Cover Letters and Resumes

1. Cover Letters and Resumes

2. Cover Letter • Defined as a letter submitted with your resume to elaborate on your positive points in your resume • Provides you with a chance to show off your writing skills

3. Keys to a good cover letter • have a strong letter head with your up to date contact information: name, address, phone number, and email address • Address block with prospective employer’s name, position, company name, and full address. • Proper etiquette when addressing the prospective employer: examples- Dr., Mr., or Mrs./Ms. • Body of the letter should express interest in the position and highlight the key points of your resume

4. Sample Cover Letter

5. Creating a letter head • Use simple text and graphics and colors; nothing too bright or flashy • Use your complete legal name (example: Jonathan Q. Smith) • Use your complete, up to date mailing address including city, state, and zip code. • Use your complete, up to date phone number including area code

6. Body of cover letter • Paragraph One. State your objective and mention the job position • by specific title or by department. Express your interest in applying for a particular position or in researching any possible availability. • Be brief in this paragraph • An example would be: “I am writing to submit my application for the Account Representative position in your Birmingham office. Based on my knowledge of Compass Bank and the position, I am confident that I exhibit the skills and traits you are looking for in a potential employee.”

7. Body of Cover Letter continued • Paragraph Two. Give a brief summary of your qualifications, skills and • experience. Demonstrate how your qualifications, skills and experience relate to the job. Mention unique attributes that set you apart from the competition. • This is the main paragraph where you “sell yourself” to the potential employer • An example of this paragraph would be “I will be graduating from the University of Montevallo in August of 2008 with a Bachelors of Business Administration, concentrating in the area of Finance. During my studies I was given the opportunity to work for the Computer Services Office on campus. This job helped me to gain experience in interpersonal communications. It also demanded a high level of professionalism, not much unlike what your company expects. I believe the position of Account Representative with Compass Bank will allow me to utilize the skills I have gained at Computer Services as well as the rest of my experience. I am a hard worker who is dedicated to the job at hand, and will put my all into any task that is handed to me.”

8. Body of Cover Letter continued • Paragraph Three. Express an interest in learning more about the company and the job. Request an interview. • This is the paragraph where you summarize your letter and your last chance in the cover letter to win the potential employer over • An example of this would be “Enclosed you will find a copy of my resume. To ensure that you have received all of my information, I will follow up with your office later this week and hopefully set up a time that we may meet in person. I would appreciate the opportunity to prove myself as an asset to Compass Bank. If there is anything else that you require feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to speaking with you.”

9. Resume • Contains the applicant’s educational background and job experience • Employers typically review many resumes for a job opening • The design of your resume will help you stand out and present why you would be the best candidate for the job

10. Styles of Resumes • There are many different styles of resumes • Templates are available on Microsoft Word for Resumes • Some choose to create their own style • Styles can vary based on the type of job you are applying for

11. Sample Resume