write Solicited and Unsolicited cover letters, assignment help

You need to write two cover letters!

One is Solicited cover letter, another one is Unsolicited cover letter.

one page for each letter.

And i am major in finance, minor in information system management.

I want to find a job with finance or information system management.

Here is some information of how to write those letter, please read.

While resumes can be carried into interviews, and while they can even be carried into places of employment and dropped off for hiring personnel, many times resumes are mailed. In this current era, too, many times resumes are uploaded onto a job site or company site with accompanying documents. What are those accompanying documents you ask?

And as many of you probably already know from working on your resume rough drafts, resumes leave little room for things that don’t truly belong. It is difficult to address a resume to any one individual or hiring group without adding additional paper.

And thus is the cover letter born.

The cover letter is the necessary document that directs and introduces the resume, and it has these three principal goals:

1)To introduce the resume.

2)To highlight strengths as benefits to the reader.

3)To gain an interview.

But also crucial in the goal of the cover letter is that of “directing” the resume. Each resume should have some contact person designed to receive the material. This person can be the human resources director, manager, supervisor, personnel manager, foreman, crew chief, and so on—but the resume must be directed to a person. Ideally, that person should have a name, and there is certainly nothing inappropriate with calling a company prior to sending a resume to ask for the name to whom it should be sent. In every case possible, get the name and the title of the person who is empowered to receive your resume and act on it.

Here are just a few general pointers, too, on cover letter writing:

1)Double-check names and spelling, especially the name to whom the letter is addressed. Get titles correct.

2)Use the same stationary as the resume.

3)Use the same font as the resume.

4)Use matching envelopes (ideally)—and type the address.

5)Use only one page.

6)Don’t overuse “I.”

7)Emphasize specific activities and outcomes.

8)Use exact, concrete words.

9)Proofread repeatedly.

With this noted, here also are some particulars on cover letter writing. You may also find the following information on the Cover Letter Grid below.

Solicited or Unsolicited?

One of the first decisions regarding the cover letter is organization, but it is a decision that has often already been made for the writer.

Two patterns of organization for the cover letter are solicited or unsolicited.

A cover letter is solicited if it is the direct response to an ad, a request for a resume, a response to some specific job vacancy. In other words, some person is expecting your resume; even indirectly through a classified ad, they have asked for it. The solicited cover letter, then, uses the direct approach in its structure, and throughout develops details directly linked to the writer’s qualifications.

A cover letter is unsolicited if it is sent to a company or hiring director who has not advertised any open position; they are not expecting your resume—they have not asked for it. Therefore, the writer must “sell” herself to the company by creating a need for her experiences and qualifications. The overall structure is indirect, emphasizes reader benefit, and focuses on a strong knowledge of the reader’s business.

Regarding whether one choice is better than the other in terms of what kind of cover letter to write, one may well argue the solicited cover letter, because it is in direct response to an actual vacancy is the better choice. And certainly, that does hold true.

However, and interestingly, in the several years I’ve been teaching Business Communications, I have met at least a dozen or more students who have gone the route of the massive, unsolicited mailings of their resumes and cover letters. One student from last summer mailed nearly 300 resumes, and did indeed receive several interviews, and her current job from just such an endeavor. Now, I think of 300 resumes times postage, and I think that’s a lot of money to gamble. But other students who have done the unsolicited mailings do receive interviews, do get responses to their resumes.

What to Include in the Cover Letter

Regardless of your solicited or unsolicited format, and like all other letters, cover letters are comprised of the opening, body, and conclusion. The direct or indirect style will alter the specific content somewhat, but mostly the innards of the cover letter is pretty consistent in either form.

The Opening. The opening of the cover letter, remember once again to address the personnel director by name. Call the organization or company for the correct name, the correct spelling, the proper title, and the full address of the individual. Don’t think anyone will think less of you for this, for it is a normal question, and it is a responsible move to ask it.

In the opening to a solicited letter, begin by referring specifically to what you are answering. If answering an ad from the newspaper, for instance, refer to the exact title of the newspaper, the issue date, and the job title posted. The same holds true for any other posting; always name the source, the date, and the job title. Should a company’s employee suggest a job opening, name that employee and his/her department. Spend the remainder of the brief introductory paragraph stating general qualifications.

An unsolicited letter begins indirectly, so needs to immediately captivate the reader by linking qualifications to the benefit of the company. Reveal a strong knowledge of the company, its needs, its customers, its services or products. Chief, though, in the opening of such a letter is the goal to make the reader–a potential employer–read the letter and want to hire. As you may plan such a beginning, ask yourself, “What is the one specific thing that makes me the most hirable, the most beneficial to this company?”

The Body. In either the solicited or unsolicited cover letter, it is sometimes helpful to consider the audience of each as potentially hostile–not at all interested in hiring you. To this end, you may likewise think the reader needs to be persuaded–and the greatest tool of persuasion is explanation.

An explanation of qualifications builds interest and reduces resistance. And because the body of the cover letter is not overly windy, it is still vitally important to be selective. Be prepared in the body to briefly discuss select strengths from the three main areas of the resume:

1)Education

2)Experience

3)Personal Qualities and Skills

However, this is not to mean you should cover all three sections, but from one of those sections choose your strongest attribute or moment. Develop and amplify this, connecting it specifically to how that quality will benefit the company. Regarding the other two items you do not fully develop, still state some specific qualification for each. This way, you fully develop your best point and make a brief mention of key traits in the other two–covering the three principal areas of the resume.

As well in this portion, pay particular attention to word choice and vocabulary, perhaps keeping at hand a list such as the one I attached for the Week Eight notes–key words that highlight main skills: multi-tasking, team-oriented, leadership qualities, and so on.

The goal of the body of the cover letter is to reference the experience of the resume, using its vocabulary, its key points, and leading the reader to want to see its details. Refer, then, specifically to the resume.

The Closing. The final portion of either kind of cover letter aims to leave a strong impression with the reader, but the matters of the closing are not fully self-promotional. Here the matters are rather strictly business, but also within the idea that you have written a persuasive letter.

Recall that in a persuasive letter, it is necessary to lead the reader to the final paragraph in which the writer describes specifically what is desired. And what is desired? The interview.

Ask for the interview. Don’t ask for the job, but ask for an interview. Give a time at which you will follow-up–often a week to two weeks is appropriate. But do watch tone in order to not be overly demanding. A sentence like the following may be appropriate: “If I may, I would like to call you in about ten days in order to further discuss my qualifications and possibly set a time for my interview.” This is not blatantly aggressive but establishes clearly: 1) you will follow-up; 2) you will follow up in 10 days; 3) and you want an interview.

Add to this by making it easy to reach you. Even though your telephone numbers and email address may be on your resume, provide it here again.

Close with sincere appreciation.

and here is a example of Solicited cover letter:

July 11, 2002

Mrs. Sandy Morales

Personnel Director

First Federal Savings

320 Main Street

Des Moines, IA52506

Dear Mrs. Morales:

With two years of part-time office experience and a soon-to-be-completed associate’s degree in office administration, I feel that I could be the “well-trained administrative assistant” for which you advertised in the March 26 issue of the Des Moines Register.

Fifty units of courses in office administration have provided me with excellent training on microcomputer-based word processing and database programs, such as those used in your office.Composing and revising business letters and reports in my business communications class, as well as transcribing over 100 dictated letters and memoranda in my transcription class, helped me perfect my communication skills.

Two years of part-time employment in the office of James D. Turner, attorney-at-law, taught me how to work under pressure and how to organize my activities for maximum productivity.I enjoyed the team effort required by big projects, and I was commended for my professional attitude.

As you will see from my resume, I have actively participated in campus and church activities, providing me with interpersonal and leadership experiences that should enhance my effectiveness as an employee in your business.

If you want a well-prepared administrative assistant who cold be immediately productive in your office, Mrs. Morales, please leave a message for me at (515) 630-2204 so that I may return your call and arrange an interview at your convenience.

Sincerely