PROF. MYRNA MONLLORENGLISH 112

The Cover Letter

copyright© 2011 Myrna Monllor Jiménez

What is a cover letter?

Is a letter of presentation

Accompanies the resumé

Provides more information about yourself

Is usually one page long

It includes an introductory and a closing paragraph and two body paragraphs.

This is how your letter should look on paper

dateheading

inside address

salutation

closingsignature

Parts of the cover letter: the date

Write the complete day , month, year

Do not use abbreviations

For example:

September 2, 2008

Parts of the cover letter: the heading

This is your address. It does not include yourname.

For example:

2838 Camphor LaneDeLand, FL 32720

Parts of the letter: the inside address

Includes the name of the person to whom you are sending the letter

Includes the name of the person’s company or organization

Includes the address

Parts of the letter: the salutation

Dear Ms. Salomon:Dear Mr. Pietri:Dear Sir:Dear Madam:Ladies and Gentlemen:To whom it may concern:

Notice that in a formal letter the salutation is followed by a colon (:)

First Paragraph

What position do you want?

How did you learn about this position?

Why do you think you qualify for this position?

Copyright Delia Serrano 2005

Samples of attention getters

I am responding to your recent job listing in El Nuevo Día newspaper requesting a sales manager for your company.

I read your advertisement in The San Juan Star yesterday, and after researching your company, I was compelled to apply for the position of___.

The manager of GPI Paints, Anabelle Ruiz, has suggested I contact you regarding the opening for a___.

Paragraph 2

What are your skills and qualifications for the job?

Provide examples of how you apply or have applied your skills

Unspecific

I am studying Business Administration and I know I am a good candidate for this career because I am intelligent and a good businessman. I have good sales skills. I am a positive and friendly person.

Think of examples that

confirm what you are saying about

yourself

UnspecificI am studying

General Communications. I am a good candidate for this position because I am friendly, sociable, responsible, and agreeable. I already possess the creativity and originality to be a public relationist. My best asset is that I know how to communicate with other people and I am very imaginative.

What can she say to prove that

she is creative?

The more specific, the better

I’m studying theater, but I really want to study dance. I think I am good candidate for this career because I love the fine arts and have always been interested in these fields. Some of my skills are that I studied in the Fine Arts in Humacao, I danced for Tito “El Bambino” and La Secta All Star. At this moment, I have a dance group in Juana Diaz and I’m the lead of the group. I have danced for the Tourism Company project “ Siempre Joven”and I’m part of the Ballet Juvenil of Puerto Rico. My best asset is that I’m very creative, responsible, sociable, dynamic and positive. I am a person who achieves what I propose.

Paragraph 3

Ask for an interview at the employer’s convenience

Include information he/she would need to contact you.

Sample sentences for establishing contact

I am looking forward to meeting you to discuss my skills and qualifications for the position of

______. You may contact me at ______ or through my e-mail address __________.

_______is a company that would provide me with the opportunity to put my personality, skills and successes to work. At a personal meeting I would like to discuss with you how I will contribute to the continued growth of your company.

I can be reached anytime via my cell phone, 555-555-5555. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity.

I believe that I can apply my skills to a position within your company. I look forward to discussing with you in more detail. I will call next week to see if you agree that my qualifications seem to be a match for the position. If so, I hope to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time. Thank you for your consideration.

Parts of the letter: the closing

Sincerely,Cordially,

Notice that the closing is followed by a comma (,)

Parts of the letter: signature and typed name

Carmen MedinaMs. Carmen Medina

Leave 4 spaces after the closing for the signature

About the Letter

Be sure to state why you are writing the letter and the position that you want in the introductory paragraph

To make the letter better, try to begin each paragraph differently

The concluding paragraph, should include your asking for an interview or for an opportunity