Faculty of MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COVER LETTER AUTHORS: Julianna Pancek, 203504 Ma...
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Faculty of MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
COVER LETTER
AUTHORS:
TUTOR:
Julianna Pancek, 203504
dr inż. Krzysztof Kędzia
Magdalena Żuk, 205222 Paulina Kowalczyk, 199840
I.
Purpose of a cover letter
1.
Serve as a business transmittal letter for resume.
2.
Introduce you and your employment credentials to the employer.
3.
Generate employer interest in interviewing you.
II.
Standard components of the Cover Letter (in the order in which they are positioned in the letter) •
Return address
•
Date
•
Address
•
Salutation
•
Body
•
Complimentary closing
•
Signature
•
Typist identification - initials of the person typing the letter, flush with the left margin, two lines below the signature block, typed in lowercase
•
Enclosure line
Usage of various types of complimentary closings
III.
Acceptable Letter Formats
Percent Used of type od Cover Letter formats
a. Full Block Format All components are completely flush with the left margin of the letter. It looks very uniform, structured, formal, and business-like. It suggests to the reader that the author is likewise an organized and structured person.
b. Block and Modified Block Format Block and modified block formats are substantially similar. The only difference between the block and the modified block is that the modified block provides for indentation of paragraphs. The return address, datelines, complimentary closing and signature lines are indented and flush with the right margin of the letter.
IV.
Characteristics of good cover letters 1.
An “interest-generating” first paragraph that grabs the reader’s attention.
2.
A “value-selling” paragraph that focuses on employer needs and demonstrates the ability to solve key problems and drive desired strategic change.
3.
A
“background
summary”
paragraph
that
highlights
relevant
education and experience. 4.
An “action-compelling” statement that either compels or ensures follow-up action.
5.
V.
A statement of appreciation.
Characteristics of bad cover letters 1.
Poor overall appearance.
2.
Poor grammar, punctuation, and misspelled words.
3.
Rambling—lack of focus (can suggest that the author is unfocused and generally disorganized).
4.
Self-focused versus employer-focused.
5.
Bland, boring text (suggest that the author lacks creativity and resourcefulness).
6.
Gross exaggeration—bragging (overuse of superlatives, impression of insincerity).
7.
Aggressive, pushy tone.
8.
Self-deprecation.
VI.
Preparation for writing an effective cover letter a. Job Target Analysis •
What are the key functions performed or managed by this position
•
What are the key ongoing functional accountabilities of this position (i.e., the key results expected for each function)
•
What are the key problems that must be solved to achieve these functional results
•
What specialized or technical knowledge is required to solve these problems and achieve the expected functional results
b. Self-Analysis •
Examine your formal education, additional training courses or seminars and professional experience to determine how well your specialized knowledge compares to the knowledge requirements of your targeted job.
•
The employer want to see behavioural evidence of your ability to achieve favourable results in areas which are relevant to successful job performance.
c. Qualifications Comparison •
Determine where your qualifications and the requirements of the target position overlap.
•
Determine the functional priorities of target companies.
•
Allow you to select those achievements having greatest positive impact on these functional priorities.
VII.
Qualifications Analysis •
Of the various functions for which your target position is responsible which are probably the most important from the standpoint of overall organizational success
•
What are the desired functional results required for overall organizational success for each of the previously listed priority functions
•
Using the self-analysis data previously developed, list the most significant results you have achieved that correspond to the desired functional results listed in previous question
VIII.
Cover Letter Exclusions
•
Explanation for job search if separation from last employer was the result of a layoff or company downsizing program.
•
Explanation of employment gaps (unless there is an acceptable reason for them).
•
Salary history or requirements (unless specifically asked by the employer to furnish this information)
•
Explanations for job hopping
•
Experience and educational deficit
IX.
Summary •
Get off to a direct start
•
Offer something different than what's in your resume
•
Use keywords
•
Focus on activities and responsibilities
•
Sell yourself
•
Show your knowledge of the company
•
Edit, edit, edit
Sources 1.
R.H. Beatty, The Perfect Cover Letter, III,IV,V. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2004.
2.
K. Moustafa, Does the Cover Letter Really Matter? Sci. Eng. Ethics, 2015, Vol. 21(4), p. 839-841.
3.
J.R. Yates, The Cover Letter, J. Proteome Res., 2017, Vol. 16(2), p. 367–367
