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Cover Letters

1) The document provides guidance on useful language for cover letters, including stating the purpose of the letter, expressing interest in a particular position, and highlighting relevant qualifications and experience. 2) Examples are given for introducing the purpose of the letter depending on how the job was listed. 3) Suggestions include expressing how background and skills match the job requirements, and emphasizing accomplishments and quantifiable results from previous roles.

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Guadalupe Torrado
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
104 views

Cover Letters

1) The document provides guidance on useful language for cover letters, including stating the purpose of the letter, expressing interest in a particular position, and highlighting relevant qualifications and experience. 2) Examples are given for introducing the purpose of the letter depending on how the job was listed. 3) Suggestions include expressing how background and skills match the job requirements, and emphasizing accomplishments and quantifiable results from previous roles.

Uploaded by

Guadalupe Torrado
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cover Letters: Useful Language

Stating the purpose of your letter:


I am writing in response to the job listing/posting I saw on your website for a
research assistant.
I am writing in response to the advertisement for a research scientist I saw on
your website.
I am responding to your ad for an architect in the January 11, 2007 issue of the
Boston Globe.
George Bush suggested that I contact you about the opening you have for an
urban planner.

Expressing your interest in a particular position:


With a background in editing that includes two years as an urban planner for the
City of New York, I am well qualified for the position.
As an architect with over five years' experience, I offer a range of skills that
would be useful to your company.
My training as a CAD engineer makes me well suited to the job description.

Highlight relevant work (don't just rehash your resume),


emphasizing results:
While at JP Jones Publishers, I designed and developed the Five Minute Thriller
series, for which I also produced the read-along tapes. This title is still in print,
and is one of JP Jones' biggest sellers.
After receiving my B.A. in architecture, I worked for two years on various
independent architectural and urban design projects, including a 120-person
occupancy womens dormitory and the University of Rorkee in Haridwar, India.

Concluding sentences:
I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you personally about my
qualifications and experience. I look forward to hearing from you.

I look forward to speaking with you about the possibility of putting my skills to
work at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Thank you for your consideration.
I am planning to be in the New York area next week and will call your office to
see if we might meet. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you
personally about my qualifications.

Verb tenses:
Simple past tense for anything done in the past (for example, for a company you
no longer work for). "While at JP Jones, I oversaw the construction of several
major housing projects."
Simple past OR present perfect for that work which you are still involved in:
"For the past two years I have taught an editing workshop at the Somerville
Community College."

Other useful constructions/collocations


I have been involved in
I participated in
I have experience

(gerund or noun)

ex: I participated in planning a pocket park in Manhattans Lower East Side.


My research interests include
I am particularly interested in
My research focuses on

(gerund or noun)

ex: My research interests include the development of nanostructures.


My research focuses on designing new systems for the production of circuits.
I contributed to _____________________.

(noun)

ex: I contributed to the development of a new accounting system.


I worked as a ___________________.

(noun - name of position)

I am interested in pursuing a position as a__________________.


ex: I worked as a landscape architect at the firm of Matthews-Jones.

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