| Visual Cue
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Narration
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| Slide 1
Title Slide
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Hello and welcome to this Spoken Tutorial on
How to Write a Cover Letter for a job application.
To type the cover letter, you can use any word processor.
For demonstration purposes, I will be using Google Docs.
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| Slide 2
System Requirements
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For this tutorial, you will need a working Internet connection and any web browser.
I will be using Google Chrome, a web browser.
You can use any other web browser to practice.
Also I will be referring to the resume created in the tutorial “How to Write a Persuasive Resume”.
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| Slide 2
What are we going to learn?
Show the image of the cover letter.
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Imagine you have created a resume and want to send it to the hiring manager.
You need a letter to accompany your resume, right?
We call this letter the cover letter.
It could also be an email that you sent where the resume is attached as a PDF.
The cover letter includes some of the key points from your resume.
like:
What are you currently doing?
The major awards you have won etc.
A cover letter is like a trailer for a movie.
Do you want to learn how to make one?
Let’s figure it out in this tutorial.
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| Show a sample job description for a web developer.
Show the envelope of the cover letter.
Show the email and the paper letter.
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More often, you will be sending your resume to the hiring manager via email.
For some jobs, you will be expected to send a physical copy of your resume.
While the body will remain the same for both modes, the formatting will be different.
First, let us look at the body of the cover letter.
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| Show the job description image.
Show Google page.
Show the google docs page.
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I’m using the job description for a Project Web Developer and Designer as an example.
It is the same example used in the tutorial “How to Write a Persuasive Resume”.
I am typing the body of the cover letter on Google Docs.
You can use any word processor.
Start by giving a file name for the document.
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| For the sample job description, the first paragraph of the cover letter can be:
I have completed my bachelor's in Information Technology from Mumbai University.
You may recall that I have interned with FOSSEE during my summer break in 2022.
I am excited to apply for the Project Web Development and Designer position at the FOSSEE project.
I have used many open-source software during my college days.
I am eager to use my skills in web development and design to promote open-source software.
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A good cover letter will have three paragraphs.
In the first paragraph, focus on why you want to work for that company.
Start your cover letter by mentioning how you found out about this job.
Was it through an advertisement, or were you referred by someone?
Then, express your enthusiasm for joining the company you are applying to.
Read up about the company's mission, values, and recent achievements.
You can go through the company’s website and also look at its social media handles.
Mention specific reasons why you are attracted to this company.
It could be their innovative projects or company culture.
It could even be their commitment to social responsibility.
This shows the employer that you are genuinely interested in joining their team.
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| For example, you can write:
During my studies, I gained expertise in HTML, CSS, PHP, Python, and Django.
I also learnt design tools like Inkscape and GIMP.
Additionally, I have experience with content management systems such as Drupal.
During my internship, I was involved in designing and developing websites.
I also updated the web content.
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In the second para, highlight your skills.
Focus on your skills and experiences that directly relate to the job you are applying for.
Highlight your academic achievements, internships, projects, or any relevant experiences.
Be specific and provide examples to illustrate how your skills make you a strong candidate.
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| For example you can write:
I have attached my resume for your review.
It provides further details on my qualifications and experiences.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the FOSSEE project.
I am available for an interview at your convenience.
Thank you for considering my application.
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In the third paragraph, inform the manager about the enclosed documents.
Here you can provide details on how the employer can access your resume.
It could be through an attachment in an email or a physical copy enclosed with your resume.
Thank the employer for considering your application.
Express your eagerness to contribute to their team.
And request them to call you for an interview.
This will leave a positive impression about you.
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| I have completed my bachelor's in Information technology from Mumbai University.
You may recall that I have interned with FOSSEE during my summer break in 2022.
I am excited to apply for the Project Web Development and Designer position.
I have used many open-source software during my college days.
I am eager to use my skills in web development and design to promote open-source software.
During my studies, I gained expertise in HTML, CSS, PHP, Python, and Django.
I also learnt design tools like Inkscape and GIMP.
Additionally, I have experience with content management systems such as Drupal.
During my internship, I was involved in designing and developing websites. I also updated the web content.
I have attached my resume for your review.
It provides further details on my qualifications and experiences.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the FOSSEE project.
I am available for an interview at your convenience.
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Now the body of the sample cover letter will look like this:
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| Point to the Gmail account.
Mention the email id of the hiring manager in the To bar.
In the subject bar, write the role you are applying for.
Point to the subject bar.
Write the salutation.
Write Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Sir/ Madam.
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The next step is formatting the cover letter.
If you are sending your resume via email, follow these steps:
I am using a Gmail account.
You can use any email service provider to send mail.
First step, mention the email id of the hiring manager in the To bar.
In the subject bar, write the role you are applying for.
If there is a job number, mention that, and then don't forget to write your name.
Mentioning your name will help the hiring manager search for your application later on.
Next, write the salutation.
If you know the name of the hiring manager, mention that.
If you don’t know, you can simply write Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Sir/ Madam.
Copy-paste the body of the cover letter you have already written.
Sign off the email with your name but do not forget to say thanks.
Also, mention your phone number.
Remember to add your resume as an attachment.
To send the digital version of your job application, hit the send button.
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| On the right-hand corner, write your name, address, and phone number.
Left-align
write the date followed by the hiring manager’s name.
Mention "Hiring Manager “ name.
Write the company’s address.
Write "Dear Mr./Mrs. depending on their gender >> name.
Point to comma,
Write the subject line.
Write job number.
Point to the body of the letter.
Point to the copy pasted cover letter.
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Next, let us look at formatting the cover letter for printing.
In the document, on the right-hand corner, write your name, address, and phone number.
Left-align and then write the date followed by the hiring manager’s name.
If you don’t know their name, just mention "Hiring Manager."
Next, write the company’s address.
Then comes the salutation.
If you know their name, write "Dear Mr./Mrs. depending on their gender and then their name.
Or you can simply say "Dear Hiring Manager," followed by a comma.
Leave an extra space between the lines and start the next sentence.
Write the subject line describing the role you are applying for.
If there is a job number, mention that too.
After that comes the body of the letter that you have already written.
So leave a line and copy paste the covering letter that you have typed.
Don’t forget to thank them for their time in looking at your application.
Leave a line and Sign off the letter with your name.
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| Show the image of the printer and letter.
Show the image of envelope.
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Now to send a printed copy , take a printout of your resume and the cover letter.
Put it in an envelope, seal it, write the to and from address, and dispatch it.
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| show the cover letters with for proof reading image.
Show cover letters with cross and
tick mark.
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Remember to check the following before sending the job application:
1. Make sure your cover letter matches the job application.
2.Proofread your cover letter.
Check for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
3. Make sure that the body of the cover letter is short and simple.
The entire cover letter should not be more than three-fourths of a page.
The hiring manager will not have the time to read long cover letters.
4. Share your draft cover letter with a senior or a faculty member and get their feedback.
If you think their feedback is valid, incorporate it.
5. For the digital version, make sure you send your resume as an attachment.
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| Only Narration.
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Once you have done all of these, it is time for you to submit your job application.
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| Show the image of the sample cover letter.
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The sample cover letter is included as a code file for your reference.
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| Slide 3:
Assignment
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As an assignment,
Draft a cover letter for your resume.
Once done, share it with your friends for feedback.
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| Slide 4
About Spoken Tutorial Project
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The video at the following link summarizes the Spoken Tutorial project.
Please download and watch it.
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| Slide 5
Spoken Tutorial workshops
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We conduct workshops and give certificates.
For more details, please write to us.
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| Slide 6
Answers for THIS Spoken Tutorial
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If you have questions in THIS Spoken Tutorial, Please visit our website.
Choose the minute and second where you have the question.
Explain your question briefly
The Spoken Tutorial project will ensure an answer.
You will have to register to ask questions
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| Slide 7
Forum for Specific Questions
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The Spoken Tutorial forum is for specific questions on this tutorial.
Please do not post unrelated and general questions on them.
This will help reduce the clutter.
With less clutter, we can use these discussions as instructional material.
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| Slide 8
Acknowledgement
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The Spoken Tutorial project was established by the Ministry of Education(MoE), Govt of India
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| Slide 9
Thank You
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It’s me Saisudha signing off. All the very best.
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