Extensions

In this extension, you will think of another job you would like to apply to and research the company.

You will then decide what specifically you can keep from your original cover letter and what you should change.

No matter which job you are applying for, be sure to: Research the role and company, Address the letter to the hiring manager if you can find out their name, Share why you’re excited about working for the company, Mention the skills and experiences that will help you succeed, And thank the hiring manager for considering you.

Begin by opening a new document for your notes.

Take notes on the research you find online.

Look for articles written about the company and information on its website and professional networking sites.

Then decide how you can help the company to meet its challenges and build on its successes.

See if you can find out the hiring manager’s name so you can address the letter directly to them.

Now, use the notes you just took to change your original cover letter to apply for this new role.

To begin, make a copy of the original project and rename it for the new job you are applying for.

Your contact information remains the same.

Type the date and hiring manager’s name.

Just as you did in the original letter, mention the title of the job you’re applying for, why you’re excited to work for the organization, and their mission statement in the first paragraph.

In the second paragraph, discuss past accomplishments or certain experiences you’ve had that make you the best person for the job.

If you are applying for a completely different role, tailor your accomplishments and experiences to the position.

Finally, sign off by thanking the hiring manager for their consideration and mentioning your excitement for the job one last time.

No matter what job you are applying for, end by thanking the person for their consideration.

Your name is also already on the document.

Now, it’s your turn: Decide on another job you want to apply for, Conduct research on the job and company, Take notes on what you found in a document, And change your original cover letter to apply for the job.

In this extension, you will share your cover letter with one of your classmates.

You will then read your classmate’s cover letter as if you were the potential employer and take notes in the document.

Reading other people’s cover letters can give you ideas for your own that you may not have thought of.

Getting feedback from someone else about your letter can help you make the letter stronger.

To begin, sign in to your Google account and go back to your original cover letter.

Share your letter with a classmate and select the permission you want to use.

Edit means the person you share with can make changes directly in your document.

Comment allows them to make comments, but not change the document.

And view lets them see your document only.

Open your classmate’s letter after they have shared it with you.

Slowly read your classmate’s letter pretending that you are the person it is addressed to.

As you read through the letter as the potential employer, ask yourself what skills this person will bring to the job.

Take notes in the document.

Based on the information you read, do you have any questions for this candidate?

Finally, imagine if you didn’t know this person at all.

What impression did this letter give you of their personality?

If time allows, discuss your comments with your classmate and get feedback on your own letter.

Now, it’s your turn: Exchange your letter with a classmate, Read your classmate’s letter from the perspective of a potential employer, And take notes about any questions and impressions you have.

In this extension, you will create a list of accomplishments to have on hand so you are ready to write future cover letters.

Remember that you should write a new cover letter for any job you apply to.

Having a list of accomplishments already created can help you write each letter more quickly and include useful information.

Your list can include: School accomplishments, Things you’ve done as part of another activity, Honors you’ve received, Things you’ve accomplished and learned in volunteer work, And anything else that would help show a potential employer that you’re the best candidate.

To begin, sign in to your Google account.

Open a new document and rename it.

Divide your document into categories for each accomplishment.

Think about items you can list for each of these categories.

For school accomplishments, maybe you did well in a particular course or led a club.

List anything specific you did as part of another activity, such as a sports team or the school band.

Add any honors you’ve received in school or the community.

List anything you’ve accomplished in your volunteer work.

Finally, add anything else you feel might meet a potential employer’s needs.

Format the text and add bulleted lists to make everything easier to read.

By creating this list of accomplishments, you will be ready to quickly create a specific cover letter for any job you’re interested in.

Now, it’s your turn: Write a list of accomplishments in a document, And format the text and add bulleted lists.