Crafting an Effective Cover Letter

• Employability
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• BTEC

Crafting an Effective Cover Letter

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to describe what a cover letter is.

What do you already know about cover letters?

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It provides a brief overview of your qualifications and explains why you are interested in the job.

Ask students if they have ever written a cover letter before and if they have, what they included in it.

Purpose of a Cover Letter

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself, highlight your qualifications, and express your interest in the job.

Ask students why they think a cover letter is important and how it differs from a resume.

Types of Cover Letters

There are three types of cover letters: application letters, prospecting letters, and networking letters.

Explain the differences between the three types and when they should be used.

Structure of a Cover Letter

A cover letter should include a header, greeting, introduction, body paragraphs, and closing.

Show an example of a cover letter and have students identify each section.

Header

The header of a cover letter includes your name, address, phone number, and email address.

Explain the importance of including accurate contact information.

Greeting

The greeting of a cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager or recruiter.

Discuss the importance of addressing the letter to a specific person and how to find that information.

Introduction

The introduction of a cover letter should include the position you are applying for and a brief explanation of why you are interested in the job.

Ask students to brainstorm ways to make their introduction stand out.

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of a cover letter should highlight your qualifications and provide examples of how you meet the job requirements.

Discuss the importance of tailoring the cover letter to the job description and how to use keywords.

Closing

The closing of a cover letter should include a call to action, thanking the hiring manager for their time and consideration.

Ask students to come up with a strong closing statement.

Proofreading and Editing

Always proofread and edit your cover letter to ensure it is error-free and professional.

Provide tips for proofreading and editing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It introduces yourself, highlights your qualifications, and expresses your interest in the job.

Review the main points of the lesson and ask students to reflect on what they have learned.

Produce a formal covering letter in an appropriate format, which meets accepted conventions in language structures and register.

3.3-Adapt the letter appropriately for both a direct and a speculative approach

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.