They called me out within the first paragraph about not addressing a cover letter to whom it may concern. I find it’s harder than a lot of people think to find information about who is hiring people in a company. Or could you address it as “Dear Hiring Team at Company X…” Writing it in block business letter format is necessary. It should be no more than 1 page long with a font size between 10 and 12 in times new roman. I can also add skills here that I may not have been able to add to my resume. Cover letter is not about me, it’s about what I can do for the employer. Make sure to mention the job I am applying for in the first sentence. Use the AIDA format for this as well. Talk about skills first and then how good of a person/employee you’d be. The action would be calling and checking in on the application to make sure people received it. Being descriptive and using specific examples/language can be helpful here and should be done to show the employers what I am capable of. Cover letter is NOT about me it’s about what I can do for the employer.
The biggest takeaway is the AIDA model— First comes the grab-at-“attention” opening. Then follows a spark of “interest”, in getting them to read on to learn more about your skills and how they fit the company’s needs. Next, a good cover letter should build “desire”, to show the hiring manager how one can address their problems. And last, it should finish with a clear call to action: prompt them to take that next step. IE— Cover letters have multiple purposes— to inform the employer about your relevant experience and qualifications— and to show them who you are and express eagerness for the job. Not by rambling about personal interests, but how “you” as a person will not just “fit in”, but actively “improve” the workplace energy.
In your professional life cover letters and resumes are one of the most important documents you will write. It is the difference between getting a job or not. One of the first things you want to think about when writing a cover letter is how to format it. You will show your employer you know what you’re doing by writing in block business-letter format. Ideally, it should be no longer than a page long and written in 12 pt times new roman with sentences written short and punchy. Also another main thing to remember is that “the cover letter isn’t about you; it’s about what you can do for the employer”.
You should be writing using the AIDA approach. Which is attention, interest, desire, and action. This will ensure you will create an impression in a sea of letters. Within the first paragraph you will need to indicate what job you will be applying for. You could spark attention by connecting yourself to the company, ex) if you know someone who works there. Within the interest section you will mention jobs and experience that relate to the job. In the desire section you will have to realize that many of the other candidates have the same experiences as you and you will want to focus on pathos within this section. Finally, in the final part you should create action. In this section you will want to make sure their employers know that you are available at any time to meet and if you have the opportunity email them a week after sending the letter checking if they got it. Using this system is the best chance of having a strong cover letter.
One of the first big points that I took from this chapter is that the appearance of documents like cover letters and resumes are incredibly important. When employers are going through candidates, they are moving very quickly. This means that obvious spelling and grammar errors, including names of potential supervisors, are some of the first things that employers look for when finding a candidate. Spelling and grammar errors display a poor attention to detail, and portray a sense of carelessness about the job being applied for. Letters and resumes with spelling and grammar errors, or those that are hard to read due to poor format, will be the first to be tossed during decision making processes.
Another big piece that I took from this chapter was the use of the AIDA model for writing cover letters. A cover letter is a persuasive piece at its core, as its goal is to persuade an employer to give you a chance for an interview. The AIDA model outlines the way that your argument should be laid out, first grabbing attention by describing your interest in the job, then appealing to the employers interests by applying personal career experiences to points listed in a job description, creating applicant desire by explaining what makes you, personally, the best candidate for the job, and prompting action by telling the employer that you look forward to meeting with them.
A final important point from this chapter is to avoid generic language in cover letters. While a resume is a place to list your accomplishments, a cover letter’s focus is to apply this experience to points listed in the job description, showing how your specific skills and experience will be helpful to the employer. While giving adjectives to describe yourself is useful in resumes, a cover letter is the place to back it up with evidence, pulling from specific examples that show core skills that can be used at the job being applied for.
In chapter five we learn about writing compelling cover letters, so it stands to reason that the big ideas in this chapter are how to make your cover letter as effective as possible in making you seem like an attractive applicant. This is the case, because in my estimation the two biggest takeaways from chapter five are a reemphasis on the importance of using AIDA, and how cover letters should be formatted to boost how appealing your application is to a potential employer.
To the first point, the textbook wants to really hammer into your head how powerful the AIDA format can be in persuading someone of something. In a cover letter you are hoping that you will be able to persuade a potential employer that they should interview you, therefore using AIDA can help generate the momentum that you need to get an interview slot.
The second big idea of the chapter is regarding formatting your cover letters. The chapter stresses the importance of making the cover letter about your employer more than about yourself and giving them reasons to be interested in what you have to offer their company.
One important point in this chapter that someone should know about is who to address your cover letter to. Instead of using “dear sir or madam” or “to whom it may concern.” I am guilty of this myself because I use “dear sir/ma’am” in my cover letter. However, from this chapter I learned that it is better to find the name of the person that my application is being sent to. Another key piece that sticks out to me about the cover letter that can be useful is that it is not about me, it is about what I can do for the employer. That means use “you” centered sentences instead of “me” centered ones. Another important point in this chapter is using AIDA to help with the structure of your cover letter. First by getting their attention, then creating interest, then desire, and lastly taking action. Getting their attention and creating interest can be done by giving specific details about your qualifications and work experience. Creating desire can be done by presenting yourself as a hard worker who communicates well and is detail oriented. Action can be taken by asking for a meeting and showing that you are eager to have an interview with the employer. These two big points from this chapter can be beneficial in helping an individual with creating a cover letter and resume by acting like building blocks for success.
This chapter discussed how to write a strong Cover Letter and some tips and tricks when applying for jobs. To start off, the quality and care put into your writing reflects your character, and education, and can often be the first impression on someone. Take time to use the correct format, double-check spelling and grammar show attention to detail, and literacy, the basics that employers look for. It’s important to remember a cover letter is about what you can do for the employer like you’re trying to persuade them. After correcting small errors, a good letter should be concise with lots of details to show your best character and highlight the best qualifications. This is where prior research may come in handy when incorporating details. Knowing the company language and goals can help personalize your application and produce a more convincing application. These skills are part of a process called AIDA which structures a letter by using the attention, interest, desire, and action of the potential employer. Furthermore, when incorporating details, the information should be direct and specific. If an employer is looking for a wide range of skill sets, taking time to develop and create a visual image of your skills and qualifications throughout the letter is crucial. My favorite quote from this chapter is by “Getting the small details right in your application…You tell the employer you’ll probably get the details right on the job, too”
One important point I found in this chapter is that you should get familiar with the hiring process, along with the company/organization that you are specifically applying for. Having an understanding of how employers go through applications will help you write/revise your cover letter or resume. Employers have to go through thousands of applications and want to get through as many as they can in a short span of time. Some automatic red flags that will most likely put you in the “reject” pile are spelling, grammar, or even formatting mistakes. Ensuring that you double, triple, or quadruple check for these things is crucial to even be considered for the job. Catering your cover letter to the job description can also help you, as there are usually keywords that employers are looking out for.
Another important point I picked up was to really drive home the point that your writing is an extension and reflection of yourself in the professional world. While you may be an excellent, qualified worker, poor attention to detail in your writing does not paint the picture you want of yourself to employers. First impressions are key, and you only get one chance to do so. Using the eight C’s, appropriate format, and the AIDA approach are all tools you can use to write successful cover letters and resumes.
The things I want to discuss from this section of reading all center around the idea that “The cover letter isn’t about you; it’s about what you can do for the employer.” This chapter talked extensively about how to use AIDA in your cover letter to be a more appealing candidate (grab attention, create interest and desire, then call to action). Each element was broken down into examples, all of which made the applicant look better and showed the company exactly what that person could do for them, For example, in interest and desire, be specific about things like what tech platforms you’re trained in, exactly how many people you supervised in previous roles, etc. Adding this information and following other instructions from this reading all function to make an employer more interested in you (as a good cover letter should). Many people don’t understand that most companies care very little about benefiting you and simply want to know what you bring to the table and how that can help it.
Right off the bat, the chapter makes a point that really interested me, especially in the way that it was explained. The chapter mentions something about a high amount of applicants in one job facility, and references the 2014 Toyota Company hiring. There, around 40,000 applicants were streamlined and added in as potential employees, but to narrow it down effectively and efficiently, the companies would quickly streamline the Cover Letters that were sent in. There, they would swiftly eliminate and throw out any applicants with Cover Letters consisting of grammar mistakes, spelling errors and language inconsistencies. One of the most important things when writing ANY professional document, especially cover letters, is to always proofread your writing and do a spellcheck for any mistakes. You want your Cover Letter to be as professional and technical as possible, so the fewer grammar mistakes, the more likely you are to be considered for the company. Many employers will look at the formatting and spelling of a Cover Letter, and assume the worst if the technical aspect of the letter is not up to standards. You have to make the letter look clean, as well as sound clean, so the biggest takeaway is to ensure that your Letter or Resume has as few grammar mistakes as possible. In the long run, it will show how literate and technical you are, espeically when looking for a high paying job that requires a lot of writing.
An important point that stood out to me was that you should really understand who you’re applying to and what that company is like. You should get a clear understanding of what the duty requires, all responsibilities that would fall onto your plate, etc. This can help the person applying with how to set up their cover letter and resumes. If jobs are looking for specific experiences and skill sets, then those qualities and experiences, degrees and certificates, etc., should be highlighted when you’re essentially “selling yourself” to the hiring process. You want to be your best self in this representation of yourself on paper.
This goes into my next point of how they say that this paper is basically a reflection of you. This paper is the first impression that the company will have of you. It needs to have the proper formatting, grab their attention in a positive way, as well as highlighting everything that they are looking for that you possess.
11 thoughts on “JOURNAL # 5”
They called me out within the first paragraph about not addressing a cover letter to whom it may concern. I find it’s harder than a lot of people think to find information about who is hiring people in a company. Or could you address it as “Dear Hiring Team at Company X…” Writing it in block business letter format is necessary. It should be no more than 1 page long with a font size between 10 and 12 in times new roman. I can also add skills here that I may not have been able to add to my resume. Cover letter is not about me, it’s about what I can do for the employer. Make sure to mention the job I am applying for in the first sentence. Use the AIDA format for this as well. Talk about skills first and then how good of a person/employee you’d be. The action would be calling and checking in on the application to make sure people received it. Being descriptive and using specific examples/language can be helpful here and should be done to show the employers what I am capable of. Cover letter is NOT about me it’s about what I can do for the employer.
The biggest takeaway is the AIDA model— First comes the grab-at-“attention” opening. Then follows a spark of “interest”, in getting them to read on to learn more about your skills and how they fit the company’s needs. Next, a good cover letter should build “desire”, to show the hiring manager how one can address their problems. And last, it should finish with a clear call to action: prompt them to take that next step. IE— Cover letters have multiple purposes— to inform the employer about your relevant experience and qualifications— and to show them who you are and express eagerness for the job. Not by rambling about personal interests, but how “you” as a person will not just “fit in”, but actively “improve” the workplace energy.
In your professional life cover letters and resumes are one of the most important documents you will write. It is the difference between getting a job or not. One of the first things you want to think about when writing a cover letter is how to format it. You will show your employer you know what you’re doing by writing in block business-letter format. Ideally, it should be no longer than a page long and written in 12 pt times new roman with sentences written short and punchy. Also another main thing to remember is that “the cover letter isn’t about you; it’s about what you can do for the employer”.
You should be writing using the AIDA approach. Which is attention, interest, desire, and action. This will ensure you will create an impression in a sea of letters. Within the first paragraph you will need to indicate what job you will be applying for. You could spark attention by connecting yourself to the company, ex) if you know someone who works there. Within the interest section you will mention jobs and experience that relate to the job. In the desire section you will have to realize that many of the other candidates have the same experiences as you and you will want to focus on pathos within this section. Finally, in the final part you should create action. In this section you will want to make sure their employers know that you are available at any time to meet and if you have the opportunity email them a week after sending the letter checking if they got it. Using this system is the best chance of having a strong cover letter.
One of the first big points that I took from this chapter is that the appearance of documents like cover letters and resumes are incredibly important. When employers are going through candidates, they are moving very quickly. This means that obvious spelling and grammar errors, including names of potential supervisors, are some of the first things that employers look for when finding a candidate. Spelling and grammar errors display a poor attention to detail, and portray a sense of carelessness about the job being applied for. Letters and resumes with spelling and grammar errors, or those that are hard to read due to poor format, will be the first to be tossed during decision making processes.
Another big piece that I took from this chapter was the use of the AIDA model for writing cover letters. A cover letter is a persuasive piece at its core, as its goal is to persuade an employer to give you a chance for an interview. The AIDA model outlines the way that your argument should be laid out, first grabbing attention by describing your interest in the job, then appealing to the employers interests by applying personal career experiences to points listed in a job description, creating applicant desire by explaining what makes you, personally, the best candidate for the job, and prompting action by telling the employer that you look forward to meeting with them.
A final important point from this chapter is to avoid generic language in cover letters. While a resume is a place to list your accomplishments, a cover letter’s focus is to apply this experience to points listed in the job description, showing how your specific skills and experience will be helpful to the employer. While giving adjectives to describe yourself is useful in resumes, a cover letter is the place to back it up with evidence, pulling from specific examples that show core skills that can be used at the job being applied for.
In chapter five we learn about writing compelling cover letters, so it stands to reason that the big ideas in this chapter are how to make your cover letter as effective as possible in making you seem like an attractive applicant. This is the case, because in my estimation the two biggest takeaways from chapter five are a reemphasis on the importance of using AIDA, and how cover letters should be formatted to boost how appealing your application is to a potential employer.
To the first point, the textbook wants to really hammer into your head how powerful the AIDA format can be in persuading someone of something. In a cover letter you are hoping that you will be able to persuade a potential employer that they should interview you, therefore using AIDA can help generate the momentum that you need to get an interview slot.
The second big idea of the chapter is regarding formatting your cover letters. The chapter stresses the importance of making the cover letter about your employer more than about yourself and giving them reasons to be interested in what you have to offer their company.
One important point in this chapter that someone should know about is who to address your cover letter to. Instead of using “dear sir or madam” or “to whom it may concern.” I am guilty of this myself because I use “dear sir/ma’am” in my cover letter. However, from this chapter I learned that it is better to find the name of the person that my application is being sent to. Another key piece that sticks out to me about the cover letter that can be useful is that it is not about me, it is about what I can do for the employer. That means use “you” centered sentences instead of “me” centered ones. Another important point in this chapter is using AIDA to help with the structure of your cover letter. First by getting their attention, then creating interest, then desire, and lastly taking action. Getting their attention and creating interest can be done by giving specific details about your qualifications and work experience. Creating desire can be done by presenting yourself as a hard worker who communicates well and is detail oriented. Action can be taken by asking for a meeting and showing that you are eager to have an interview with the employer. These two big points from this chapter can be beneficial in helping an individual with creating a cover letter and resume by acting like building blocks for success.
This chapter discussed how to write a strong Cover Letter and some tips and tricks when applying for jobs. To start off, the quality and care put into your writing reflects your character, and education, and can often be the first impression on someone. Take time to use the correct format, double-check spelling and grammar show attention to detail, and literacy, the basics that employers look for. It’s important to remember a cover letter is about what you can do for the employer like you’re trying to persuade them. After correcting small errors, a good letter should be concise with lots of details to show your best character and highlight the best qualifications. This is where prior research may come in handy when incorporating details. Knowing the company language and goals can help personalize your application and produce a more convincing application. These skills are part of a process called AIDA which structures a letter by using the attention, interest, desire, and action of the potential employer. Furthermore, when incorporating details, the information should be direct and specific. If an employer is looking for a wide range of skill sets, taking time to develop and create a visual image of your skills and qualifications throughout the letter is crucial. My favorite quote from this chapter is by “Getting the small details right in your application…You tell the employer you’ll probably get the details right on the job, too”
One important point I found in this chapter is that you should get familiar with the hiring process, along with the company/organization that you are specifically applying for. Having an understanding of how employers go through applications will help you write/revise your cover letter or resume. Employers have to go through thousands of applications and want to get through as many as they can in a short span of time. Some automatic red flags that will most likely put you in the “reject” pile are spelling, grammar, or even formatting mistakes. Ensuring that you double, triple, or quadruple check for these things is crucial to even be considered for the job. Catering your cover letter to the job description can also help you, as there are usually keywords that employers are looking out for.
Another important point I picked up was to really drive home the point that your writing is an extension and reflection of yourself in the professional world. While you may be an excellent, qualified worker, poor attention to detail in your writing does not paint the picture you want of yourself to employers. First impressions are key, and you only get one chance to do so. Using the eight C’s, appropriate format, and the AIDA approach are all tools you can use to write successful cover letters and resumes.
The things I want to discuss from this section of reading all center around the idea that “The cover letter isn’t about you; it’s about what you can do for the employer.” This chapter talked extensively about how to use AIDA in your cover letter to be a more appealing candidate (grab attention, create interest and desire, then call to action). Each element was broken down into examples, all of which made the applicant look better and showed the company exactly what that person could do for them, For example, in interest and desire, be specific about things like what tech platforms you’re trained in, exactly how many people you supervised in previous roles, etc. Adding this information and following other instructions from this reading all function to make an employer more interested in you (as a good cover letter should). Many people don’t understand that most companies care very little about benefiting you and simply want to know what you bring to the table and how that can help it.
Right off the bat, the chapter makes a point that really interested me, especially in the way that it was explained. The chapter mentions something about a high amount of applicants in one job facility, and references the 2014 Toyota Company hiring. There, around 40,000 applicants were streamlined and added in as potential employees, but to narrow it down effectively and efficiently, the companies would quickly streamline the Cover Letters that were sent in. There, they would swiftly eliminate and throw out any applicants with Cover Letters consisting of grammar mistakes, spelling errors and language inconsistencies. One of the most important things when writing ANY professional document, especially cover letters, is to always proofread your writing and do a spellcheck for any mistakes. You want your Cover Letter to be as professional and technical as possible, so the fewer grammar mistakes, the more likely you are to be considered for the company. Many employers will look at the formatting and spelling of a Cover Letter, and assume the worst if the technical aspect of the letter is not up to standards. You have to make the letter look clean, as well as sound clean, so the biggest takeaway is to ensure that your Letter or Resume has as few grammar mistakes as possible. In the long run, it will show how literate and technical you are, espeically when looking for a high paying job that requires a lot of writing.
An important point that stood out to me was that you should really understand who you’re applying to and what that company is like. You should get a clear understanding of what the duty requires, all responsibilities that would fall onto your plate, etc. This can help the person applying with how to set up their cover letter and resumes. If jobs are looking for specific experiences and skill sets, then those qualities and experiences, degrees and certificates, etc., should be highlighted when you’re essentially “selling yourself” to the hiring process. You want to be your best self in this representation of yourself on paper.
This goes into my next point of how they say that this paper is basically a reflection of you. This paper is the first impression that the company will have of you. It needs to have the proper formatting, grab their attention in a positive way, as well as highlighting everything that they are looking for that you possess.