Resume and Letters Assignment
Prepare a current resume, a letter of application, and a follow-up letter for this assignment. The resume must be accurate and honest and factual--reflecting where you are in your professional and educational life. Don't add anything that is not true--even if it seems skimpy and/or short. The letter of application should follow the suggested format below, either responding to one of the job opportunities you found at the beginning of the semester or a new job opportunity that is more appropriate for your needs and skills. Regardless of your selection, you need to craft your letter around an actual job for a real company with your real skills. See follow-up letter link for suggestions for the required third letter.
Please submit both the resume and the two letters as a single upload to turnitin.com before you submit your hard copy to me.
Attach a copy of the job description/ad to the back of your cover letter.
Accuracy is critical. Errors on this assignment will be graded harshly because errors in a resume or letter of application or the follow-up letter in the real world will result in lost opportunities.
Due Date: February 17
Recommendations for an Effective Application (Cover) Letter
Introductory Paragraph
Salutations are always best if you use the correct title and last name of the person to whom you are writing, as in “Dear Mr. Dent.” Otherwise, “Dear Sir or Madam” is acceptable, though it is not personable and does not demonstrate your doggedness in finding out who exactly needs to be contacted.
State where and when you saw the ad, using italics for the names of newspapers, which job interests you, why you want this job, and why you think it would be desirable to work for this company. Mention the good things that you may already know about the company, if possible, but do not flatter them needlessly.
Body
Topic Sentences should state why your credentials make you an applicant worthy of an interview or consideration. Try to avoid being presumptuous – that is, don’t assume that your skills are exactly what they’re looking for or that you will be a perfect fit. Instead, convey a sense that you believe you are an appropriate candidate and would like to use the interview part of the application process to learn more about the company’s needs and so that they can learn more about you and your skills.
Don’t forget to give specific details about your experience: which major, which school, which courses, which projects, what you’ve learned, where you’ve worked, and how that job relates to the one advertised.
Conclusion
Restate the important points of the above recommendations in one sentence. Tell the reader what you are enclosing in the document; let the reader know in the text, after the signature, or both. Be gracious, thanking your reader for their consideration of your application. Include any additional contact information like email and phone numbers.