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It is designed to help you get started writing your own cover letter. Career Connections is available to review and discuss cover letters in one-on-one appointments. Email Career Connections at careerconnections@sou. edu to set up a time to talk.  \nWhat is a Cover Letter?  \nThe cover letter is a marketing tool – often one of the first things that a recruiter sees about you. Its purpose is to advertise you well enough to secure an interview.  \nIt represents you – your passion, energy, accomplishments, individuality and professionalism within the context of the job to which you are applying. If you are applying for a position to be a research assistant for a professor, you might emphasize course work, grades, class papers you’ve written, interest in the subject, and your ability to work independently and learn fast. If you are applying for a position as a tutor to grade school students, you might emphasize attributes that include previous experience working with children, examples of your creativity, love of learning, academic background and patience.  \nAre Cover Letters Important?  \nDo employers read cover letters? Most do. In fact, a survey of nearly 600 employment professionals, conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), suggests some 76% of employers may automatically eliminate an employment candidate from any further hiring consideration, based solely on the quality of his or her cover letter alone.  \nFurther, 43% of survey respondents also reported they view the cover letter as equal to the resume in importance. Candidates can be eliminated because of their cover letters for reasons that include typos; letters that are too generic (for example, lines such as,“I am an excellent candidate and want to work at your fine company because of its outstanding reputation”); a lack of understanding about the position and poor grammar.  \nBefore Writing Your Cover Letter, You Should  \n• Do your research on the industry, field, company/ organization, and the job itself so you fully understand what the employer is seeking.  \n• Think like an employer—what qualities would you seek inan employee and how do your experiences reflect them? You can find hints: carefully read the job description, research the company/organization, go to company info sessions, and conduct informational interviews with individuals working in the field.  \n• Remember that you can include classes, class papers (just don’t call them publications if they weren’t published), hobbies, volunteer work and interests.  \n• As yourself the following questions:  \n• What qualifications does the employer want? Read through a job description of interest and underline the attributes. These qualities are usually clear; in some positions or industries, however, the descriptions are vague. (This is where research and informational interviews come in handy.)  \n• How does your experience relate to the job? What are at least two specific accomplishments you can cite?  \nStevenson Union [310 | 541-552-8820 |](310 | 541-552-8820 | careerconnections@sou.edu)[ ](310 | 541-552-8820 | careerconnections@sou.edu)[careerconnections@sou.edu](310 | 541-552-8820 | careerconnections@sou.edu)  \n• What are three qualities or experiences you want the employer to know about you?  \n• Why do you want to work for this organization or person? What do you know about them? (Look for something deeper than their being an “excellent”company.) Is there something specific about their services, product, philosophy you can express?  \nTo Craft a Successful Cover Letter, You Should  \n• Write your letter in a conversational/natural, albeit deferential, style. Stilted prose is not effective.  \n• Show enthusiasm for your work and the position.  \n• Establish your credentials early; give specific examples.  \n• Give them one or two compelling reasons to interview you.  \n• Run spell-chec","cbCaisJAiTTdxlf8","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaisJAiTTdxlf8","pdf",697605,7,"English","# What is a Cover Letter?\n# Are Cover Letters Important?\n# Before Writing Your Cover Letter, You Should\n## Online Protocol\n# To Craft a Successful Cover Letter, You Should\n# Cover Letter Format\n## First Paragraph\n## Second (and Occasionally Third) Paragraph\n## Final Paragraph\n# Sample Cover Letter 1","[{\"question\":\"What is the purpose of a cover letter in a job application?\",\"answer\":\"A cover letter serves as a marketing tool that recruiters often see early. 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