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As a CALS Ambassador, I conducted a workshop on cover letters and thank-you letters as part of the Kickstart your Career Professional Development Workshop Series.
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Cover and Thank-You Letters
By Jodie Joseph and Lauren Little
When Should I Use a Cover Letter?
Even when it’s not required
In conjunction with resume
Cover Letter Philosophy:
A Love LetterWhat do you love about that company?
Why should that company love you?
Why would you be a good “fit” for the position?
Introduction: The Bread
Who you are (elevator speech)
How you heard of the position
Name dropping
Highlights: The Meat
Experience, skills, qualifications
Demonstrate your “fit” with the company
Knowledge of industry
NOT a regurgitation of your resume
Brainstorm activity
What three things about you do you want the employer to get out of your cover letter?
Call Back: The Bottom Bread
Provides closure
Ask for interview
Thank-you for your time
I hope to take my current learning and future knowledge to a whole new level by joining the staff at Avian and Exotic Animal Care. I plan to acquire and utilize these new skills to best serve my future constituents- the animals and the people. After viewing my enclosed résumé, please follow up with any questions. I would love to speak with you for an interview at your earliest convenience within the next week. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Animal Lover
Animal [email protected]
How to make your cover letter stand out
Format
Personalization/customization
A story
Research!
Standard Format
The Table
Bullet Points
Top 3 things employers most want to see
Skills that relate to the job
Passion for the career path and industry
Keep it to a one page “story”. The resume has the facts, the cover letter tells the story.
60% of employers read the cover letter, so make yours count!
Thank- You Letters
Who should you thank?Interviewers- informational interviewersGuest speakersRecommendersMentorsBossesProfessors!Admissions committeesScholarship committees
Activity
Write a sample thank you letter to specific people currently in your life (a professor, mentor, boss, peer counselor, etc.)
Action Plan- Hand in the thank-you note and we will check in with you next week.
On the back of your evaluation….
List 3 things that should be included in your cover letter.
Describe 2 goals that you should have in mind when writing your cover letter.
