A cover letter is a letter of introduction sent to a prospective employer designed to express your interest in obtaining an interview. The cover letter should be specifically written for each position for which you are applying. See Figure 2.6 for an example. Expand upon a couple of details from your résumé, explaining how your talents and experience can benefit the employer. Communicate your enthusiasm for the job. When appropriate, mention a networking contact. Address your cover letter, written on high-quality paper, to a specific person and request a brief meeting. If the hiring manager’s name is not in the job announcement, telephone the employer and speak with a receptionist in the correct department. Be candid about your reason for needing a specific person’s name. Your letter should try to secure a face-to-face meeting to obtain more information and gather impressions. End the letter with a sentence stating that you will be telephoning or e-mailing within two weeks to reassert your interest in the position. Then, do so!
Obtain Strong Reference Letters
College students too often simply ask a couple of professors they like to write them a letter of recommendation. Professors typically give their best judgments in these letters. This may include identifying some student weaknesses as well as strengths. Students who ask for a letter from an instructor who does not know them well also risk receiving a bland, boilerplate, or average kind of reference. Always provide a résumé to professors from whom you request letters
Ask only those professors who know you and your schoolwork well. Approach them with a request similar to “Are you willing to give me a positive letter of recommendation? I need one that points out my better qualities and performance here at college.” If the instructor hesitates too long or gives you some negative feedback, it is time to consider asking a different professor for a recommendation. If your recommenders are willing to give you a separate copy of their letters, you will have them in your personal files for future use.
Apply
You can’t get a job without applying for it. Personalize your cover letter and résumé to fit the specific job of interest. Send it to the prospective employer. Many large employers prefer to receive job inquiries via the Internet, often through their website. If so, follow the application instructions to the letter. Other employers prefer a written letter and résumé. It’s often smart to do both. If you have not received a response to a job inquiry within two or three weeks, send a follow-up inquiry by adding a brief new opening sentence to your cover letter and send the revised letter with your résumé. When employers express interest in you as a prospective employee, they may request that you complete their official job application form. Be accurate in your responses.
College students too often simply ask a couple of professors they like to write them a letter of recommendation. Professors typically give their best judgments in these letters. This may include identifying some student weaknesses as well as strengths. Students who ask for a letter from an instructor who does not know them well also risk receiving a bland, boilerplate, or average kind of reference. Always provide a résumé to professors from whom you request letters
Ask only those professors who know you and your schoolwork well. Approach them with a request similar to “Are you willing to give me a positive letter of recommendation? I need one that points out my better qualities and performance here at college.” If the instructor hesitates too long or gives you some negative feedback, it is time to consider asking a different professor for a recommendation. If your recommenders are willing to give you a separate copy of their letters, you will have them in your personal files for future use.
Apply
You can’t get a job without applying for it. Personalize your cover letter and résumé to fit the specific job of interest. Send it to the prospective employer. Many large employers prefer to receive job inquiries via the Internet, often through their website. If so, follow the application instructions to the letter. Other employers prefer a written letter and résumé. It’s often smart to do both. If you have not received a response to a job inquiry within two or three weeks, send a follow-up inquiry by adding a brief new opening sentence to your cover letter and send the revised letter with your résumé. When employers express interest in you as a prospective employee, they may request that you complete their official job application form. Be accurate in your responses.
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