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| Alum Success |
Leslie Machado
LSSU Chemistry Major
PhD in
chemistry at Johns Hopkins University
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Career Advisory Network at Lake State (CANaLS)
Cover Letters
Tips for Using Different Types of Cover Letters
Letter of Application: |
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Use when applying for a job that you know is available |
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Must be written individually for each employer |
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Should be short and to the point - one page only |
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Be specific about the job for which you are applying |
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Never send a cover letter "To Whom It May Concern", "Dear Sir," or "Dear Madam" |
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Should always be addressed to an individual, or the specificed contact in an advertisement |
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If you know the name of the company, call and ask to whom you should address your letter. Be sure to have the correct spelling of the individual's name |
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Error-free, and well-typed in a preferred business style |
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If you are not good at writing letters, get help with structure and spelling |
Letter of Inquiry: |
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Use when you are unaware of job openings and wish to inquire about possible vacancies |
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Follow the same rules and suggestions as above |
Blind Ad Response: |
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Use when responding to a job posting in which the employer is unidentified (i.e., newspaper ad in which responses are sent to a box number) |
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Use a subject line |
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Name the position you are applying for in the first paragraph |
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Make sure you explain fully how your qualifications match those the employer has stated as minimal requirements in the advertisement. Be specific; give examples which show that your experience is related to what they want. |
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Be prepared not to receive a response to this method of job application |
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