CHAPTER 3
Overall Tips
- • Companies want to know that you are specifically and genuinely interested in working for them. This is one reason why the letter must be fully customized. Very few applicants communicate real interest in a given company; most simply crank out dozens of nearly generic letters that have no impact. Hiring managers can spot them from a thousand miles away.
- • Invest the time and effort in writing killer job application materials, particularly the cover letter. Spend hours, if necessary, on each one. Make sure that you are really and truly interested in the position. Otherwise, you won’t be motivated to produce your best writing.
- • The best cover letters create a connection between the applicant and the company/position. The hiring manager and others in the company can picture you in the job, performing well and contributing to the team and the organization’s success. Try to create a kind of portrait of yourself that is appealing, compelling and relevant.
- • Demonstrate what you can do for the company, not what they can do for you. Talk about the contribution you can make. This is what they care about. They want valuable employees, and they’re not easy to find.
- • Proofread. Proofread some more. Have someone else proofread. Spell check. If you have even one typo, you will almost certainly not get interviewed.
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Professor Scholl, I would like to thank you for the skills of writing an effective cover letter and resume. I used these to apply for a promotion within my company and was interviewed the same day that I submitted it. By the end of the interview, I was offered this position and accepted. Sincerely, Aaron Emmons |
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Two emails received: 1st: My first interview for the job was with the CEO of the company, and the first thing he mentioned was how well written my cover letter and resume were (and how that was such a huge factor, given the nature of the position). 2nd: I got a really good job offer yesterday for a technical writing position at the company I wanted to work for. I went in today to be taken out to lunch by the CEO and accept the offer. Thanks for all your help! It must have been my rock star cover letter. Take care, Mary Bachman |
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Hello Professor Scholl, I just wanted to inform you about a success in my career due to your outstanding ENG 368 course this past semester. I have just been hired at SEPTA in Philadelphia as a summer intern in their Budget Department. It is a very incredible opportunity, but here’s the best part-they didn’t have a summer internship position in any finance related field until they read my cover letter and decided to create one just for me! My aunt is employed at SEPTA, which was surely also helpful in me getting this position, but she said they were truly blown away by my cover letter. I heard all of your examples in class on the first few days, but I never really understood until now how important a great cover letter is to receiving a job in this rough economy. Also, in my cover letter, I did exactly what you taught us in class by applying and “creating our own job” if one was not available in our field. I applied for an IT position even though I have no knowledge in that field. However, the letter obviously got into the correct person’s hands because they were able to pass it along far enough to create an entirely new position in their company. Thank you SO SO SO SO much for all of your help! I am beyond excited for this opportunity and so thankful for all of your help. Have a great summer, Amy Pisciella |