Sample Cover Letter
(See some important notes below this sample.)
123 Malibu Way
Apt. 324
Malibu, CA 93065
November 4, 2007
Mr. John Jones
Personnel Manager
WXYZ-TV
1234 Paradise Rd. Peoria, IL 45678
Dear Mr. Jones:
As a native of central Illinois,
I have long been familiar with your leadership in
news. When I saw your ad in Broadcast Programming, I immediately
decided to write.
As you can see from the enclosed
resume, I will be graduating with a degree in
Television Production from Smith University in June of 2004. I
feel that this
academic preparation, together with the invaluable experience I've
had at KABC
in Los Angeles, qualifies me for the position of field producer that
you outline in
your ad.
I will be coming home to
Pekin over the Christmas vacation (Dec. 19th to 30th) and
would very much like to talk to you about employment at WXYZ-TV.
I will call the third week in
December and try to set up an appointment. I am very much
looking forward to talking to you.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
.
Mary Elizabeth Smith
enc: resume
Notes
about photos and references:
 Photos
are generally not included in résumés unless you are applying for
an on-air (in front of the camera) position.
In most professions the term "References
on request" is typically included at the end of the résumé. However,
in broadcasting, where jobs tend to be filled rather quickly, some
people feel that the process can be speeded up if references and contact
information are listed at the end of the résumé.
Generally, you will want a variety
of people listed: previous employers and associates, and possibly
a minister, priest, rabbi, or teacher. Be sure to get permission from
each of your references before you list them. It is also a good idea
to give them a copy of your résumé so they can keep it handy.
As a professor, I've often gotten
a telephone call from a prospective employer about a student I had
in the past. Although that student may want to think that I can remember
everything about him or her, an awkward silence on the phone while
I try to remember the specific student, doesn't help that student's
cause.
Notes on cover letters:
- Personalize the letter to the company
involved. Find out who the personnel manager is or the person
in charge of hiring for this job, and address your cover letter
to them. This information is often available on the Internet.
Mention one or two things about the company-an award they won,
a recent acquisition, or a person you met who works there.
- Get to the point quickly. Mention the
specific job you are interested in and then give two or three
reasons why your background qualifies you for this job. This is
not a time for modesty! Focus on why you are uniquely qualified
for this job, and, if possible, cite personal success examples.
Don't overlook volunteer work, especially if it's relevant to
the job you are seeking.
- In the cover letter or personal interview
don't cite problems with previous employers or make sarcastic
remarks about previous work experience. It's unprofessional.
- Sometimes you may to include salary requirements
or salary history. By doing a bit of research on the area, you
should have an idea of how much it will cost to live there. You
don't want to find yourself in a position of having to take a
weekend or after-hours job just to pay for groceries. You might
say, "My salary requirements are in the range of $xx,000." If
you are presently employed, you can say, "My current salary at
the WXYZ is $xx,000." Sometimes a new employer will provide funds
for relocation; sometimes not. It's best to avoid this issue on
the resume.
- State the fact that you are available
for a personal interview. Give your home, work, email and/or cell
phone numbers. Mention that you will follow up with a phone call
to offer any additional information they may want. (This may mean
that they will have to keep your résumé handy.)
Notes on Interviews:
- If you are fortunate enough to be granted
an in-person interview, find out everything you can about the
company before arriving-especially things they will be proud of.
If you can, talk to someone who works there, or has worked there
in the past.
- Arrive on time and dress appropriately.
Although you may find that workers there dress casually, unless
it's an unusual company, for the employment interview men are
expected to arrive in a coat and tie and women are expected to
dress in a professional manner. Once you are on the job, you can
take attire cues from other workers.
- Keep it positive. If you let the interview
drift into negative areas, these things will tend to "rub off"
on you as a candidate. You want to come across as a positive,
optimistic, energetic person. At this point, a large part of the
decision on a specific candidate will rest on personality. Although
you may be understandably nervous, avoid vaporous chatter. Keep
the conversation calm, pleasant, and focused. If you have letters
of recommendation, bring them with you and offer to give them
copies.
- Be honest. Employers need people they
can trust. Being caught in a lie or "stretching the truth" will
almost always get you rejected. Prospective employers are alert
for these things, and they often check with the people you've
listed as references. Be aware of the factors
outlined here.
- Be prepared to back up and elaborate on
everything in your cover letter and résumé. This is generally
where the personal interview will start. Prospective employers
are especially interested in "gaps" in your employment history.
What happened during this period? Couldn't you find a job? Were
you in rehab; in jail; fighting depression? They have to cover
the bases on these things. Terminating employment is difficult
and employers don't want to take chances.
- Be prepared to handle the typical questions:
"Why do you want to work here? "What are your primary strengths."
"What would you say are your weaknesses?" You may be asked about
recent developments in the field and the trade publications you
read. In some cases you may be asked about recent books you've
read, movies you've seen, or travel. Other questions are, "What
are your ultimate professional goals? "What do you see yourself
doing in five years?"
- Follow up the interview with a letter
thanking them for the opportunity and offering any additional
information they might need. Remind them again of your unique
qualifications for the specific job and the various ways you can
be contacted.
Keep in mind that:
- It's easier to find a job if you have
a job. Unless they are just getting out of school, employers are
suspicious of people who are unemployed. This means that you should
not quit a job until you find a new one.
- Don't accept a job unless you feel you
can stay there for at least a year. People who rather quickly
move from job to job represent employment risks.
- Investigate a company or employer before
accepting a job. If the company has a high rate of job turnover,
watch out. Moving to a new job involves time, effort, and expense.
There may be things lurking below the surface that can make your
new job unpleasant, or even impossible. Generally, a prospective
employer will give you a week or more to make up your mind before
accepting a new position. Talk to present and previous employees
if possible-even competitors.
- If you accept the job, get everything
it in writing: salary, starting date, job description, and any
moving expenses that will be covered. The company may suddenly
be bought out, or the person who hired you may be transferred,
promoted, or terminated. You don't want to be stuck after you
turned in a two-week's or month's notice of resignation from your
old job.
- If the new job takes you to a new living
location, give yourself time to get fairly well settled before
your first day on the job. First impressions are important, and
you need to be able to focus on new people and procedures.
Before
accepting a position you may want to study over Handling
a Job Offer.
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