resume writing project and need support to help me learn.
This is a three part assignment. The first part will help you focus on what an employer needs by evaluating and deconstructed the job description. In the second part of this assignment you will leverage these insights and create a targeted cover letter designed to address these specific needs. How To Deconstruct a Job Description Template INT6200.pdf
Please review this attached document and upload your completed worksheet for this assignment.
As you complete this exercise consider how the information that you gather from this deep job description review will help you create a targeted cover letter.
Outline how your qualifications meet the employer’s needs
Choose two or three of your best qualifications and identify concrete examples to illustrate them
Outline how your skills, interests, and goals match those of the employer
Please review the Cover LetterLinks to an external site. resources included within this module and examples from the Employer Engagement and Career Design OfficeLinks to an external site.
Assignment: Cover Letter
The purpose of a cover letter is to summarize your relevant experience, to express interest in the position, and to demonstrate writing ability. The goal is to give employers enough information to want to meet you and interview you, without overwhelming them with every detail about your background and life.
Format
Follow standard business letter format. Use the same heading on your cover letter as you did on your resume
Don’t forget your email and phone, the date, the addressee’s name, and the addressee’s address (for this assignment you can make this up).
Use 11 or 12-pt, professional font and block formatting, and stay to one page.
Write “Enclosure” at the bottom to signify that your resume is included.
The Greeting
It’s important to research who will be reading your letter and address your letter to that person specifically.
Also, remember to use Ms. instead of Miss. or Mrs., and if you are unsure of the person’s gender, just list the first and last name (e.g. “Dear Taylor Benson:”).
Include a colon in your greeting instead of a comma for this formal occasion.
The Body
Your first paragraph should clearly state the job title you are applying for. Traditional cover letters explain why you are writing and how you found out about the job (e.g. a job ad, a job fair meeting, or the suggestion of someone you both know). The new generation of cover letters often begin by stating a need of the employer’s (following up with how you will meet it), promising a benefit to the reader, or referring to a recent piece of relevant news for the field/company.
The Final Paragraph
Should invite them to interview/contact you and offer a method of reaching you (phone, email…), or tell them you will be calling them by a certain time (usually a week). This is also place to give them any important details about next steps (if you will be in town and available to meet at a certain time, if they should use your home phone instead of work, etc).
Remember to thank them for considering your application or find another way to end on a note of goodwill. The Closing Include a valediction, and this should probably be formal (e.g. “Sincerely” or “Cordially” rather than “Thanks”).
Important note: for this assignment submission you must include three items: 1. the job description that you used, 2. the completed “How to Deconstruct a Job Descriptions Template” and 3. your customized cover letter. So there should be three items uploaded for full credit on this assignment. You can review the grading rubric for the cover letter below to better understand how this assignment will be evaluated. Again do not forget to include all 3 items.
Requirements: Please read each document carefully and complete the tasks as required.
1 Cover Letter Guide Anatomy of a Cover Letter A cover letter generally consists of three or four paragraphs and is always less than a page; very experienced candidates applying for senior positions may write more. The goal is to give employers enough information to want to meet you, without overwhelming them. Prepare • Research the employer to identify what about the organization or its products appeals to you • Review the job description in detail • List each type of experience and skill the employer is seeking • Outline how your qualifications meet the employer’s needs • Choose two or three of your best qualifications and identify concrete examples to illustrate them • Outline how your skills, interests, and goals match those of the employer. Focus on the positive. Note! Do not refer to qualifications that you lack! Salutation • Address your letter to a specific person whenever possible • Be sure of the correct spelling and appropriate title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.); you should not address the contact by their first name unless you know them personally • Avoid “To Whom It May Concern.” Acceptable alternatives include “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Search Committee” Note! Use the same heading on your cover letter as you did on your resume! First Paragraph Note! Since your name is at the bottom of the letter, you do not need to introduce yourself. Explain clearly and concisely why you are writing. State the full name of the position and how you learned about it, including the name of the person, publication or website and the date of the listing. This paragraph can be as simple as the following: • “I am writing to apply to the Special Events Assistant posted on NU Careers. I believe my skills and experience would enable me to excel in their position.” Some applicants prefer to begin this paragraph in a way they hope will grab the reader’s attention. This can be an effective technique if you know the personality of the organization or the individual receiving the letter, but it is risky if you don’t: • “Alpha Software’s commitment to innovative mobile application development resonates with me as a computer engineer with an interested in mobile technology.” • “As a recent Electrical Engineering graduate with a 3.9 GPA, I can offer your firm a mastery of the latest technologies…”
2 If you were referred by somebody: • “I’m writing to apply to the Public Relations Assistant position at PR Worldwide posted on NU Careers. After speaking with Arnold Warner, a former PR Assistant at PR Worldwide, I am confident my past experience and education make me a viable candidate for this position.” Second/Third Paragraph Write these paragraphs using the outline you prepared, tailoring your letter to the job. Do not repeat the content on your resume; instead use this space to explain the value that your experience would bring to the employer. Highlight experience relevant to that position and briefly describe concrete examples to match your qualifications to the job description: • “The research paper I wrote about the benefits Islamic banking would have on the U.S. economy required me to do extensive research of literary sources and interview experts in the field of finance. I am confident I could utilize these skills successfully as a Market Researcher at World Banking Inc.” Employers are interested in your motivation as well as your experience. Important! Be sure to explain why this job and this organization appeal to you and fit into your career goals. Demonstrate that you have researched the organization by referring to company products, services, philosophy or mission in your explanation of why you are a good match: • “Boston Pharmaceuticals’ cancer vaccine has revolutionized preventative medicine. One of my most important career goals is to help bring cutting-edge health care products to doctors and patients, which is why I would be proud to work for your organization.” Note! Sometimes a resume leaves questions in the employer’s mind, for example, about periods of unemployment or reasons for a career change or relocation. These questions may be serious enough to prevent you from getting an interview, so it is usually best to address them directly: • “I resigned from my last position six months ago in order to care for an ailing family member. I am now ready to recommit myself full time to my career.” • “Although I currently live in Boston, I am preparing to relocate to the San Diego area in order to be closer to my family.” Note! Do not point out qualifications/experience listed in the job description that you may not have. Focus and highlight the relevant experience you do have and your motivation for applying to that particular position. Last Paragraph • The closing paragraph can be short and simple. • Stress your enthusiasm for the position and your interest in meeting for an interview. • State how and when you can best be contacted. • Thank the individual and end with an appropriate closing: “I am eager to discuss with you the kind of contributions I can make to Zephyr Advertising as an Account Representative. Feel free to contact me at 123-456-7890 or jobseeker@yahoo.com. Thank you for your kind attention to my application; I look forward to hearing from you.”
Northeastern University College of Professional Studies INT 6200 Name Date How to Deconstruct a Job Posting- Worksheet Understanding exactly what an employer is looking for will help your application stand out. Customizing your application to the specific requirements listed shows that you’ve given thought to the job posting and can articulate why or how you are a good fit for the position. Complete this worksheet for each Job Posting that that appeals to you. Be honest and candid in your self-assessment. This exercise will help you to construct a position specific resume and cover letter. Step I: Record the job posting and description Job Title Employer / Organization Name of Position You can also copy and paste them into a Word document saved on your desktop. The idea is to keep them in a convenient, separate place. Step 2: Identify the requirements listed Identify the required qualifications, skills and abilities listed in the posting or job description. You might find it helpful to use a highlighter to mark these in different colors. Required qualifications could include: ¥ Specific educational requirements (e.g. Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, specific diploma) ¥ Specific experience (e.g. experience with EXCEL, familiar with a lab environment) ¥ Specific licenses, courses or certifications (e.g. training in sales or project management) Employers often list the most important qualifications higher in the posting! Read the posting carefully. Don’t minimize areas that you perceive to be less important. Required Qualifications How do you meet the criteria?
Required skills and abilities (competencies) could include: ¥ Strong communication skills ¥ Ability to work with minimal supervision ¥ Efficient at problem-solving and troubleshooting Skills, abilities and duties How do you meet the criteria? Step 3: Identify how you match the criteria Now, consider your background, skills and experience and write down how you meet each of the criteria. Highlight these matches as you develop your resume. In your cover letter, focus on your key qualifications and strengths relative to the posting. For positions with long lists of qualifications or skills, identify categories and match your skills to that broader category. Don’t worry if you don’t have experience in every area but aim to meet a minimum of 75% of the requirements. Showcase your competencies and demonstrate that you have thought about the job posting and how you are a good fit for the position.
job description
