Professional Letters

Basic Cover/Application Letter Principles

Layout/Appearance Always type your letters using a professional font for headings and the body text consistent with your resume. Adhere to block style format for business correspondence (double-space between paragraphs; text flush to the left). Use the contacts title such as Mr., Ms., or Dr. (always use Ms. instead of Miss or Mrs.). Make sure your letter is free of typos, misspellings and grammatical errors. Sign your letter at the bottom of the page in blue or black ink or leave blank if sent electronically. Print your letter on paper to match your resume; keep letters to one page. Writing Style Avoid beginning all sentences with I. Place a greater emphasis on the word you. Avoid the phrase I am writing in your opening paragraph, as this is understood in a letter. Lengthy paragraphs are overwhelming to read. Divide your text into several paragraphs, each one describing different aspects of your education and work experience. Use transition phrases and topic sentences to improve the flow of the letter between paragraphs. Your letter should always convey confidence and a positive attitude; eliminate statements of doubt. For instance, statements like, If you think I am qualified, or I hope you find my will not assure the reader that you are a confident individual. Show, dont tell, by providing specific examples to illustrate how your qualifications meet the organizations needs. Explain specifically how you have done something instead of saying you can. Overall Impression/Marketing Effectiveness of Content Address your letter to a specific person and double check the spelling of the individuals name. If the job posting did not indicate a name, you may need to call the company to obtain this information. If there is no phone number listed, you should address the letter to Hiring Manager or Human Resource Representative. Tailor each letter to the position and company, emphasizing how your specific qualifications match the employers needs as described in the position description. All of the items cited in your cover letter should also appear on your resume. Use factual statements regarding an organization to demonstrate your research. Convey self-confidence in abilities without being overly aggressive. Do not oversell yourself or appear desperate. Follow through on any action stated in your letter, such as a phone call to the employer. Maintain a contact log to aid you with following-up in a timely fashion. Carefully read the companys instructions for submitting your application materials. If you are unsure how to send your materials, note in your email you have sent them in multiple formats for them to open as they prefer. Microsoft Word or .pdf formats are preferred, but .text embedded in the email is an acceptable alternative. Professional Email Etiquette Address people you do not know as Mr., Ms., or Dr., only address someone by first name if they imply it is okay. In the subject line, make it obvious why you are writing: "Application for XYZ position." Name your document "your name, resume." Employers receive hundreds of resumes via email and will not have to look through 300 attachments called "resume to locate yours. Never use all capital letters. Employers may think that you are screaming and it can be difficult to read. Do not assume that if an employer is informal (using slang, emoticons, etc.) that you should be. Wait to fill in the "TO" email address. This will keep you from accidentally sending an email prematurely. It is easy to accidentally click the send icon, when you really meant to click on the attachment icon.

211 Hagestad Hall ~ (715) 425-3572 ~ www.uwrf.edu/CareerServices

Submitting an Application by Email

Option 1 - brief introduction:

Dear Ms. Clark: This email is in response to the advertisement posted on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Hire-a-Falcon vacancy list for XYZ position at ABC company (Job Posting #123). Please accept the attached letter and resume as my application for this position. My skills and experience closely align with the posted job description, which make me an excellent fit for this position. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you, Joe Meyer (715) 425-5555 [email protected]

Option 2 - insert your cover letter:

Dear Ms. Clark: This email is in response to the advertisement posted on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) Hire-a-Falcon vacancy list for XYZ position at ABC company (Job #123). Please accept the attached resume as my application for this position. As a leader in green business operations, I was drawn to your company and the services you provide your community. Contributing to a company that provides services to its community in an eco-friendly way is a goal of mine. Due to my experience in the industry, and passion for contributing to your mission of eco-friendly operations, I believe I am an ideal candidate for this position. You are seeking a candidate who is knowledgeable and experienced in the banking industry, while also able to work cooperatively with diverse populations. As a Business Administration student at UWRF, I have taken advantage of numerous internship opportunities to gain relevant banking and customer service experience. For the past two years, I have worked as a Bank Teller at Wells Fargo, where I was responsible for serving customers, balancing my drawer and mentoring new tellers. In addition, I have served as the treasurer of the UWRF Business Association for the past two years, studied abroad in Scotland, and completed a financial management internship this summer; allowing me to work with many people from different backgrounds. These experiences helped enhance my leadership, teamwork, customer service and time-management skills, which will be beneficial at ABC company. The opportunity to become a contributing member of ABC Company, and continuing the tradition of friendly and accurate service excites me. A meeting to learn more about your needs and how I can contribute would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Joe Meyer (715) 425-5555 [email protected]

Professional Letter Format

Professional letters allow you to introduce yourself and highlight unique experiences in-depth in order to make you stand out. This letter not only allows the employer to gain a better understanding of your skills, interest and qualifications, it also conveys your written communication skills and abilities. Below is an outline to help you format your letter.

Jordan Gaetz
123 South 7th Street, River Falls, WI 54022, 555-123-4567, [email protected] Date Employers Name, Title Company/Organization Name Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms. ____: Opening Paragraph: State the following: why you are writing this letter, the position to which you are applying for, what your interest in the company and position is. Begin by stating the position in which you are applying. Personalize each letter by showing interest in the company/organization. Research the company/organization to show interest and relate this to your background and experiences. Keep this focused on qualifications you bring to the employer, not what the employer can do for you. Second Paragraph(s): What are your qualifications? Why are you the right person for this position? Peak the employers interest so he/she will want to read your resume and schedule an interview. Sell yourself. Give the employer a reason to read your resume by explaining specifics about your skills or experiences. Highlight experiences related to the position for which you are applying. Continue to tie your knowledge of the company, position, industry or field into your examples. Utilize the position description to tailor this section of the letter to each position. Final Paragraph: Re-state your interest. Do you have a follow-up plan? Close your letter by re-stating your interest and thank the employer for their consideration. Mention you would like to discuss further employment opportunities and you are able to supply more information if needed. Sincerely, (Sign Here) Your Name Typed Here

Lisa M. Roberts
987 Lindwood Drive Wyoming, MN 55045 (555) 555-2648 [email protected]

March 19, 2013 Mr. Doug Evens, Director of Marking and Sales Pella Corporation 102 Main Street Pella, Iowa 50219 Dear Mr. Evens: Please accept this cover letter and resume as my application to Pella Corporations information technology summer internship program. Currently, I am a junior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls working towards a Bachelor of Science in mathematics with minors in computer information systems and business administration. I am very excited about the opportunity to work as an intern for Pella and experience hands-on projects directly helping multiple individuals and departments. Having the opportunity to be part of a company that has been established for more than 100 years is a goal I am striving to achieve. Just this month, Pella Corporation was honored with the ENERGY STAR award because of their high demonstration of strong leadership year-after-year. To receive an outstanding award as this, the company needs strong leaders in all areas of business. With my determination to learn and passion for helping others, I can help continue this strong brand for Pella Windows. It is critical that I gain experience working in teams and build leadership skills while interning. I am a self-motivated leader, which comes very natural to me and am many times the individual to take the initial step in getting things started. Through my experience working with a team in a worldwide math competition, I learned how to effectively lead a team, which resulted in a more effective team. Everyone brings something beneficial to a team, and I enjoy learning from experienced individuals, while teaching those who are looking to learn. I have a passion for teaching and helping others, and I believe this quality makes me a strong leader. Along with being a leader, you must be able to communicate, operate in an organized manner, and be detail oriented. These are skills I have learned through my past and current job experiences as a tutor, warehouse worker, file room assistant, and server. My experiences have taught me how crucial it is to be organized and detail oriented in order to avoid making costly mistakes. Through multi-tasking, I gained essential problem solving skills that cannot be learned from a textbook. These skills have helped me succeed in my endeavors by thinking through the most efficient and effective methods for overcoming obstacles. From these experiences, I have learned to communicate my thoughts and ideas clearly to individuals at all levels of the organization to ensure full understanding by all involved or impacted individuals. I am well developed in this area, and it is another reason as to why I am an effective leader. Relationships are built through good communication, which is essential for a thriving business. This internship will provide an opportunity to apply what I have practiced and read in a hands-on capacity. I am very excited to apply for this position because I believe I am an excellent candidate and am thrilled to utilize my computer information systems, business, and mathematical skills to help Pella Corporation achieve its goals. Please feel free to reach me by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (651) 334-2648. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you personally regarding my interests in and abilities for this position. Respectfully yours,

Lisa M. Roberts
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Georgina Starbuck
555 Wabasha Street North Saint Paul, MN 55102 (555) 228-4723 [email protected]

December 5, 2013 Mr. Brian Shrack, Executive Coordinator ABC Corporation 555 North Farwell Street Eau Claire, WI 54702 Dear Mr. Shrack: Please accept this cover letter and resume as application for the ABC Corporations marketing coordinator position. Emily Conrad notified me of the open position and I am excited for the opportunity to learn more about your organization. As a recruiter at the EFG recruiting company, my goal is to assist individuals with career exploration, while also assessing talent local organizations would benefit from hiring. I believe there is a strong parallel between my goal and ABCs mission of facilitating the growth of job opportunities in the Eau Claire Area. This is a mission I am eager to contribute to. You are seeking a marketing coordinator with well-rounded marketing experiences and skill sets. Through my professional experiences, I have had the opportunity to organize and implement marketing campaigns, supervise interns, and manage websites and online databases. In each of my event coordination experiences, I have been responsible for coordinating marketing plans and ensuring all event details were completed. Utilizing Adobe Creative Suite and web design programs, I have created both electronic and print promotional materials for websites, newspapers and local publications. I have also written and distributed press releases and event invitations, as well as participated in newspaper, radio and campus television interviews. Managing and implementing all aspects of marketing is a true passion of mine and I am excited for new challenges with the ABC Corporation. The ABCs marketing coordinator is responsible for supervising interns. This is an area of overlap with my current position. I currently supervise two interns. The Event Planning intern coordinates all aspects of a large community event and I ensure the details and logistics of the marketing campaign are appropriate. We meet bi-weekly, tracking the interns progress, planning future priorities and tackling any urgent tasks that arise. The employer intern is responsible for all communications regarding recruitment. This intern meets with me periodically throughout the month to update our processes and materials. Supervising interns is something I enjoy because of the excitement they bring to each project as well as their dedication to produce high quality work. As a recruiter, I manage a database system allowing employers to connect with qualified candidates for open positions. We utilize this online system for candidates to upload resumes for searches by employers, as well as sign up for a variety of interviews. I manage the details behind the scenes with the employer, set up the interview logistics and promote the opportunity to students. Based on your website, it seems this system is strikingly similar to the ABCs Recruitment Network. I am very excited to apply for this position because I believe I am a strong candidate and am eager to utilize my marketing and organization skills to help the ABC Corporation achieve its goals. I look forward to speaking with you personally about my qualifications. You may reach me at (555) 228-4723 or [email protected]. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely,

Georgina Starbuck

BRENT WRIGHT
456 East Cascade Avenue River Falls, WI 54022 (555) 456-8963 [email protected]

December 28, 2013 Ms. Deb Peterson MakeMusic 7615 Golden Triangle Drive, Suite M Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3848 Dear Ms. Peterson: Please accept this letter, resume and attached sample of my work in the Finale Notation Software as application for the Associate Customer Support Representative position with MakeMusic. I became aware of this position through Mr. Peter Lile, a current MakeMusic employee. In May, I will graduate with a double major in music and mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF). Since I started my musical studies in high school, eight years ago, I have been working extensively with Finale Notation Software to assist with compositional projects. I have attained six years of customer service experience in food service, tutoring and event management capacities as well as demonstrated my leadership and interpersonal skills through collegiate athletics. The experiences aforementioned will ensure my successful transition into the Associate Customer Support Representative position. I believe my educational and professional experiences make me a strong candidate for this position. Some of my qualifications include: Music Technology: Music has always intrigued me. Serving individuals through a program such as yours, has empowered me to achieve my musical goals. This academic year, I have worked as part of the UWRF Production Service Staff, which is a team of 18 individuals responsible for the set-up, execution and take down of 200+ weekly campus events as well as maintaining $400,000 of AV equipment. I have advanced my technology skills by working with sound and lighting equipment in extensive and complex staging set-ups. Communication & Professional Skills: In the fast-paced environment I was in as a Production Services staff member, I strengthened my professional communication skills with customers and team members as well as improved time management, multi-tasking and independent problem solving skills via navigating equipment malfunctions and last-minute reconfigurations. As a service provider, it is my responsibility to troubleshoot issues the moment they arise to guarantee a quality experience for the customer. Leadership: Dedication, leadership and a drive to succeed are all skills I have honed as a Division III three-sport collegiate athlete. Each semester I have successfully balanced a full-time credit load, regular practice and competition schedule as well as 20+ hours of work each week. As a result, I believe I will be able to handle the variety of demands placed upon me as a new professional learning the organization and the specific position responsibilities. Salary requirements for my first professional position upon graduation are to earn a minimum hourly wage of $15 per hour.

I want to reiterate my strong interest in the Associate Customer Support Representative position. I would be honored to become a contributing member of the MakeMusic organization by continuing the strong commitment to developing and marketing solutions that transform how music is composed, taught, learned, and performed. If you have any questions or if I may provide you with additional information, I can be reached at [email protected] or at (555) 456-8963. Thank you for your consideration of my qualifications; I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely,

Brent Wright
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JoAnna Hoff
547 Ranger Street #6, River Falls, WI 54022, [email protected], (555) 524-3256

November 26, 2013 Ms. Joni Starr, Human Resources Manager R&D Systems, Inc. 51222 Forest Lane Minneapolis, MN 34567 Dear Ms. Starr: This letter is to inquire about the Research Associate - Cell Culture Development position you have available at R&D Systems, Inc. Your company has been manufacturing biomedical products for over 50 years and I hope to bring my biotechnology experience and education to your team. With the excitement of your new Radial Opulence product debut next month, I am eager to contribute to the development of such innovative products in the medical market. You require: Experience in laboratory environments; assist in data analysis and interpretation. As an intern with the REU Biomolecular Science program through the National Science Foundation, I performed research experiments focused on bacterial species. This research provided hands-on experience utilizing incubators, cell counters and cryogenic storage, as well as statistical analysis software to assist the professional staff in analyzing data for three separate projects. Prior to this experience, I strengthened my organizational and attention to detail skills while working as a Lab Technician in the UW-River Falls Biology Department. I was responsible for preparing the lab every day with materials needed for each class. Building skills in the lab while at the university contributed to successful and professional projects in the REU Biomolecular Science program, and I hope to bring these skills to the Research Associate candidate position. Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills. Utilizing my analytical skills as the Research and Development Technical Aid (DTA) at 3M was essential in aiding me being a contributing and successful intern. . One of my main tasks was to construct schedules in which to carry out analysis on the physical properties of aged adhesive samples to ensure consistency from one trial to the next. Additionally, I worked with a team of two other DTAs to consistently collect and analyze data, and to stay up-to-date on filed patents to analyze market trends. Through this opportunity, I solidified my interest in research and passion for the medical sciences, instead of consumer product research. Exceptional leadership and communication skills. Being a leader is a skill the Research Associate must possess. Working as both a Resident Assistant on campus and a Managers Assistant at Applebees, I developed leadership skills by overseeing teams of about 20 people. In both positions communicate expectations clearly and empowered my colleagues by offering opportunities for each person to hold responsibility for specific projects. I did this by seeking their input and allowing each team member to take the lead on different projects. Leadership skills have been gained in each position I have held and I continually try to take initiative and seek leadership opportunities. With the combination of lab and experimentation skills, analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as my drive to act as a leader while continually supporting the team in the capacity I am needed, I believe I would be a great fit for R&D Systems Cell and Culture Development division. This position is one in which I am excited to learn more about. R&D Systems is a leading player in the industry and I hope to contribute to your company as a Research Associate. Please contact me at 555-524-3256 or [email protected] to speak further about my qualifications. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, JoAnna Hoff
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Thank You Letter Example

Kyle Herzog
654 Johnson Street River Falls, WI 54022 (715) 555-1212 [email protected]

September 15, 2013 Mr. Kevin Smith Marketing Director Carmichael Lynch 110 North 5th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403 Dear Mr. Smith: Thank you very much for interviewing me yesterday for the Marketing Assistant position at Carmichael Lynch. I enjoyed meeting with you to learn more about the position and would like to reiterate my interest and enthusiasm. I was very encouraged to learn my qualifications matched so well with your requirements. The creative approach to marketing you desire heightened my interest in the position. My Marketing Promotion Internship with Clear Channel Communications provided me with the opportunity to put my creativity to work by implementing poster advertisements, creating direct mail publications, and experimenting with additional methods of gaining consumer attention. These experiences will be very beneficial when working with Carmichael Lynch. One highlight I did not mention during my interview was the three years of marketing experience I had with UW-River Falls as a Marketing Intern in Career Services. You may find samples of my work from this position at www.mywebspace.com/uwrfcareerintern. I look forward to the opportunity to become a positive force within the Marketing Department at Carmichael Lynch. If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or at (715) 555-1212. Sincerely, First Paragraph
It is important to personalize each thank you note to the specific individual. Express thanks and appreciation for the interview, and the consideration extended to you. State the job for which you were interviewed, as well as the date and location of the interview

Second Paragraph (use one or all of the following approaches)

1) Re-affirm your interest in the position and company. 2) Re-emphasize your strongest qualifications. 3) Re-address items/questions from the interview. If there was a question that caused confusion, it is appropriate to restate your answer. 4) Draw attention to the match between your qualifications and the job requirements.

Third Paragraph
Show willingness to provide any additional clarifying data or statements and submit any further information you may want to add to your application.

Kyle Herzog