Do Do Not Send to specific person

Use "Ms." to address a woman unless you know that she prefers "Miss" or "Mrs."

Use formal business language

Provide your contact information

Follow the format of a block business letter

Keep your letter to one page

Tailor your letter to the position

Speak to the job requirements

Clarify why you should be hired

Be brief and to the point

Show confidence and enthusiasm

Use a variety of valuable action verbs

Proofread your letter

Send your resume without a letter

Send written material with typos or smudges

Be negative

Tell employers what they can do for you

Rehash your resume or include too

much detail

Say anything about your lack of experience

Use clichés

Include false or unproven claims about your abilities

COVER LETTERSPurpose:

Message to an employer expressing interest in a job and politely requesting an interview.The word “please” does not automatically make it polite!

Format:Typed, Block FormatProfessional languageEmailed or dropped off in person, with a

resume.

Opening: (2 sentence paragraph) Interest, specific position, how you heard about the opening,

and reason for writing. See sample letter for guidance.

Body: (3-5 sentence paragraph) Basic qualifications

Use words from the classified ad: fast paced, reliable, team player, etc… Any experience or skills that would help you succeed in that position

Classes, GPA, bilingual, etc… Any highlights of your career.

Employee of the month, attendance award, etc…

Closing: (1-2 sentence paragraph) Polite request of an interview.

“I’d be happy to provide more information in a formal interview.” Contact info.

Best times to call, email address, phone number Professional email names!

MESSAGE DETAILS

SIGNATURE

Polite closing and final request of action “Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from

you.”

Sincerely,Enter 4 times, between sincerely and your typed name, for your

signature.

Sign your letter in BLUE or BLACK INK

Type your Name& address

Make note at the bottom that you have attached your resume (Enc: resume)

December 10, 2013

Mr. Carl Jones, Owner

Good Food Inc.

705 North Oak Street

Wylie, TX 75098

Dear Mr. Jones,

I am extremely interested in the restaurant server position advertised in today’s Wylie News. I would like very much to discuss this opening with you in person.

 

The enclosed resume outlines my qualifications which meet those indicated in the advertisement. I have 2 years of service experience at Hearty’s Home Cooking, where I was awarded Employee of the Month three times last year. My ability to multitask, entertain others, and work well with fellow employees should allow me to make a positive contribution to your company.

 

Please call me any day after 3:00pm at (214) 555-1234 to arrange a personal interview, or leave a message at (214) 555-4321. Monday or Friday afternoons work well with my schedule, or another time can be arranged at your convenience.

 

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

 Sincerely,

 

Susan Andrews

Email address

Phone #

Address

  

Enc: Resume

COVER LETTER ASSIGNMENT

Write a rough draft cover letter on notebook paper. This should be for the PC Classifieds job you

selected in class. Get approval to type Type your letter using Microsoft Word. Save… do NOT email yet!!