Summary of Aspire Professional Development- Cover Letter Best Practices

Main Ideas and Concepts

• Tailoring Your Cover Letter:
  • Customize your Cover Letter for each specific job application.
  • Avoid using a generic letter; it should reflect your understanding of the company and the role.
• Research and Connections:
  • Proactively research the company and its culture.
  • Build connections with current or former employees to gain insights.
• Format and Tone:
  • Use the appropriate format and maintain a professional tone.
  • Proofread your drafts to eliminate errors.
• Online Resources:
  • Utilize Grammar Checking Tools and Sample Cover Letters available online for guidance.
• Examples of Poor vs. Improved Practices:
  • Generic Openings: Avoid phrases like "To whom it may concern." Instead, use the hiring manager's name or "Dear Hiring Manager."
  • Lack of Confidence: Don't highlight a lack of experience. Instead, emphasize transferable skills (e.g., Communication, Project Management).
  • Contextual Details: Provide context about your previous roles rather than repeating resume bullet points.
  • Call to Action: Maintain a formal yet enthusiastic tone; avoid informal elements like emojis and excessive exclamation points.

Methodology/Instructions

• Steps to Write an Effective Cover Letter:
  • Research the company and position.
  • Tailor the Cover Letter to the specific job.
  • Use a professional greeting (e.g., "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name]").
  • Highlight transferable skills relevant to the job.
  • Provide context for your experiences rather than just listing them.
  • Maintain a formal tone while expressing enthusiasm.
  • Proofread for errors and clarity.
  • Utilize online resources for additional support.

Speakers or Sources Featured

• Jingen, MBA candidate at Harvard Business School.

Notable Quotes

— 00:13 — « The key takeaway here is to truly tailor your cover letter to the specific job that you are applying to. »

— 00:27 — « Nobody would want to read a generic letter that doesn't mean much to the company or worse doesn't even match the skill sets that they need. »

— 02:00 — « Instead of a generic way of just saying that you want to apply for the position, you can add a personal touch and share your motivations to apply for the role. »

— 02:26 — « This is just a way that kind of shows less confidence in the role itself. »

— 03:38 — « We want to be formal but not too formal in that you want to also convey some level of enthusiasm. »

Category

Educational

Video