Tips on Cover Letters

• When e-mailing a recruiter, the cover letter becomes the text of the e-mail with the resume sent either as an attachment or copied and pasted within the space. The e-mail would not include your return address or date at the top (like a letter sent by mail would); simply start out with Dear Mr. Smith or Ms. Smith (see sample on page 18).
   
• Address your letter to a specific individual. Try to get this information by speaking with a representative of the organization or by checking the company’s Web site. Each letter should be tailored to fit an individual company and position. If you are unable to find a name, use a title such as “Human Resource Manager.”
   
• Take advantage of contacts! Mention any referral in the first sentence of the cover letter to increase the probability of obtaining an interview.
   
• Plan your letter carefully before you write it. You may find it helpful to develop several paragraphs you can mix and match for each position.
   
• Tell the employer what you can do for the organization and why you feel you are uniquely qualified. Include hard-hitting statements of accomplishment.
   
• Customize the letter, especially the first paragraph. Provide specific reasons why you are the best person for that particular position. The cover letter is your chance to stand out as an individual.
   
• Avoid overuse of the words “I” and “my” or other personal pronouns.
   
• Avoid extraneous words and clichis. Eliminate flowery phrases.
   
• Make sure your letter is no longer than one page. It should complement and expand your resume—not say the same thing.
   
• Check carefully for any spelling, grammatical, or typing errors.
   
• Sign the letter (if sending by mail)!
   
• Make sure you keep a copy for your files.
   
• Refer to your enclosed or attached resume somewhere in the cover letter. If sending by mail, put the word Enclosure at the bottom of the letter.

Resume Tips

• Keep your resume to one page if possible, certainly no longer than two pages.
• Layout is just as important as content. Avoid excessive punctuation and allow for plenty of white space. The resume must be easy to read.
• Be clear and concise, avoid a narrative format. Employers review resumes very quickly. Make sure every word on your resume is important and contributes to your goal of obtaining an interview. Many businesses use electronic applicant tracking systems to store and retrieve resumes. This system uses a scanner to digitize a paper resume and store it inside a computer. A search retrieval program allows an employer to search thousands of resumes that might match a given search criteria.
• Students seeking global positions should include a section on their resume entitled "Global Profile." You should include information on your foreign language skills, any international experience (e.g., traveling abroad) and your full-time permanent work authorization.
• Academic honors and honorary societies should be noted.
• Indicate if you financed a major (at least 50%) portion of your education.
• Emphasize promotions, recognitions and evidence of leadership.
• Summer, semester and part-time experience may be summarized.
• Exclude information which might be misinterpreted or form a negative impression. Items such as height, weight, health condition, date of birth, and religion can be discriminatory and should NOT be included.
• Emphasize special skills you possess which are particularly relevant to the position you are seeking. Among the skills you might want to include are the following:

planning ability, technical skills, leadership ability, knowledge of advertising and public relations, accounting skills, quantitative ability, decision making skills, problem-solving skills and analytical ability, budgeting expertise, persuasion skills, creative skills, knowledge of computers (be specific), organizational ability, fluency in a foreign language, public speaking skills, instructional/teaching skills, research data gathering skills, written and oral communication skills.

• Prepare several rough drafts. Experiment with different layouts. Be creative!
• Do not:

  state salary requirement; indicate race, religion, or political affiliation; indicate a narrow geographic preference; give reasons for changing past employers.