my audience?

 How can I best express my objective in relationship to my audience's objectives and needs?

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Questions to Guide Your Writing

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

 What specific benefits can I offer to my audience and how can I best express them?

 What opening sentence and paragraph will grab the attention of my audience in a positive manner and invite them to read further?

 How can I maintain and heighten the interest and desire of the reader throughout the letter?

 What evidence can I present of my value to my audience?

Questions to Guide Your Writing

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

 If a resume is enclosed with the letter, how can I best make the letter advertise the resume?

 What closing sentence or paragraph will best assure the reader of my capabilities and persuade him or her to contact me for further information?

 Is the letter my best professional effort?

 Have I spent sufficient time drafting, revising, and proofreading the letter?

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

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Personal SWOT Analysis

Strengths (internal)

 Think about the abilities (technical skills) and attributes (people or soft skills) that you possess

 Write down a list of at least 3 abilities and 3 attributes that will beneficial to you in searching for the industry or career for your future

 Elaborate on why and how these 6 skills are important in your job-seeking future

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

Personal SWOT Analysis

Weaknesses (internal)

 Think about the weaknesses that you have that could prevent you from being successful in securing the ideal job

 Write down at least 3 weaknesses: for example, we have discussed fear of public speaking or lack of time management skills

 Elaborate on why and how these weaknesses could hold you back

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

Personal SWOT Analysis

Opportunities (external)

 Think about and write down at least 3 opportunities that you are or may be presented with that will further your career

 Explain what these opportunities are and how they will affect you. These are typically things that are outside of you: great industry job market, chance to take advantage of advanced courses in your department, etc.

BADM 300 - Communication in Business

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Personal SWOT Analysis

Threats (external)

 Think about and write down at least 3 threats that may prevent you from moving forward in her future or being successful in obtaining the job you are after

 Consider how you can respond to these threats - are there ways that you can create or utilize opportunities to mitigate these threats?

BADM 300 - Communication in Business