1.) All about me: Don't focus on how the job will be beneficial to you such as "This job is very interesting to me" and "I want more experience in this field." Most employers don't care about your needs and are looking for what you can do for them.
2.) Resume regurgitation: The cover letter shouldn't be a paragraph form of your resume. You may want to focus on a few accomplishments and talk about how those experiences can contribute to the business. You can also highlight things not in your resume.
3.) Carbon Copies: The main goal of a cover letter is to show how enthusiastic you are about the position and what you know about the company. This can't be done with a generic cover letter. Also, many recuriters can tell when they have recieved an impersonalized cover letter.
4.) Self-esteem: As students, we may feel inadequate at times since we don't have that much work experience. Don't use the cover letters to highlight your lack of work experience. Instead talk up your great activities that you have done and how those skills can be useful for their business.
5.) To whom it may concern: Try very hard to personalize the cover letter. If using E recruiting, use the employers search function to see who is the recruiter if it is not listed on the individual job posting. Also, look into calling the company and finding out who to send your job application materials to. If all else fails, Dear Hiring Manager will have to suffice.
2 comments:
You put an emphasis on showing enthusiasm for the position.
To what extent do we show enthusiasm without showing too much and appearing desperate.
Also, very few applicants get the 'perfect' position. Should we be honest about the aspects of an internship or job that may not be a great match? How do we work with employers to tailor internships or jobs to be a better match without turning them off?
Showing enthusiasm should be sincere. The best way I can think of doing this in a cover letter is to tell how you learned of the company. Tell them what it is about them that you like. An example: "I am really interested in Scholastic Book Publisher, not just because I have a background in publishing, but because your company published my favorite book series of all time, Harry Potter, even after other publishers overlooked it."
This shows a knowledge of the services the company provides, and some inside knowledge (did you know Random House actually said no to Harry Potter? Unbelievable.)
As to your other question, I would recommend always being honest but, knowing that there might be no perfect fit for you, to go after what you think is the CLOSEST fit, both for you and the company, because those are the jobs you are most likely to get and be happy with. So tell them you would be a great match for their desired skills, because you are. Don't make up stuff, by telling them you are super-organized when you aren't. Bring up true strengths, and how you have demonstrated them, or how you are improving on the strengths that you already have.
If you have any other questions, or if you need more clarification, stop by QQ hours at 160 Umrath Hall, 12-8 on Mondays and Tuesdays, 12-5 on Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays. Good luck!
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