Cover Letters for a Successful U.S. Job Search Help Employers Understand Your Foreign Degree & Experience In Partnership with Dec. 10, 2013 2013 World Education Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
WES Global Talent Bridge Global Talent Bridge is an initiative of World Education Services (WES) that is dedicated to helping skilled immigrants fully utilize their talents and education in the United States. We join with institutional partners and community-based organizations to help skilled immigrants leverage their training, achieve their career and professional goals, and contribute their talents to their full potential. We Offer: Extensive resources for skilled immigrants available free-of-charge on our website at www.globaltalentbridge.org/info Pathways to Success seminars and webinars
Today s Presenters Lorinda Grogg, Host Lorinda Grogg has been a Regional Director with World Education Services (WES) for 10 years. Regional Directors are the liaison between WES and the recipients (universities, employers, licensing boards, etc.) of WES reports. Lorinda promotes the recognition of international academic credentials via webinars, on-site meetings, and state, regional and national conferences. Tadd Wamester Tadd Wamester is the Manager of Strategic Initiatives at Upwardly Global, currently overseeing Upwardly Global s online training program. Since 2007, Tadd has had different responsibilities at Upwardly Global including direct service training, strategic planning and online program development, including work with national/remote volunteers. He also builds relationships to increase UpGlo s national impact and partnerships with refugee resettlement agencies, community colleges, and employers. Tadd was instrumental in expanding UpGlo's Professional Licensing Guide to Michigan in 2013.
Writing Cover Letters that Work December 10 th 2013 Global Talent Bridge & Upwardly Global
Upwardly Global Mission: to eliminate employment barriers for skilled immigrants and refugees and integrate this population into the US workforce Programs in Chicago, New York & San Francisco/San Jose metro areas, as well as Online Training Programs Results: Trained 5000+ skilled immigrants & assisted nearly 1800+ to find work back in their career field at an average salary of $42,000, with benefits
Session Goals The purpose of this workshop is to help you learn: 1. How the cover letter works with your resume in a job application 2. Basic rules for all U.S. cover letters regardless of industry 3. How to customize cover letters for each particular job
What is a Job Description? (JD) An online advertisement for an open professional job. It usually includes: a. Job title / Requisition number b. Date posted c. Company description d. Daily responsibilities e. Qualifications to apply o Years of experience, education, areas of expertise, etc. o Required - The ideal candidate must have o Preferred - not required, but a big bonus if you have it f. How to apply / Deadline to apply
Job Description Example Project Manager Real Estate (Job #10664BR) Company Description Kaplan Inc. is a leading provider of construction management solutions for growing businesses. We employ 100,000 people worldwide and partner with clients in 40 countries. We are searching for a hardworking, positive individual to join our team. Job Description: The Project Manager for our Real Estate Division manages new construction of workplace facilities for our clients. Major responsibilities include: Monitor on-time completion of construction projects Communicate with engineers and architects to make sure building meets specifications; make adjustments if problems arise Negotiate with bidders, landlords, and materials suppliers for optimal prices Monitor spending to ensure compliance with approved project budgets Analyze sites and infrastructure for new buildings
Job Description Example (cont d) Qualifications Bachelor s degree in Architecture or Project Management required Masters degree preferred 5-7 years experience managing large, high-value projects with a proven track record of building relationships with large contracting providers Must be familiar with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office Knowledge of QuickBooks is preferred but not required Application Instructions Send cover letter and resume to humanresources@kaplaninc.com with the job title and code in the subject line of your e-mail. No phone calls please.
Purpose of a Cover Letter A letter of introduction / interest paired with your resume A bridge between you (your resume) and the job posting Tells your reader, of all the info in your resume, the best reasons why you are the best candidate for this particular job! JOB POSTING (Who / what the company needs) COVER LETTER (Specific examples why you match this particular job posting) YOUR RESUME ( the big picture : your whole professional biography)
Purpose of a Cover Letter 1. Discusses ONLY your most relevant skills & experience for this particular job 2. Proves that you are targeted and focused in your career path 3. Markets you & creates a great 1 st impression 4. Includes context & story in a way that resume bullets points can t 5. Proves your strong English communication skills
General Rules to Follow 1. MUST be customized for the particular job Use the job description (JD) to guide you 2. 1-page maximum 3. Should look like a business letter No tables, photos, bullet points, incomplete sentences Written in the 1st person Do use the pronoun I 4. Should use industry vocabulary Use the JD to guide you 5. Proofread, proofread, proofread then do it again Never misspell the company name or Hiring Manager s name Even 1 grammar, spelling or formatting mistake will count negatively!
Step 1: Analyze the Job Description o What skills and requirements do you match? o What skills and requirements do you lack? o Any words or abbreviations you don t recognize? o Other considerations: Language skills or cultural knowledge Relevant survival job or volunteer experience
Step 2: Research the Company Read the company website. Learn the basics : Company products, services, culture and mission What makes you excited about this company in particular? Why is this important? Your 1st opportunity to stand out among all other applicants Use your company knowledge in the closing paragraph
Step 3: Write the 1 st Paragraph Follow this format every time for success: I am writing to apply for the (title) position (req #: ) with (name of company) that I learned about through (website or personal contact). My strong skills in,,, and (#) total years of experience in the field make me an excellent candidate for this role.
Step 4: Write the Middle Paragraph(s) 1. Choose 3 strong examples that directly relate to the JD 2. Think strategically 3. Include numbers in your examples (quantify results) 4. Use industry language & company language o Let the JD & company website guide you
Step 5: The Closing Strategies Strategy #1: Show your personal interest or personal connection to the mission of the organization. A must for nonprofit jobs! Strategy #2: Show that you ve done more research than other candidates Strategy #3: Or just restate your interest & why YOU are the best fit
Tips for Writing to U.S. Contacts In the U.S. workplace we use only Mr. or Ms. o Never use Miss or Mrs. If no recipient is named in the JD call the company and ask! o Confirm the spelling out loud with receptionist If the JD lists no recipient and says No calls please o Dear Hiring Manager, Always err on the side of too formal vs. too casual o Yes! - Dear Mr. Freeman, o No - Dear Mr. Harry, o No - Dear Harry, Can t tell if the first name is male or female? Use both first & last. o Yes! - Dear Sydney Greenberg,
Step 6: Proofread, Proofread, Proofread o Name the document for the reader o -- Firstname_Lastname_Cover_Letter_Position o Did you included the job requisition #? o Correct company name (check customization throughout) o Triple-check spelling of company name & recipient s name o Did the JD request any special info you left out? (salary req s?) o U.S. English spell check, not U.K. or other language o Formatting, grammar, punctuation and capitalization o Ask a native English speaker to read your cover letter
How to Send your Cover Letter & Resume o Always send in format the JD instructs o If no directions included, send as PDF attachments o Always give your documents a clear name Thomas Hamilton Cover Letter Personal Banker Thomas Hamilton Resume o Always use a clear subject line for the email Application for Personal Banker (req. # 2134D)
Review of the Cover Letter Writing Process 1. Analyze Job Description 2. Research the company 3. Opening paragraph 4. Middle paragraph(s) 5. Carefully choose an impactful closing 6. Proofread, proofread, proofread!
UpGlo Online: Series of Courses Marketing Yourself for the U.S. Job Search U.S. Professional Resume Development Cover Letter Development Networking Skills to Help You Connect with Employers LinkedIn for Skilled Immigrants Interview Skills that Lead to Job Offers Advanced Interview Skills Succeeding in the American Workplace Industry-Specific Workshops 22
Next Steps Job seekers who fit Upwardly Global s criteria should apply to the program via our online application www.upwardlyglobal.org/job-seekers/online-training-programs Work-authorized Earned a bachelor s degree or higher Professional work experience in your home country Recently arrived immigrant (within the last 5 years) Possess computer skills and intermediate English language skills Highly motivated to rebuild your career in the US! 23
Question & Answer What are your questions about cover letters? Contact Information: Tadd Wamester tadd@upwardlyglobal.org Manager, Strategic Initiatives Upwardly Global
Contact Us WES Global Talent Bridge www.globaltalentbridge.org/info email: nyc@wes.org WES Evaluation Questions www.wes.org/contact.asp Upwardly Global www.upwardlyglobal.org www.upwardlyglobal.org/job-seekers/online-training-programs Tadd Wamester email: tadd@upwardlyglobal.org
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