JOB SEARCH: LESSON PLAN 5

LEARN TO WRITE A COVER LETTER WITH THE COVER LETTER CREATOR

Summary:
A cover letter is a way for a job applicant to provide a brief written introduction of themselves to a
prospective employer. It is also a document that introduces your resume. Help your students learn to
write an effective one.

Lesson Objectives: Time Needed: 1 – 2 50 minute sessions

Students will be able to:
Resources Needed:
 Explain the purpose of a cover letter
 Access to Choices360.com
 Explain a basic, effective cover letter
 Copies of The Cover Letter Worksheet
format
 Sample cover letters (optional)
 Write a cover letter
 7 individual sheets of paper
Grade Levels: 9 - 12  Teacher answer key for worksheet

Computer Use: Yes

ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors:

Mindsets: 5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results

and outcomes

Behaviors:
Learning Strategies 1. Demonstrate critical-thinking skills to make informed
decisions
2. Demonstrate creativity
3. Use time-management, organizational and study skills
4. Apply self-motivation and self-direction to learning
5. Apply media and technology skills
7. Identify long- and short-term academic, career and
social/emotional goals
9. Gather evidence and consider multiple perspectives
to make informed decisions

Self-Management Skills 2. Demonstrate self-discipline and self-control

3. Demonstrate ability to work independently

Social Skills 1. Use effective oral and written communication skills

and listening skills
2. Create positive and supportive relationships with
other students
6. Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills
7. Use leadership and teamwork skills to assert self,
when necessary

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Overview:
A cover letter is a brief letter included with a resume that introduces an individual to a prospective
employer.

Teacher Preparation:
Gather the seven sheets of paper listed among the resources and write out, in large letters, the following
terms; one on each paper:
o Heading
o Prospective employer’s address information
o Salutation
o Paragraph explain why you are writing
o Paragraph providing details
o Paragraph asking for interview and ending letter
o Closing lines

Gather sample cover letters from the internet or other resources if you choose to use them.

Activator:

Initiate a student role play session with two student volunteers:

1. Assign one student as the employer and the other as the applicant.

2. Inform the employer that he/she is a business owner and needs to hire new employees.

3. Ask the applicant what type of job he/she hopes to find.

4. Inform the employer that there is a compatible job opening within the business.

5. Ask the applicant to explain how they heard about the job, why they are interested and why they
are the right person for the job.

6. Ask the employer to ask clarifying questions.

7. Facilitate a class discussion regarding whether or not the introduction would have grabbed the
attention of a potential employer and how it could be improved.

Explain that the cover letter is going to be the way we “introduce ourselves” to someone who is doing
the hiring.

Activity:
1. Distribute The Cover Letter Worksheet along with any sample cover letters you’ve collected.
2. Instruct students to review the worksheet and sample letters.
3. Read and discuss the sample cover letter on the worksheet along with any additional letters you

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 have chosen to provide.
4. Allow students ample time to complete the worksheet.
5. Instruct students to sign into Choices360.com and click on the Career Planning tab, then Get a
Job and then Cover Letter Creator.
6. Allow students ample time to complete all the steps in the Cover Letter Creator, using the
guided practice on the worksheet for assistance.

Wrap Up:
1. Remind students to save their cover letter in their online portfolio.

2. To review quickly with students, have seven volunteers hold 8 ½” x 11” sheets of paper with the
terms (listed above under Teacher Preparation) so that all of the students can see. Mix the order
of the students (terms) up, and have the class put the terms in order of parts of the cover letter.
Have the students explain the terms to review.

Follow-Up Options:
1. If time allows, have students critique each other’s documents (both their resume from Lesson
Plan 4 and the cover letter from this session) following guidelines suggested in the lessons.

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 THE COVER LETTER WORKSHEET

Name: _____________________________________________ Date:

Part I: Review the information below to use as a guide for a cover letter. Then answer the questions
below.

A cover letter = brief letter included with a resume that introduces you to a prospective employer

Include your home

address and the Include the complete name and job title of the person who is in
355 Great Pine Ct.
date you are charge of hiring people within the company. Include the name and
Fargo, ND 58102
writing the letter complete business address of the company. If unsure of the name
April 15, 2015
to whom the letter should be addressed, call the business and ask.
Be sure to get the correct spelling of the name.
Mrs. Traci Hall, Manager
Mac’s Sporting Goods
800 4th St. North 1st paragraph = Tell why you are
Fargo, ND 58102 Include both a salutation at the writing. Include where or from
beginning and a closing at the whom you learned about the job.
end.
Dear Mrs. Hall

I recently saw an ad in the local newspaper about a job opening you have for a customer services representative at 2nd paragraph = Provide any
your store. Please consider me an applicant for that position. specific details that would
highlight personal qualities,
As you can see by my enclosed resume, I have two years’ experience working as a stock clerk for my uncle’s
skills, and experiences that
grocery store. In that position I learned all about working with clients and coworkers in a sales environment. I have
make you a good candidate
a “can do” attitude that would be perfect for someone working in customer services. In addition, I have many years
of experience participating in team sports. My knowledge as both a player and a student team manager would fit for the job. Refer to your
well with your company. resume; and, if necessary,
include two paragraphs to
Would you be interested in meeting with me to discuss the job and how I could fill it? You may reach me at (123) include all the information
456-7890. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity. you might want to highlight.

Sincerely An appropriate closing = 3rd paragraph =graciously end the letter;

Sincerely or Sincerely
yours ask for interview for the job. Be sure to
(Leave enough blank line include how you will follow up, and
Scott Preston space to sign the letter in indicate how you can be contacted.
your handwriting.)

Be sure to leave “white space” around the body of the letter; white space helps so
that the document doesn’t look too full; the white space around the text should
“frame” the text like a “picture frame”

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1. What belongs in the heading of a cover letter?
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Imagine you are writing a cover letter to Mrs. Jane Kelly. What is the salutation/greeting?
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. If you do not know the name of the person to whom you are writing, what do you do?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

4. What should be included in the first paragraph of a cover letter?

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

5. What should you include in the second paragraph of your cover letter?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

6. True or False? If you have a lot of details that you want to include in the second (middle)
paragraph, you can separate it into two paragraphs so that the total number of paragraphs would
be four. _______________________

7. What should you write in the last paragraph of your cover letter?

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

8. What should be included in the closing part of the letter?

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

9. What should you do before you print the cover the letter, and what are some other steps you can
take to make sure your cover letter is the best it can be?
_____________________________________________________________________________

10. What should you do after you print the letter?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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Part II: Creating a Cover Letter

Using Choices360.com, complete a cover letter to include with your resume. The letter will be
addressed to Mr. Jace Thompson, City Staff Manager. Mr. Thompson is in charge of hiring a
high school student as a city park supervisor for the summer. Mr. Thompson is looking for a
responsible person who would be in charge of overseeing students currently in middle school.
The middle school students will be volunteering time mowing lawn, pulling weeds, and emptying
trash and recycling containers from May 1 to September 1 in the city park. The city park
supervisor’s duties would include the following: answering phones at the park’s office, keeping
track of volunteer hours, and being sure that the students check equipment in and out of the park
office for their jobs. (You would like the job of city park supervisor.)

Mr. Jace Thompson’s address is: 7324 Hamilton Street; Cornelius, OR 97113, and he works for
the Cornelius City Works Office at 7324 Hamilton Street. Use today’s date for your letter.

Cover Letter Guided Practice: Use the information listed above to complete

1. Sign into Choices360.com.

2. Click on the Career Planning tab
3. Click Get a Job
4. Click Cover Letter Creator
5. Choose the type of cover letter that you are creating
6. Complete the cover letter
7. Print or Save your cover letter
8. If you would like to expand on your cover letter, complete the following steps:
a. click Export This in the upper right hand side of the screen
b. Save your cover letter as a word document
c. make modifications as needed
d. save changes
e. upload the ‘new’ version to the Career Planning Portfolio on the Your Portfolio tab

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 Teacher Answer Key – THE COVER LETTER

1. The heading includes your address (two lines) and the date of your letter.

2. Dear Mrs. Kelly

3. It is best to address the letter to the person who will be in charge of hiring the person for the job.
You can do this by calling the company and asking the name of the person to whom you should
address the letter. (Check to be sure you have the spelling of the name correct.)

4. You should explain why you are writing and that you want to apply for a job. You should give the
title of the job that interests you and say where you learned about the job opening.

5. You should describe your skills, experience, or education—anything that would highlight that
would show that you are a great choice for the job.

6. True (Be careful! Don’t make the letter too long! Keep it brief and to the point!)

7. The last paragraph should include your thanks to the employer for considering you as a candidate
for the job, ask for an interview at the employer’s convenience, and state how you can be
contacted by phone. (Be sure that you will be able to answer the phone so that the employer
does not have to leave a message!)

8. The closing should include a closing line like Sincerely, Sincerely yours, or Cordially yours
and your full name keyed below the closing line with enough blank space for you to sign your
letter.

9. Before printing, be sure that your letter is perfect! No spelling mistakes! Also, ask an adult to read
your letter to make sure that it is the best it can be!

10. After you print your letter, sign the letter in blue or black ink.

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