SESSION #4: Writing Cover Letters

What is a cover letter and why do you need one?

A cover letter introduces you to a potential employer, so you MUST include one whenever you mail out a resume.

How is a cover letter similar to a resume? How is it different?

Cover letters and resumes are similar because both should help employers form a mental picture of you as an applicant and make them want to invite you in for an interview. Like the resume, your cover letter must be neatly presented and carefully composed. In some ways, the cover letter is even more important than the resume, because it shows potential employers how well you can express yourself in writing.

A cover letter is different from a resume because while a resume provides a complete summary of all of your relevant skills and experience, a cover letter should be specifically customized to highlight the connections between your qualifications and the requirements of the particular job you are applying for.

What is the iMentor Cover Letter Template?

The iMentor Cover Letter Template has been designed to make it easy for you to produce a high-quality cover letter. It has been set up to ensure that your cover letter will include all the necessary information and will be properly formatted. To help you develop your cover letter writing skills, we have created the following assignment:

You will be using the iMentor Cover Letter Template to create a cover letter to apply for a “mock” internship at a record company. Once you have developed this general version of your own cover letter, you can customize it when you apply for different jobs, internships, colleges, and scholarship opportunities.

You can access the iMentor Cover Letter Template -- along with other helpful resources to help you write a great cover letter -- by clicking on the links below:

Materials	Description
iMentor Cover Letter Template - Instructions	A guide to using the iMentor Cover Letter Template, including helpful tips and guidelines for making your resume the best it can be.
The iMentor Cover Letter Template	Download this Word file to your computer, and then use it to create your cover letter. It has all of the sections you need, and is pre-formatted to look great -- all you need to do is replace the "place-holder" text with your own personal information.
"Mock" Job Advertisement / Description	A job description for a “fake” internship at a record company, which you will use as the basis for writing your cover letter.
Sample Mentee Cover Letter #1 Sample Mentee Cover Letter #2	Sample versions of two completed cover letters for this position -- for students with very different skills and experience -- created using the iMentor Resume Template.
Professional Skills	A list of Professional Skills to keep in mind when writing your cover letter.

Agreement:
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