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The preliminary application for a professional position generally consists of two documents: a cover letter and a resume. This handout describes the cover letter; the resume is described in a separate Writing Center handout.

While the resume is a somewhat generic advertisement for yourself, the cover letter allows you to tailor your application to each specific job. Although the thrust of your various letters may remain the same, with the assorted text-processing options available that include find-and-replace and merging capabilities there is really no reason to have a single, generic cover letter.

Overview
Effective cover letters are constructed with close attention to

Purpose
Audience
Content
Format
Examples: cover letter 1, cover letter 2

Purpose
Your cover letter and resume usually provide all the information which a prospective employer will use to decide whether or not you will reach the next phase in the application process: the interview.

While your goal is an interview and, ultimately, a job offer, the more immediate purpose of your cover letter in some cases may simply be to gain an attentive audience for your resume.

Audience
A cover letter provides, in a very real sense, an opportunity to let your prospective employer hear your voice. It reflects your personality, your attention to detail, your communication skills, your enthusiasm, your intellect, and your specific interest in the company to which you are sending the letter.

Therefore, c over letters should be tailored to each specific company you are applying to. You should conduct enough research to know the interests, needs, values, and goals of each company, and your letters should reflect that knowledge.

Content
A cover letter should be addressed to the specific company and the specific individual who will process your application. You can usually find this through research or simply by calling the company to find out who you should address your letter to.

The letter should name the position for which you are applying and also make specific references to the company. Indicate your knowledge of and interest in the work the company is currently doing, and your qualification for the position. You want the reader to know:

why you want to work at that specific company,
why you fit with that company
how you qualify for the position to which you applying.

In addition to tailoring your application to a specific job with a specific company , the cover letter should also

highlight the most important and relevant accomplishments, skills, and experience listed in your resume
point to the resume in some way (as detailed in the enclosed resume”)
request specific follow up, such as an interview.

Format
A cover letter should be in paragraph form (save bulleted lists for your resume) with a conversational, though formal, tone.

The first paragraph should be brief, perhaps two or three sentences, stating

what job you are applying for and how you learned about it
any personal contacts you have in or with the company
your general qualifications for the job.

The body of your letter should consist of one to three longer paragraphs in which you expand upon your qualifications for the position. Pick out the most relevant qualifications listed in your resume and discuss them in detail, demonstrating how your background and experience qualify you for the job. Be as specific as possible, and refer the reader to your resume for additional details.

The concluding paragraph of your letter should request an interview (or some other response, as appropriate). State where and when you can be reached, and express your willingness to come to an interview or supply further information. Close by thanking your reader for his or her time and consideration.

Example: Cover Letter 1
34 Second Street
Troy, New York 12180
October 4, 2001

Ms. Gail Roberts
Recruiting Coordinator
Department DRR 1201
Database Corporation
Princeton, New Jersey 05876

Dear Ms. Roberts:

Your advertisement for software engineers in the January issue of the IEEE Spectrum caught my attention. I was drawn to the ad by my strong interest in both software design and Database.

I have worked with a CALMA system in developing VLSI circuits, and I also have substantial experience in the design of interactive CAD software. Because of this experience, I can make a direct and immediate contribution to your department. I have enclosed a copy of my resume, which details my qualifications and suggests how I might be of service to Database.

I would like very much to meet with you to discuss your open positions for software engineers. If you wish to arrange an interview, please contact me at the above address or by telephone at (555) 271-9999.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Joseph Smith


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Example: Cover Letter 2
1234 15th Street
Troy, New York 12180
January 30, 2002

Mr. John M. Curtis
Recruiting Coordinator
HAL Corporation
55 Washington Avenue
New York, New York 10081

Dear Mr. Curtis:

As an experienced computer programmer who is presently pursuing a master’s degree in electrical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, I am writing to request information about possible summer employment opportunities with HAL. I am interested in a position that will allow me to combine the talents I have developed in both computer programming and electrical engineering. However, as you can see from the attached resume, I have extensive experience in many related fields, and I always enjoy new challenges.

I feel that it is important for me to maintain a practical, real-world perspective while developing my academic abilities. I am proud of the fact that I have financed my entire education through scholarships and summer jobs related to my field of study. This work experience has enhanced my appreciation for the education I am pursuing. I find that I learn as much from my summer jobs as I do from my academic studies. For example, during the summer of 1986, while working for IBM in Boca Raton, Florida, I gained a great deal of practical experience in the field of electronic circuit logic and driver design. When I returned to school in the fall and took Computer Hardware Design, I found that my experience with IBM had thoroughly prepared me for the subject.

Having said all this, I realize that your first consideration in hiring an applicant must not be the potential educational experience HAL can provide, but the skills and services the applicant has to offer. I hope the experience and education described in my resume suggest how I might be of service to HAL.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss with you how I might best assist HAL in fulfilling its present corporate needs. I will be available for employment from May 14 through August 31, 2002. Please let me know what summer employment opportunities are available at HAL for someone with my education, experience, and interests. You can reach me at the above address or by phone at (518) 271-0000.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Joan Doe

Earlier this year, the President also announced a series of executive actions to help get veterans back to work.

My Next Move for Veterans: The Department of Labor has launched My Next Move for Veterans, a new online resource that allows veterans to enter their military occupation code and discover civilian occupations for which they are well qualified. The site also includes information about salaries, apprenticeships, and other related education and training programs.

Creating a Veterans Job Bank: The Administration launched the Veterans Job Bank, at National Resource Directory, an easy to use tool to help veterans find job postings from companies looking to hire them. It already searches over one million job postings and is growing. In a few easy steps, companies can make sure the job postings on their own websites are part of this Veterans Job Bank. These resources can be accessed at www.whitehouse.gov/vets

Joining Forces: In August, the President challenged the private sector to hire or train 100,000 veterans or military spouses by the end of 2013. The President also asked First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to lead these efforts with the private sector as part of their Joining Forces initiative. In just over 100 days, more than 1,500 private sector companies have stepped up and already employed more than 18,000 veterans and spouses. In addition, these private sector companies have committed to hiring 135,000 veterans and spouses by the end of 2013, exceeding the President’s challenge. Also included in these private sector employment efforts is a dedicated commitment to hire 5,000 wounded warriors.

Challenging Community Health Centers to Hire 8,000 Veterans in Three Years: The Obama Administration challenged Community Health Centers to hire 8,000 veterans – approximately one veteran per health center site – over the next three years. The health reform law provides funding for community health centers to serve more Americans and hire more workers. The National Association of Community Health Centers will also contribute to this effort and joined the Administration in announcing this Community Health Center Veterans Hiring Challenge.

With the influx of government money to stimulate the growth of alternative energy and renewable power sources, green energy careers are on the rise but some special training in solar energy or other renewable energy sources will be necessary. However, there are plenty of government financial aid programs for both students and even unemployment benefits for retraining those people who have faced layoffs for whatever reason, all set aside for training people in the use and development and even the installation of solar energy panels, power inverters and other necessities for integrating renewable energy sources into existing power supplies. Green energy careers are going to be available within the government jobs as well. Already there is a green energy czar whose task it is to create more dependence on renewable energy sources and less dependence on foreign oil.

The latest pay scale salaries are out and “Federal employees now earn higher average salaries than private-sector workers” according to a new USA Today news article. The news source stated that “more than 8 out of 10 occupations”, are earning higher than average salaries including: accountants, nurses, chemists, surveyors, cooks, clerks and janitors which are among the wide range of jobs that get paid more on in the federal government than in the private sector.

Right now every government sector is hiring all over the country and now is the best time in years to make your transition into Federal employment. If you are considering a career change, or would like to advance your current Federal career then give us a call or contact us to help you get started today!!!

~Hiring Hand Staff

Recently, Hiring Hand has seen a surge in government agencies asking us to present to employees who have been stagnant in their careers. This has included individuals who have not been promoted or are having a hard time finding ways in which to move through the ranks.

Ryan Wilson (Lead Career Adviser and founder of Hiring Hand) has given many presentations to various government agencies throughout the country helping many individuals change their career goals and help them advance within their agencies. During his last conference he noted that moving up within your organization is about “getting out of your comfort zone”. He stated that “many people simply become content and lazy within their jobs. They simply are afraid in many cases to take on a new environment, supervisor, or set of tasks”. He then goes to explain to many how they can fill gaps within their resumes by taking on projects, tasks, or assignments that will give them that extra edge when applying for jobs within. Many already have an small advantage of being in the Federal system to begin with. They simply need to take advantage of the fact they know the process and utilize it to the best of their ability.

To schedule a customized work shop for your agency or group contact us.

~Staff Hiring Hand

This question comes up many times with clients. The simple fact is the more time you spend looking for employment the higher your chance of finding a job.

It is suggested that you should treat job hunting like a full time job. This means that you could easily spend 8 hours a days looking, researching and applying for positions. These tasks may include calling recruiters, writing various versions of your resume or simply applying for jobs online.

For many this concept can be frustrating, but for those that are willing to put the time and effort into job hunting many find that they are much more successful than those who simply put minimal effort into their search.

For simple techniques on how to search the web or look for specific federal jobs on USAJOBS.com e-mail us to set up a one hour consultation to help you get started on finding the perfect job!!!

~Staff @ Hiring Hand

Are you confused about where to even start with the federal application process? You are not alone.

Let the staff here at Hiring Hand help clear some of the confusion regarding the application process. We have experts with years of experience to help you understand the complete process from searching for the right job to applying for the job of your dreams. We also can provide you with the appropriate tools to make your application stand out among the rest.

With years of knowledge working in the federal sector you will not find a more experienced and eager group of people ready to help you find your dream job!!!

Contact Us today!
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Are you willing to be flexible when looking for a job? With thousands of federal jobs available throughout the nation, your chances of landing that perfect job jump exponentially when you are able to relocate. This can be a great way to jump start your career, or get yourself out of a rut. So, give it a shot, be brave and try looking without the restriction of location in mind.

If you are military, prior military or simply looking for necessary government forms such as the SF-15, OF-306 or other forms check out this link for downloadable government forms. This is a great source for anyone trying to find all government forms required for federal applications.

View forms here: http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp

Staff – Hiring Hand

The Federal hiring process can be along and arduous process. If you are applying for multiple federal positions be patient. In my experience the turn around time is around 2 months. That means from the time you submit your application to the time you expect to get a firm acceptance from the Human Resources staff can be around 2 months.

This is not the case in every department out there, but in most cases the process must go through several hiring individuals before a final determination can be reached. While this can be frustrating it is good to keep track of every job you apply for. This way, when you receive a call for an interview a month or two down the road you can simply pull your job description for that particular position and be ready to interview.

If you don’t have a job description, or can’t remember what job you applied for, simply ask the individual offering the interview for an updated job description via email, or an updated website URL. This will enable you to do your research prior to the interview and gain valuable knowledge when asked specific questions.

For more tips on interviewing and other helpful techniques visit our website our contact us.

As always, best of luck to everyone in your career adventures.

Staff – www.hiringhand.net