The second paragraph identifies the product you and your skills and begins to convince the company to hire you. Your purpose in paragraph 2 is to create interest in examining your background further.
The third and possibly the fourth, paragraph gives evidence of your potential value to the firm. Here is where you discuss the benefits the company would derive from hiring you. A reader-oriented approach is important in this part of the letter. In addition, some reference to your attached resume should appear here.
This section of the letter provides you with a chance to emphasize what you want to emphasize. Your goal is to convince the reader that you can satisfy the need that the company has for a new employee. Dont go too far and outwardly boast about your skills and abilities. However, do present a businesslike and objective description of what you can do.
Example 1: My challenging education at The Ohio State University and my work experience will allow me to be effective and productive at Intercom, Inc. I can perform the required accounting functions as you expand operations to a new computerized system. My knowledge of hardware and software is compatible with your needs, as indicated on my enclosed resume.
Example 2: My education has already helped me to apply my skills and knowledge to a business setting. As a summer intern at a local accounting firm, I assisted in audits and handled numerous challenges that developed with cost procedures. I would like to put my skills to work for you. A more detailed description of my duties in this internship and my other work experience are shown on my attached resume.
Example 3: At this stage of my career, I want to put my accounting experience to work at a large, private accounting firm. My accounting background, shown on my enclosed resume, would make me a valuable asset to Summers and White. I could also put my knowledge of computers and software to work to enhance accounting procedures. I especially want to work for Summers and White because of its national reputation as a highly respected accounting firm.
Ask for action.
The final paragraph is where you ask for action. Remember, though, the action you request is for the employer to read the resume and to grant an interview. That initial interview can take place at the companys local office or at the placement office of your college or university.
In your closing paragraph, be specific. Ask for an interview. Several examples of closing paragraphs follow that are specific. However, they still respect the readers right to make a decision about whether he or she wished to grant the interview:
Example 1: May I have an interview? I will call your office next week to see if we can arrange a convenient time. If you wish to arrange a time before then, you can call me at 698-3457.
Example 2: After reading my resume and examining my qualifications, I hope that you will be interested in talking with me further about an opportunity to work in your organization. Before May 20, please call me at my campus number (417) 836-8475. After May 20, you can reach me at (502) 357-1278.
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RESUME WRITING
1.You will have to answer the following questions before you can decide what kind of job you wish to apply for. Use the material of the previous exercises:
Who am I?
What do I like to do?
What skills do I have?
What kind of work have I done?
Complete the following self-assessment exercise. It will help you
Evaluate what kind of job you might pursue in the future.
1. My personality characteristics are:______________________________
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2. My skills are:______________________________________________
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2. My interests are: ___________________________________________
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3. My best subjects are: _______________________________________
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4. My work experience has given me the following skills: ____________
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5. My values include:_________________________________________
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ADDITIONAL WRITING TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR RESUME
1. Read the text:
