Boston University Questrom School of Business Graduate...

Boston University Questrom School of Business

Graduate Academic & Career Development Center

2 Boston University Questrom School of Business


COVER LETTER CONTENT

“I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one

instead.”- Mark Twain



PURPOSE OF A COVER LETTE

► “ ” your resume by highlighting how well your

qualifications meet their needs;

► Convince the reader of your for what you do, for

their organization, and for their product and/or service; and

► Indicate that you will clearly to their organization.

“Ask not what a company can do for you…

ask what you can do for a company.”



DECONSTRUCTING THE JOB DESCRIPTION

Deconstruct the job posting:

Review the day-to-day job and select those

areas where you will add .

Determine which are

your strong suit, and how you will present them in a

compelling fashion.

Do not mention any of your in the

cover letter but be prepared to discuss them in an

interview, and how you will compensate.



HEADER & SALUTATION

HEADER

SALUTATION

► The header should be identical to your resume, creating a professional stationery

look to your marketing material and firmly supporting your personal brand.

► A formal salutation should be used when you have all or some of the necessary

contact information. When that information is unknown, use “Dear Hiring Executive”.



TRADITIONAL COVER LETTER

Header identical to your resume

Salutation

Intent; experience or connections with the company; passion

Relevant skills matched to position, key examples of accomplishments

Closing

SEE APPENDIX FOR SAMPLES



OPENING PARAGRAPH

► Quickly establish the reason for writing (job application) and the position of interest.

► Connections or experience with the company (CRITICAL!).

names of people you have spoken with in the company

products or services you use or others have told you about

articles you read written by staff members

speeches you heard delivered at meetings or conventions or on their YouTube channel

► Directly relevant experience and especially passion.

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MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S)

► Relevant and necessary skills clearly presented.

► Match skills with requirements for position.

► Key examples of accomplishments to quantify value-added and potential for return on investment by joining the company.

► Lessons learned or knowledge gained from experience.

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CLOSING PARAGRAPH

► Reiterate passion for opportunity and work.

► Reiterate overall qualifications.

► Request for follow-up to provide additional information.

► Reminder of preferred contact method.

► Thank you.

10




‘T’ COVER LETTER


Salutation

Intent, experience or connections with the company, passion

2-Column table: “Your Needs” on left, “My Qualifications” on right

ClosingSEE APPENDIX FOR

SAMPLES



► Pre-qualify your resume by showing how their needs will be met by your qualifications.

► Select the top 3 or 4 needs from their Requirements list that match your qualifications.

► Align each of their Needs with your related Qualifications.

► Use their language exactly (or abbreviated) as posted. Include quotation marks to indicate these are their specific requests.

QUALIFICATIONS TABLE

‘T’ COVER LETTER



PROSPECTING LETTER


Salutation

Intent, show understanding of business needs, passion

Relevant skills matched to position, key examples of accomplishments

Closing

SEE APPENDIX FOR SAMPLES

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Used when there are no known openings at a company of interest. The letter establishes your knowledge of the business and theirchallenges, and how you can add value. The intent is to create enough interest for them to follow-up for a conversation and exploration.



OPENING & MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S)

► Quickly establish the reason for writing (to have an informational interview), indicating interest in the company and product/services, and your current situation.

► Clearly communicate you understand their business and how you have the ability to contribute value to their organization.

► Provide examples of directly relevant skills and especially passion.

► Key examples of accomplishments to quantify value-added and potential for return on investment.

PROSPECTING LETTER



Q & A



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