the art of writing a coverletter by ingrid andersson (dg hr)
TRANSCRIPT
7/31/2019 The art of writing a CoverLetter by Ingrid Andersson (DG HR)
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Human Resourcesand Security
Unit B4.Career & Performance Management
HR.B4
The Art of Writing
a Cover Letter
Workshop for Trainees
26 June 2012
7/31/2019 The art of writing a CoverLetter by Ingrid Andersson (DG HR)
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HR
Table of Content
• What is a Cover Letter ?
• Questions ?
• Role of the Cover Letter
• Before starting …
• Short & Sweet
• Layout• Body text
• Paper version vs. E-mail
• A perfect CL2
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HR
What is a Cover Letter ?
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What is a Cover Letter ?
CV
Cover
Letter JOB
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HR
What is a Cover Letter (2) ?
The CV is a succession of events in your life,the cover letter is about yourself
The resume (CV) tells,
the Cover Letter sells !
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HR
Questions ?
How much time do you think a recruiter spends on reading:
- Your CV ?
- Your Cover Letter ?
Which is the most important:
CV or CL ?
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HR
Role of the Cover Letter
• The CV can remain the same,but the Cover Letter is always adapted to eachapplication
• It accompanies your CV when applying for a job
• It brings attention to aspects that can enhance yourapplication
• Show how what you have matches what they want
• You have to show WHO you are, what you KNOW andCAN, and what you WANT
PERSUADE 6
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Before starting …
• RESEARCH about company/organis.
• READ carefully the vacancy notice
• IDENTIFY the requirements
• MATCH your skills with those required• PROVE them !
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Short & Sweet
Your CL should be :
• no longer than 1 page !
• addressed to the person who canhire you
• written in your own voice
• answering the questions :“Why should we hire you ?”
“Why do I want this job ?”
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7/31/2019 The art of writing a CoverLetter by Ingrid Andersson (DG HR)
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LayoutMy name AddressTel/Mobile
Date of Letter
Contact Person's Nameand TitleEmployer's NameEmployer's Address
Salutation
Text of 3-4 § max.
Sincerely,
Your Name Typed
Enclosure: CV 9
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Layout (2) • You
• Date : fully spelt out
• Addressee : try to get the exact name and title of
contact person, and the right name and address of company/organisation
Dear Mr Smith /Mrs Fischer/Ms Legrand
OR Dear Sirs, Dear Sir or Madam
• Salutation /Closing ”Formule de politesse”
Cultural differences • Signature
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Body Text
1 st §: - Why are you writing.- Position name or kind of work for which you areapplying.
- How did you hear of the vacant position or theorganisation.
2nd §: - Explain why you are interested in this type of workand why you chose this employer.
- State relevant work experience & education andidentify the specialized qualifications / training / skillsyou have which correlate to the job for which you areapplying.
- Express your personality and experience.
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Body Text (2)
• 3rd §: - Round out the letter with a positive statement orquestion which will trigger the reader to call you
for an interview.
- Refer the reader to your resume to get a moredetailed explanation of your qualifications.
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7/31/2019 The art of writing a CoverLetter by Ingrid Andersson (DG HR)
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Paper version vs. E-mail
• Use same good quality of A4 paper for both CV
and CL (consistency…)
• CL in the text of the e-mail or as attachment ?Formats ?
• Avoid sending from a “funny” e-mail addresssuch as [email protected] [email protected] …
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A perfect Cover letter is …
• Easy to read
• So attractive that the recruiter wants tointerview you
• Free of spelling errors !
• Free from unknown abbreviations
• Written in a varied style and not always withI… I… I…
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7/31/2019 The art of writing a CoverLetter by Ingrid Andersson (DG HR)
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Some references
• British sites:http://www.jobsite.co.uk/insider/10-top-tips-how-to-write-a-covering-letter-3080/
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverletters/a/aa030401a.htm
• American sites:
http://www.bestcoverletters.com/
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Cover-Letter
• French (and some other languages):
• http://www.stepstone.be/Conseils-de-Carriere/Trucs-astuces
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7/31/2019 The art of writing a CoverLetter by Ingrid Andersson (DG HR)
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Questions&
Answers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fontplaydotcom/
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Ingrid AnderssonCareer Guidance Counsellor