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The point of a cover letter is to introduce yourself, show interest, enthusiasm, and write one so fantastic that it screams “Read my resume!” Like a resume, it needs to be tailored for each job. When emailing a cover letter, it should be included as a PDF attachment.
Your cover letter should be one page written in professional, business letter format with three to four paragraphs.
Salutation and First paragraph:
Second & third paragraphs:
Final paragraph:
[YOUR RESUME HEADER]
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Name]
[341 Company Address]
[Company City, State XXXXX]
Dear Mr./Ms. Hiring Manager’s Last Name OR Dear Recruiting Manager,
I wish to submit my application for the Office Manager job opening, which I saw on (Website Name). I believe that my experience, education, and skill set place me to meet the challenges described in your job posting. Over my five years working in administrative positions, I accumulated extensive experience and skills in office management. I am excited about this opportunity at [company name], as this position aligns with my goal to utilize my unique skills in a respected multi-national company.
With three years of experience in document scanning, data entry, payroll activities, and answering telephones, I have proven to be reliable and organized. I was recognized at Gamma Corporations for my work ethic, where I have been employed as an Office Clerk Intern since August 2015. My key skills include IT skills for data entry, high attention to detail, the ability to run a payroll, and an excellent telephone manner. I am also adept with MS Word and Excel.
Additionally, I have worked with Sema Copies as a Junior Assistant Payroll Clerk and also in Customer Service, where I strived to maintain high standards for effectiveness, precision, dependability, and attendance. I am a flexible team player and can adapt to various situations that may occur and handle any additional assigned duties. In summary, I am an extremely friendly and organized professional with proven administrational skills.
I am enthusiastic about working with [company name] and am confident that my skills, experience, and education have prepared me to meet your expectations. If you would like to discuss my qualifications further or schedule an interview, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
[First Name Last Name]
COVER LETTER RUBRIC
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An Elevator Pitch is a brief overview of your professional experience, skills, strengths, accomplishments, and goals. It is essentially your 30 to 60-second commercial used to network at a job fair or say, if an employer stepped into an elevator with you. You have limited amount of time with this person, so be sure to cover these three main items: 1. Who you are and what you do, 2. Your relevant experience, skills, strengths, abilities, and 3. What you want from this interaction. Your Elevator Pitch should be tailored based on your purpose. For example, if you are interested in a career as a mobile application developer, only discuss what is relevant to that field or profession.
Developing and practicing your Elevator Pitch beforehand is key to making a meaningful introduction. You will use this throughout your professional life such as in a cover letter, at a career fair, in networking emails, and during an interview where they will inevitably ask you to tell them a bit about yourself. Craft yours by using the guide below. Read it aloud, make it sound natural to you, and practice, practice, practice!
EXAMPLE: My name is Michelle. I’m currently studying Computer & Information Science at Cuyamaca College. I love learning about technology. I’d like to start a career as a mobile application developer, so I spend my free time learning about mobile programming languages on the internet. I’m proud to be the first person in my family to graduate from college—it means I’ve worked extra hard to learn new things on my own when my parents weren’t able to help. I’d love to use my ability to learn new things quickly as a part of your team at Cubic Corporation San Diego.
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A Networking Email is sent to someone whom you wish to connect up with to get a bit of information about the field in which they work. Attach your updated resume in PDF format or refer them to your LinkedIn profile. Example #1 is to a Cuyamaca College alumnus. Example #2 is to a connection on LinkedIn.
EXAMPLE #1:
Subject: Hello from a Cuyamaca College Student!
Dear Mr./Ms. ______,
I came across your contact information through (insert source). I am currently a student at Cuyamaca College, and I thought that I would reach out to discuss your career path. I am majoring in (insert major), and I have a strong interest in (insert interest). I would love to schedule a phone chat with you to discuss your career path and learn more about your transition from Cuyamaca College to your current position at Company X.
I am attaching my resume for your reference. Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you soon!
Sincerely,
Catherine Coyote
Associate of (Arts or Sciences) in (Major Name) anticipated (Month Year)
Cuyamaca College
Phone number
EXAMPLE #2:
Dear Mr./Ms. _____,
I am a current student at Cuyamaca College pursuing my degree in (insert major) and I have a background in ______. I came across your LinkedIn profile while researching (job title) in the El Cajon area. I see that you have worked in this field for several years and would love to ask you a few questions about your career path and how you got to where you are today. Would you have time for a quick 20-minute informational interview via phone or Zoom in the next few weeks? Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Catherine Coyote
After an interview, within 24 hours, it is advised that you send a thank you note to each interviewer with whom you met. You may send the note as an email. Additionally, you may also send a small handwritten notecard. Your note should be brief, reiterate your interest in the position, and reference specific qualifications (or topics of conversation during the interview) that you want the interviewer to remember.
EXAMPLE:
Subject: Thank You!
Dear Mr./Ms. ______,
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to discuss the (position title) position with me. I enjoyed our conversation, especially talking about (insert most memorable part of the conversation). Company X is truly an exceptional place to start my career because (insert a few notes on why Company X). I hope to hear back from you soon regarding my next steps. Have a great day, and once again, thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me!
Sincerely,
Catherine Coyote
Associate of (Arts or Sciences) in (Major Name) anticipated (Month Year)
Cuyamaca College
Phone number
A Job or Internship Inquiry Email is sent to any organization or person you wish to gain employment with. This email is appropriate if you want to learn more about a current or prospective opening from a connection you’ve made by networking in person, via LinkedIn, etc.. Please note that some employers do not post internships online and the only way to find out about internships is by directly contacting them. The email below is to an employer.
EXAMPLE:
Subject: Insert the job title or type of internship that you are inquiring about
Dear Mr./Ms. ______,
I am writing to you because I am very interested in (working or interning) with (company name). I am currently a student at Cuyamaca College majoring in (major) with a (GPA if above 3.0). I believe that my current coursework in (series of relevant course work) would make me a great asset to your team. I am diligent, trustworthy, motivated, and I never stray from a challenge (or any other skills). For example, (discuss an experience that demonstrates these skills).
By (interning or working) with you, I hope to learn more about the field of (insert field name) and fully develop my professional skills. I hope that you please consider my resume.
Thank you,
Catherine Coyote
Associate of (Arts or Sciences) in (Major Name) anticipated (Month Year)
Cuyamaca College
Phone number
WHAT IS A RESUME?A resume is a summary of your professional and personal qualifications for a job or internship. The reader will view your education, skills, work experience (paid and unpaid), activities, and achievements. It highlights how you qualify for the particular position for which you are applying. It should demonstrate how you have used relevant and transferable skills to produce results.
This is your time to shine! Remember, you’re not bragging or boasting: employers want to know why YOU are the best person for this position and the only way to do that is to advocate for yourself and be confident in your skills and accomplishments! |
GRAMMAR & SPELLING
MARGINS & LENGTH
FONT
TEXT EFFECTS, INDENTATION, LINE SPACING
SECTIONS
BULLET POINTS
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Use this form to brainstorm ideas for your resume and then place the information in your preferred resume format.
Contact Information:
Name_______________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address____________________________________________________________
Email Address______________________________________________________________
Phone Number_____________________________________________________________
Education:
Institution ___________________________________________________________________
Degree seeking______________________________________________________________
Major/Minor/Certificate ____________________________________________________
Cumulative and/or Major GPA (if above 3.0)________________________________
Anticipated Graduation Date (Month/Year)________________________________
Relevant Coursework: (*Optional)
_____________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________ _____________________________
Work Experience: (*Include jobs or internships, *Use bullet points & start with a power verb
Title_________________________________________________________________________
Company/Location_________________________________________________________
Duties_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Skills Used__________________________________________________________________ Projects/Promotions________________________________________________________
Dates Employed (Month/Year to Month/Year)_____________________________
Title_________________________________________________________________________
Company/Location_________________________________________________________
Duties_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Skills Used__________________________________________________________________ Projects/Promotions________________________________________________________
Dates Employed (Month/Year to Month/Year)_____________________________
Leadership Experience: (*Include organizations, teams & volunteer activities
where you contributed significantly) Position____________________________________________________________________
Organization_______________________________________________________________
Dates Involved_____________________________________________________________
Position____________________________________________________________________
Organization_______________________________________________________________
Dates Involved_____________________________________________________________
Activities/Volunteer: (*Include organizations/ volunteer work) Organization______________________________________________________________
Dates Involved_____________________________________________________________
Organization______________________________________________________________
Dates Involved_____________________________________________________________
Language/Computer __________________, __________________, __________________,
Skills:
Awards/Honors: __________________, __________________, __________________,
NAME
City, State Zip | Professional email | Phone number with professional message | LinkedIn
EDUCATION
Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CA anticipated May 2021
A.A. Business with an emphasis in Accounting
Overall GPA: 3.5
Dean’s List: Spring 2019
Santana High School Santee, CA June 2018
High School Diploma
WORK EXPERIENCE
Office Assistant December 2018-present
Coyote Accounting Group El Cajon, CA
Department Supervisor March 2017-November 2018
Maci’s Market La Mesa, CA
Child Care Provider June 2017-December 2017
Ruiz Residence San Diego, CA
Tutor February 2015-January 2016
Dowden Charter School San Diego, CA
VOLUNTEER/LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Volunteer, Mountain Animal Shelter, San Diego, CA Spring 2019
Vice President, World Cultures Club at Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, CA Fall 2017-Spring 2018
SKILLS & LANGUAGES
NAME
City, State Zip
Professional email
Phone number with professional message
Linkedln
OBJECTIVE
Seeking an accounting clerk position to utilize knowledge gained from accounting courses.
I am currently pursuing my degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting and am
an expert in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
EDUCATION
Cuyam.aca College anticipated May 2021
El Cajon, CA
A.A. Business with an emphasis in Accounting
Relevant coursework: Introduction to Business, Financial Accounting, Computerized Accounting Applications,
Analysis of Financial Statements, Business Communication.
EXPERIENCE
Mountain Animal Shelter
El Cajon, CA
Volunteer March 2019-present
World Cultures Club at Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, CA
Vice President September
201 7-May 2018
SKILLS
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https://www.cuyamaca.edu/student-support/career-center/job-board-for-students.php
Both on-campus and off campus jobs can be viewed for free at College Central Job Board. Cuyamaca, Grossmont College, enrolled high school students and alumni may use this service.
Access job opportunities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To look at the job list you may use a Career Center
computer or use your own.
Post a resume to the Online Job Board. This will prompt our resume tutors at the Career Center to
review and take a look at your resume. You may be called in to bring your resume with
you for an additional appointment and assistance to work on it.
You can log into the job board using your student ID. If you forgot your student ID, contact us.
Students will need an e-mail account to register for the Cuyamaca Online Job Board.
You may use your own email account, but if you need a new e-mail account go to http://students.gcccd.edu . You will be asked to supply your student user name and password.
Register for your free College Central Job Board account:
Log in If you already have a College Central Job Board account.
Disclaimer: Cuyamaca College makes no representations nor guarantees about positions listed
with the Student Employment Office. Cuyamaca is not responsible for safety, wages,
working conditions, nor other aspects of off-campus employment. It is the responsibility
of students and alumni to research the integrity of the organization to which they
are applying. Students and alumni are advised to use caution and common sense when
applying for any position with an organization or private party."
Cuyamaca College uses selected criteria to determine which job openings may or may
not be posted on the JobLink.
Company career pages: You can be sure that a company will post jobs on its own career page, so don't forget to set alerts on the career pages of companies that interest you. If alerts aren't possible, be sure to check those pages regularly for new jobs. Also follow company social media accounts and monitor updates for news and new jobs.
Often, companies will post job opportunities on specialty or niche job boards in order to reach candidates with an industry, occupational or geographic specialty. It is worth searching for a site that caters to your area of interest. Some examples include:
The job search can be challenging in today’s job market. Apply for several jobs and don’t forget to tailor your resume and cover letter for each! That involves lots of time, and lots to keep track of.
Creating a spreadsheet to keep track of your job applications will help you stay on top of the job search process. It doesn't have to be fancy, and it's up to you how detailed you want to get. But, here are the key columns to include: