The document is a comprehensive guide on writing a cover letter, detailing its purpose, format, and essential components. It emphasizes showcasing specific examples of skills and experiences rather than generic statements, while also providing a structured layout for each paragraph of the cover letter. Additionally, it includes tips on tone, common mistakes to avoid, and a checklist for reviewing the final draft.

1. Cover Letter
Compiled by
Dr. Sherine Omar

2. PRESENTATIONOVERVIEW
• What is a cover letter?
• What is the purpose of cover
letters?
• Business formatting
• Paragraph by paragraph
• Things to keep in mind

3. LEAD IN ACTIVITY
• Why did you choose Nile University or why did
you choose your major.
• How did you know you would be a good fit for
NU or for your major?

5. Avoid generic references to your abilities
When possible, tell meaningful anecdotes that tie your skills to concrete problem-
solving activities or tangible business results you've worked on in your career. Any
candidate can say they possess a desirable skill. To make an impact, you need to
show hiring managers examples of your skills in action.
For example, "my skills would be a great fit for your organization" is vague. Amore
specific approach would be, "As a sales associate, I'm frequently required to provide
exceptional customer service on short notice. Exceeding customers' expectations is a
point of personal and professional pride for me, and this is a skill I'm eager to
continue developing."

6. A COMPLEMENT TO YOUR RESUME
• Cover l e t t e r s are a n a r r a t i v e c o m p l e m e n t t o y o u r resume. It answers basic questions about you as a candidate for the job Who, What, Where, When, Why, How
• A b r i e f o n e page d o c u m e n t t h a t helps e x p a n d o n t h e ex periences y o u s h o w c a s e d i n y o u r
resume.
• H i g h l i g h t s y o u r m o t i v a t i o n s i n a p p l y i n g f o r t h e p o s i t i o n a n d w h y y o u w a n t t o w o r k w i t h t h i s s p e c i f i c o r g a n i z a t i o n .
• S h o w c a s e s y o u r p e r s o n a l i t y a n d v a l u e s .
WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?

7. Watch the following video and state the importance of writing a cover letter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZSfMly_Ck

8. Acover letter is NOT a letter any more it is an
e-mail used to apply for a certain vacant post.

9. TRADITIONAL BUSINESS FORMATTING
Recent:
To:
Subject: make sure the job title or
its refernce is in the subject line.
Greeting,
Introduction Paragraph
Body Paragraph(s)
Closing Paragraph
Salutation,
Your Name

10. Get in the right frame of mind
with the 4 S’s
• Sensitivity: Put yourself in the reader’s shoes
• Strategy: Ask the right questions—request what the reader can
actually give you
• Sales: Avoid “I want” and focus on “What I can offer you”
This is subtle: your enthusiasm for the job is a selling point too, so a little “I
want” is OK
• Self-Confidence: Be comfortable selling yourself
Use concrete examples to avoid bragging!
Helpful Mindset for Cover Letter Writing

11. Cover Letter Format
• Use formal business e-mail formatting
• It has to be left-justified
• Use formal, but not convoluted language
• ALWAYS add your personal contact info
• Triple-check for typos
• Have someone else look it over

12. Cover Letter Tone
Formal, Not Casual
“Mr. Smith” not “Bob”
No contractions or slang
Simple, Not Verbose
Use direct, action verbs
Avoid passive voice
Shorter, simple sentences
E.G.
Formal & Verbose: “I am in receipt of your
correspondence.”
Casual & Simple: “I got your note.”
Formal & Simple: “I received your letter.”

13. CoverLetterLayout
• Greeting
• Body
First Paragraph, The Hook:
Who are you, where did you come from (implicit in this:
how did you find me?)
What do you want?
Special circumstances
Second (optional third) Paragraph, The Sales Pitch:
Why should I give you what you are asking for?
Last Paragraph, The Next Step -
A Call to action.
• Closing
• Contact Info

14. Body Paragraph 1
In the first paragraph, mention the job title you're applying for and where you saw the
position posting. Explain your interest in the role and company to show you've done your
research. The first section of your cover letter is also the first impression the reader will
have of you, so it's important to appeal to that person quickly and succinctly.
Opening paragraph example:
"I'm excited to apply for the Graphic Designer position at Cloud Clearwater I found on
Indeed. I understand you're currently adding several new product lines, and I believe my
skills in video and animation provide a significant advantage for creating a successful
launch. As a longtime fan of your products, I'm thrilled at the opportunity to bring my
unique style and passion for beachwear to the company."

15. Body Paragraph 2
Your second paragraph should be a brief overview of your background as it relates to the position.
Include key achievements, skills and specialties that make you particularly suited to the position.
Focus on one or two and provide specific details about your success, including measurable
impacts you made.
Pay close attention to keywords listed in the job description and include those you identify with in
the body of your cover letter. You should only include information about your most recent
professional experiences.
Second paragraph example:
"As the Director of Human Resources at Wes Morgan Philips, I was a key senior leader in the
organization and was responsible for improving the efficiency and performance of the company's
540 employees. Before that, I worked in human resources, equal employment opportunity and
diversity for Jenkins Technology Solutions, Inc. At Jenkins Technology, I developed an employee
retention plan involving a wellness program, an internal training program and a promotions
selection process. This led to a 50% reduction in the overall employee turnover rate."

16. Closing Paragraph
The closing paragraph should focus on another key achievement or skill relevant to
the position. Instead of repeating details from your resume, summarize a specific
story or anecdote that displays you're right for the role. If you're changing careers,
this is a good opportunity to talk about transferable skills or relatable experiences
from your career.
Closing paragraph example:
"Achieving ambitious marketing goals is always a top priority, and I am always
looking out for the company's best interests. I enjoy delivering marketing
presentations to potential clients and focusing on an organization's strengths. My
marketing skills at River Tech helped the company experience new levels of success
and a 45% increase in customer engagement. I'm never satisfied with the status quo,
and I believe that a company should continually look for ways to improve and reach
new clients through innovative campaigns."

17. End with a professional signoff
You should end your cover letter with a paragraph summarizing why you are applying
for the role and why you would be a great fit. Keep the cover letter conclusion brief and
explain that you look forward to the employer's response about possible next steps. End
with your signature at the bottom.
Signoff example:
"Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to learning more about the
sales position and TradeLot. Growth is essential to my continued success, and I'm
excited for the chance to be a part of TradeLot's industry-leading team. My proven track
record and TradeLot's quality products are a winning combination for increasing the
company's market share.
Sincerely,
Malik Rabb
(Contact Info)

18. PARAGRAPH BY PARAGRAPH
OPENING
PARAGRAPH
State the position to
which you're
applying, where you
found it/heard about
it, name drop if you
have a direct
connection, and close
with a ‘hook’.
ACADEMIC
INTRODUCTION
(Used if you are
applying for
something related to
your major)
State the college you
are attending, your
degree, relevant
classes you’ve
completed, and
other relevant
academic
information.
BODY
PARAGRAPH
Connect your skills,
characteristics,
experiences, and
qualifications to the
position and company
as a whole.
Highlights what
interests you in
working with this
particular organization.
CONCLUSION AND
FORMAL CLOSING
Reaffirm your
qualifications and
interest in the position
and company. Be sure to
include your contact
information. Could offer
to follow up with the
employer. End the letter
formally.

19. Final Cover Letter Checklist
After writing your e-mail, use this CAN DO attitude to evaluate your
work!
C Completeness
Have you given enough info?
A Accuracy
Check grammar, spelling, titles, etc.
N Neatness
Check formatting, font, etc.
D Directness
Is the message clear? Is the language simple?
O Organized
Does your letter flow?

20. Dear Hiring Manager,
I am applying for the Intern position at Crane & Jenkins. As a recent graduate of Coral Springs University, I am eager to take on a part-
time position. I am creative and tech-savvy, and I live for creating content that not only reaches a wide audience but sticks with them as
well. I am efficient, can meet deadlines, and quickly create content. Using my social media and organizational skills, I am excited about
the idea of assisting Crane & Jenkins, a place that helps young people live fulfilling lives.
I was recently the Social Media Manager at Retail Ocean, where I managed content calendars, wrote and edited posts, and moderated
comments on social media channels. In addition, I served as the voice of the store, interacting with customers virtually. I scheduled
when content was going to be posted, utilizing my organizational and critical thinking skills to publish shareable content. Through my
efforts I kept customers happy and attracted new visitors.
I have experience with both pitching ideas and taking instruction, and I can seamlessly transition from writing for one platform to
another. I am passionate about blending visual elements with text and can incorporate both into posts. With a goal to increase Retail
Ocean's engagement on social media, I created a new social media strategy. It increased Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook activity by
70% in a month.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you, in addition to learning more about the Intern position
and working for Crane & Jenkins. Varied experiences are essential to my growth, and interning at Crane & Jenkins will give me
opportunities to apply my skills, help the team spread its message, and grow as a young professional. (Mention your contact info.)
Sincerely,
Sofia Flores
(Contact Info)

21. 15 Things to
avoid when
writing a cover
letter
Here are 15 things to avoid when writing a cover letter with tips and
suggestions of what you can do instead:
•Not following instructions
•Using the wrong format
•Discussing why you are looking for a new position
•Using the same cover letter for every application
•Writing without first researching the company and position
•Discussing irrelevant work experience or a lack of experience
•Failing to highlight your strongest or most relevant skills
•Focusing on job duties instead of achievements
•Talking about salary expectations
•Failing to provide support for claims
•Not optimizing your cover letter with keywords
•Repeating information from your resume
•Using the wrong tone or style
•Failing to include a strong call-to-action in your closing
•Forgetting to proofread before submitting your cover letter

22. References:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/w
hat-not-to-put-in-a-cover-letter
Herritty, Jenniffer (2017). How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cover-
letter