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Cover letter how tos

Shazkar ShadowstormShazkar Shadowstorm Registered User regular
edited March 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
Basically... how do I write a cover letter for an internship - especially considering I'm mostly trying to do these to try out different things, since I'm a young-un and whatnot?
How do I do write it? Format, length, and what can stay the same between letters and how much needs to be specific, and how specific/what kind of things to say?

poo
Shazkar Shadowstorm on

Posts

  • PhilodoxPhilodox Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    It really depends on if you have any relevant experience.

    basic format for my cover letters:

    Paragraph 1
    -Introduce myself
    -Show interest in the position
    -Describe vaguely what's coming in the next two paragraphs

    Paragraph 2
    -List off two or three directly relevant experiences I have to the job with references to my resume (important!)
    -List a couple of soft skills

    Paragraph 3
    -Reiterate enthusiasm for job
    -Give contact information

    I view the cover letter a way of encouraging the employer to read the resume. It's very important that your resume and cover letter be free of grammar and spelling mistakes. Read it over three, four, five times before you submit it. I've been on the other side of the table a couple of times and I can't stress how important it is to get that stuff right.

    Philodox on
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  • PheezerPheezer Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited March 2007
    The cover letter is also what fills in the blanks for the recruiter. It says WHY the experience listed on your resume makes you ideal and talks about your applicable skills and enthusiasm.

    Pheezer on
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  • Blake TBlake T Do you have enemies then? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Philodox wrote: »
    It's very important that your resume and cover letter be free of grammar and spelling mistakes. Read it over three, four, five times before you submit it.

    When you are sending off to multiple companies using the same letter but changing stuff around. DO THIS. My biggest problem was when the HR person was a lady and I forgot to throw in the she's instead of the he's.

    On a side note for the opening paragraph I would swap show interest in the company more than the position then show interest in your position in the second paragraph.

    Blake T on
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  • Shazkar ShadowstormShazkar Shadowstorm Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Question Re: Relevant experience... I have little work experience except at a camp job as an assistant teacher thing, since this is like the first internship thing I'm doing ever. What kind of things should I say? Could I use an example of a school thing that involved teamwork in my first semester design class thing as relevant experience, etc...?

    Shazkar Shadowstorm on
    poo
  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    I actually just scored a corporate internship and in the cover letter I basically summed up my situation (freshman in college, undecided in major), and expressed desire to learn from the internship.

    Though then you also have to state what qualities you have so that they would want you.

    Yeah...

    Faricazy on
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