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resumé // business card // coverletter // envelope + mailing label // thank you // leave behind // online portfolio //
You might think that if you have a good resume, you don't need a cover letter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Your cover letter supplements your resume. It focuses attention on your achievements and gets a prospective employer interested in you.
Cover letters are especially important to new graduates. Through the cover letter, you can persuade an employer to look past a possibly thin work history to see the value of your education and non-professional experience.
PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION ON THESE PAGES
| What makes a Great Cover Letter | Top 10 Cover letter Tips | Top 10 Mistakes |
| Peer Examples |
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CONTENT
Introductory paragraph:
Identify yourself, in any way except my name is and I go to KU. Start off strong, interesting... You can say you are a young desinger but you don't need to say I am graduating in May. They will see all this on your resume, so be creative.
Something about yourself / how do you know of the company/ did someone tell you about them / refer you to them /see a job listing / did you see them speak / see them in an article online / in a magazine / state your objective (to get a job or internship, etc.) ...
Paragraph
Don't reiterate your resume. Make a stronger impression by limiting your focus to one or two experiences/projects. If you talk about a project and how it relates to them then they are likely to click on your link and look at the project (hook them into your portfolio). The more specific you can be, the better. * the project(s)/ experience you choose should change based on what the company you are applying to: if they are branding choose a banding project and maybe a project with a lot or research or a lot of text....
Paragraph
Something about them -- be specific -- a project you found interesting, a quote from the website... and why it speaks to you. Does it relate to anyting you have done or would like to do.
Conclusion:
In the final paragraph, restate your interest in the company and take an active roll say "I will contact you in next week". and CALL. Do not expect anyone to call you. You must call and call again.
Sincerly,
Your Name
website address, cell number
:: T I P S::
-- be formal
-- address it Dear Mr or Ms First Name Last Name (get it correct)
-- avoid being generic, be specific a thing or 2 about the company
-- be specific about a project or experience you have
-- do not be assuming "I know I have the qualifications, qualify me for the position..."
-- in the letter: do no list phone number or say this is how you can reach me
-- DO NOT list software you know in the letter
-- NO typos whatsoever
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Proofread. Use spellcheck, doublecheck your contact information and make sure your formatting is consistent. Ask a friend or family member to proofread it as well. Check for errors that spellcheck programs miss (i.e. there vs. their; to, too or two).
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