[NFBNJ] Job Fair Preparation Module Three - Writing a Cover Letter

[Linda Melendez]

Hello again NFBNJ members and Federation friends,

Attached and included in the body of this email is the third  module to
assist you in preparing for our upcoming job fair. This module is titled,
"Writing a Cover Letter"  and is designed to assist with the creation of an
effective Cover Letter. This normally is sent to a potential employer along
with a resume.

Special Note:  Keep in mind emails can sometimes mess with document
formatting.

Best of luck,
Job Fair Team

*Cover Letter*

A cover letter is a document that accompanies a resume when a job seeker
applies for a job. The cover letter has a unique role in that it helps the
job applicant express their interest and qualifications for a position in a
way that a resume is not able to do. Cover letters allow the job seeker to
write in their own voice and provide information that is not easily found
in a resume. In fact, some recruiters claim that they would prefer to have
an applicant's cover letter instead of a resume as they can gather much
more information about the person. Since the cover letter is in your own
voice, it is important to put in a lot of effort and have somebody else
read it and give you feedback.



I can tell you that as someone whom has worked as a Recruiter and as a
Hiring Manager, I always insist on the applicant sending a cover letter
along with their resume. It allows me to see what their writing skills are
like. It also gives insight as to how an applicant can follow directions.


*Formatting a Cover Letter*

It is important to use the standard style of writing a business letter when
you reach out with a cover letter or request for an informational
interview. These guidelines have been put together for you to follow.
Always proofread your letter, or better yet, have someone review it for
you. Do this before sending it out. Make sure to look for spelling,
grammar, and formatting errors. Some assistive technology products offer
features for looking for inconsistencies in the document. Consult your
product’s online resources for additional information.



The most common format is referred to as Block style. All information
should be left justified and single spaced. Use an easy-to-read font like
Times New Roman, Courier New, or Arial in 12-point font. Even better, try
to use the same font as your resume. Avoid using bold, italics, or
underline in your letter. Margins should be one inch all around. This is
the default on most word processing programs. In between sentences, it is
not necessary to press the spacebar twice. It is a good idea to skip one
line between paragraphs. It is not necessary to indent the first line of a
paragraph.


What to Include in the Document Sender’s Address

This information should be included unless you are using a letterhead that
already has the sender’s address.

·        Start at the top of the document

·        Include the street address, city, state and zip code

·        Do not include your name, title, email address, or web site (You
can place it in the body of the letter or beneath the closing signature)

·        Date

The date should follow the sender’s address. Skip one line after the
sender’s address. For companies in the United States, use a standard format:

·        Write out the name of the month, e.g., August

·        Use a numerical value for the day such as 12 followed by a comma

·        Finally, the year written out numerically as well

Example: 04/22/2019
Inside Address

The inside address is the recipient’s address and should come after the
sender’s address and date with one line in between. Ideally it is best to
write to a specific person. You can always research the organization online
to find a staff directory or a page describing the leadership team if you
are looking for a name.

·        First comes the person’s first and last name including their title

·        If known, use the appropriate title such as Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.

·        For women, if you are not sure which title they use, use Ms.

·        The next line should be the full name of the company

·        The next two lines should be the street address and city, state,
and zip code

·        Use the organization’s standard business address. It is preferable
to use the company's headquarters address rather than a satellite office

·        Write the city followed by a comma and the abbreviation for the
state and then the zip code

·        For international addresses, write out the name of the country in
all capital letters on the last line

Example:

Ms. Linda Melendez

National Federation of the Blind, New Jersey Affiliate

P.O. Box 185

Keyport, New Jersey 07735
Salutation

After typing the address, insert one line between the address and the
salutation.

·        Use the same title for the recipient as in the inside address plus
their last name

·        If you are unsure of the recipient’s gender, you can write out
their first and last name without a title

Example Chris Johnson or Pat McDonald

·        Only use first name if you are on a first name basis with the
person and only in exceptional cases

·        Pro tip: This should be avoided when possible. Keep it formal.

·        The name should be followed with a colon and not a comma

Example:

Dear Ms. Melendez:

Dear Pat McDonald:
Body

After you have created the salutation, skip one line before beginning the
body of the letter. It is important to keep the body of the letter concise
and on point. Do not write one large paragraph, instead break up the body
into three or more paragraphs. Remember to put a blank line in between each
paragraph for easier reading. It is not necessary to indent the paragraphs.



·        It is okay to be friendly but keep the tone formal and limit the
length of any friendly gestures

·        Do not write anything that would sound like an email to a friend,
a text message, or a post on social media

·        Be sure to give the reader a clear understanding of why you are
writing to them in the first paragraph

·        Identify the job title, job location if there are multiple job
sites, requisition number if available, and where you found the posting

·        If you are being referred for a position, be sure to include the
referring person’s name (the referring person may earn a monetary bonus for
the referral. So, it is imperative to mention them by name

·        The first paragraph should highlight why you are an excellent
candidate for the position identified

·        Use the second and third paragraphs to support your first
paragraph and be sure your support aligns with the job posting

·        The last paragraph should restate the intent of the letter
including a “call to action”

·        It is okay to insert your phone number, email address, and
availability for an interview
Closing

After the last sentence of the body paragraph, insert a blank line.

·        Capitalize the first word only and follow with a comma

·        Use conservative closings like Best regards, Thank you, or
Respectively

·        Do not use casual closings such as Later, Thanks, Cheers,
Cordially, or Warmly

Examples:

Thank you,

Best regards,

·        Skip four lines and type out your name

·        This allows you a space to sign the letter if it is printed

·        Optionally, you can include your contact information such as phone
number and email address
Enclosures

Note that this practice has been falling out of favor and you may want to
consider not including it in your cover letter. However, if you do want to
include it, follow this direction. If you are planning to include
additional documents, you can write Enclosures and optionally list them.

Skip one line after your closing and then type Enclosure



Write “Resume”

Write “References”

Write “Work Sample”



If you attach either of these enclosures with your cover letter, list them
as noted above.


*Why I Care More About Your Cover Letter Than Your Resume*

I’ve probably sorted through the materials of thousands of job applicants
over the years. Sometimes it’s for full-time work; sometimes I’m looking
for a contractor. Sometimes the position is challenging and complex;
sometimes the tasks are basic. But no matter what the nature of the hiring
may be, one thing remains the same: if your cover letter doesn’t impress, I
won’t even look at your resume. So, take your time and write a quality
letter.


Every job posting I’ve ever written has made it clear that I require a
cover letter. I even go so far as to tell them what I’m looking for in that
cover letter: an explanation of why their experience and skills makes them
a good fit for the opening. There should be no opportunity for confusion.


And yet sadly, if I had to guess, I’d say that more than 60% of applicants
don’t include a cover letter at all. Another 20% include a cover letter
that simply informs me they’ve attached their resume. Another 10% include a
cover letter that is clearly a template they use for any old job
application. Only 10% of the total applicant pool takes the time to
actually write a cover letter that answers the questions I’m asking. In
other words, the best candidates customize the cover letter for this
specific job at this specific company. I know that because they address why
they are a good fit, and they share their relevant experience. These
applicants may share information that demonstrates they have researched our
company and mention a tidbit or two about the company’s accomplishments or
goals for the coming year.


That means that 90% of the people who want me to hire them are not
submitting a cover letter that will help them secure an interview. Talk
about a terrible first impression.

If your cover letter leaves much (or everything) to be desired, I don’t
care if your resume is dozens of pages of awards and sheer greatness.
You’ve lost me. Why?

   - If your cover letter is nonexistent or messy and uninformative, I’m
   not sure I believe a word of your resume.
   - If you can’t follow simple instructions in the application process, I
   have little to no faith in your ability to take direction on the job.
   - If you cannot communicate why your experience and skills are relevant
   to the job, I’m not sure you understand what the position entails, or that
   your background brings all that much value to the table.
   - If your cover letter could be used to apply to anything, anywhere, it
   tells me that you didn’t care enough about the opportunity to convince me
   you’re the person for this specific job.
   - In the body of your cover letter, target one or two job requirements
   and state how your skills address those specific job requirements. As an
   example, “*Your requirement says you should have 4 years as a
   Photographer. *Write something like, “*I have worked as a Sports
   Photographer for 7 years documenting high school and college football,
   track, and basketball games with pictures that told a story*.”  Or “*I
   have provided photographs of my client’s weddings with the types of photos
   they told me they desired prior to their wedding date. I have done this for
   over 15 weddings successfully over the last 7 years.*”

A solid cover letter, on the other hand, makes me want to schedule an
interview immediately. In most cases. It can even help you overcome
deficiencies in your resume or a lack of experience. I would rather have a
determined, passionate individual with a strong work ethic on my team than
one with an Ivy League degree without tenacity every single time. Your
pedigree is not as important as your *ability* to do the work.

So, the next time you go to apply for a job, think about whether it’s one
you really want. If you do, take the time to write a custom cover letter
that will grab their attention and clearly articulate why you’re the
candidate they’ve been looking for all along. It may be the difference
between getting dismissed or landing the interview.


NOTE: The company doesn’t care as much as to why you *want* or *need* the
job – but they care more about *what you can do for the company*. How can
you increase revenue, decrease turnaround time, or solve their problem? So,
sell yourself as a problem solver that addresses their needs. That is more
likely to get you hired.
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