DUE IN 20 HOURS
Crafting an Effective Cover Letter
Cover letters are recommended and, in some instances, required for job applications. If you want to stand out from other candidates, you will want to write a unique cover letter for each application you submit. Cover letters allow you to clarify, detail, and expand upon your most relevant skills and competencies. In addition, a cover letter allows you to showcase your written communication skills. The goal is to tailor the body of your cover letter to the position you seek.
To prepare for the assignment,
- Explore the components of a cover letter by viewing the following sources:
- For step-by-step instructions for creating a cover letter, please use the Cover Letter (Links to an external site.) resource to see additional ways to format your cover letter.
- For more in-depth guidance for writing a cover letter, please watch the Career Jump Start Series Part 1: Developing a Professional Cover Letter and Resume (Links to an external site.) webinar.
- Determine which of the positions you are applying for at the Multigenerational Center by completing the Multigenerational Center (Links to an external site.) interactivity.
- Using the job description listed in the Multigenerational Center Job Board (Links to an external site.), identify three skills or qualifications that match your background. You must craft your letter to reflect one of the positions listed in your respective program in the Multigenerational Center Job Board.
In your assignment,
- Create a cover letter using the format suggestions from both the webinar and cover letter sample. At a minimum, your cover letter assignment must
- Include a separate title page.
- Address your letter to the Center Director, Dr. Tony Farrell.
- Include a statement of the job title for the Multigenerational Center Job Board (Links to an external site.) and your interest in it.
- Identify three matching skills and/or competencies you would like to highlight for the center director that are mentioned in the job description that you possess.
- Identify two additional skills and/or competencies that are not mentioned in the job description that you would bring to the table.
- Explain why you would be a good fit for the position at the Multigenerational Center.
- Create a one-page reflective response that includes the following:
- Describe why you did or did not find this assignment beneficial.
- Identify at least one thing that you wish you could add to your cover letter, but you don’t think you should add.
- Identify what you would like to do as professional development to be able to add to your cover letter.
- Explain whether or not you think you will be able to use this letter as you apply for jobs after graduation.
- Identify at least one question you would like your instructor to answer about applying for jobs.
- Include one scholarly source to support your ideas and use APA Style (Links to an external site.) as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft Word (Links to an external site.) resource.
Required Resources
Text
Auger, H. A., Connell, C. M., Garten, A. A., Hanson, A., & Wheatley, A. C. (2014). Writing for life: Public, personal, and professional writing. Retrieved from https://content.uagc.edu/
- Section 6.2: Writing from the Outside: Strategies for a Successful Job Search
Articles
Frost, A. (n.d.). 5 Templates that’ll make writing the perfect LinkedIn profile a breeze (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-templates-thatll-make-writing-the-perfect-linkedin-summary-a-breeze
- This article provides information about creating Linkedin summaries and will assist you in your Introduction and Professional Bio discussion this week.
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Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)
Han, E. (2019, September 12). Tips for writing a great LinkedIn summary with examples (Links to an external site.). The Balance Careers. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/good-linkedin-summary-with-examples-4126809
- This article provides information about writing Linkedin profile summaries with focus on audience and keywords, so they get noticed. This information will assist you in your Introduction and Professional Bio discussion this week.
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Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)
LinkedIn. (n.d.). LinkedIn profile checklist (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://university.linkedin.com/content/dam/university/global/en_US/site/pdf/LinkedIn_Sample_Profile_onesheet-David.pdf
- This article provides information about the value of building a complete LinkedIn profile and will assist you in your Introduction and Professional Bio discussion this week.
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Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)
Multimedia
Lastrella-Quicho, G., & Lewis, G. (2017). Career jump start series part 1: Developing a professional cover letter and resume (Links to an external site.) [Webinar]. Kaltura. Retrieved from https://ashford.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Career+Jump+Start+Series+Part+1A+Developing+a+Professional+Cover+Letter+and+Resume/0_s39kvfmy
- This webinar provides information from University of Arizona Global Campus Career Services about writing an effective resume and will assist you in your Resume Peer Review discussion this week.
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University of Arizona Global Campus. (2017). Multigenerational Center activity (Links to an external site.) [Interactivity]. Retrieved from https://content.bridgepointeducation.com/curriculum/file/332028ef-0463-476a-ac0f-eea4eb6f412d/1/EDU499_WEEK_01_MULTIGEN_CTR_SCORM.zip/story.html
- This interactive provides information about the Multigenerational Center. You will tour the center and learn about the opportunities that the Center can offer you as a recent graduate. This interactive will assist you with the Resume Peer Review discussion as well as components of your Workshop Plan assignment.
University of Arizona Global Campus. (2017). Multigenerational Center Job Board (Links to an external site.) [Interactivity]. Canvas@UAGC. https://login.uagc.edu
- This interactive provides information about the positions available at the University of Arizona Global Campus Multigenerational Center. You will tour the center and learn about the opportunities that the Center can offer you as a recent graduate. This interactive will assist you with choosing a position to complete the Resume Peer Review discussion, your Week 2 assignment, as well as components of your Workshop Plan assignment.
Recommended Resources
Book
London, M., & Mone, E. (2016). Leadership for today and the future (2nd ed.). Retrieved from https://content.uagc.edu/
- Chapter 2: Self-Leadership
- This chapter provides supplemental material for the Resume Discussion in Week 1.
Article
Reilly, K. (2016, July 16). 10 LinkedIn Profile Summaries That We Love (And How to Boost Your Own) (Links to an external site.). LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/linkedin-best-practices/2016/7-linkedin-profile-summaries-that-we-love-and-how-to-boost-your-own
- This article provides information on how to utilize LinkedIn to advance your career and may assist you in your Introduction and Professional Bio discussion this week.
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Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)
Web Page
Red Mountain Multigenerational Center. (Links to an external site.) (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mesaparks.com/parks-facilities/recreation-centers/red-mountain-multigenerational-center
- This web page provides information about the Mesa, Arizona Multigenerational Center and may assist you in your Resume Peer Review discussion and your Crafting an Effective Cover Letter assignment this week. In addition, it will be a viable resource for your Final Project.
Accessibility Statement (Links to an external site.)
Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)
Supplemental Material
University of Arizona Global Campus Career Services. (n.d.). Compare and contrast resumes markup download [PDF]. Canvas@UAGC. https://login.uagc.edu
- This sample provides a resume and edited improvements and may assist you in creating your resume for your Resume Peer Review discussion this week.