2021 BC - Chapter 13.2 - Writing Cover Letter & Building Linkedin Profile

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NO EXPERIENCE?

How to show you are right for the job


02 BUILD YOUR LINKEDIN
PROFILE

01 WRITE A
COVER LETTER
TODAY’S
OUTLINE
SUMMARY ON WRITING A CV

• Include all fundamental sections


• Explain your background, competencies, passion and future direction
through the Career Objectives
• Include relevant & marketable data only
• Reverse chronological order: Latest experience comes first
• Highlight your skills and achievements by using action verb and
including numbers/examples/evidences
SUMMARY ON WRITING A CV
SUMMARY ON WRITING A CV

• Choose public-friendly title & terms


• There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all CV
• Show your professionalism: Consistently formatted, error-free CV
• Keep everything within an A4-page
• Make sure it is readable when printed out
“I showcase
myself through
the cv, why do I
still need a
cover letter”?
WHAT DOES A COVER LETTER DO?

• Tell the employer exactly why hiring you in a


narrative, conversational form

• Reveal to employers your ability to put together


complete sentences and to sound intelligent

• Provide extra data to guide recruiters in making the


best choice the first time.
A COVER LETTER’S STRUCTURE

BODY
OPENING - Showcase the CLOSING
- Capture attention candidate’s skills
- Motivate action
- Introduce the and qualifications
- Encourage an
message - Show passion for
interview
- Identify the the position
- Show appreciation
position - Focus on the
employer’s needs

It’s a PERSUASIVE MESSAGE that sells you to the prospect employer


A COVER LETTER’S STRUCTURE
SHORT OR LONG
• Recruiters disagree on the length of a cover letter
• Some prefer short messages (no longer than 2 paragraphs),
embedded in the email (the email itself is a cover letter)
• Longer message → more information, easier to evaluate
qualifications and writing skill
ALERT
• Writing a proper cover letter is very tiring since you have to
customize it to each employer’s needs
• You can’t say the same thing to different people, right?
OPENING OF A COVER LETTER

• Impress by personalization: Address the recruiters by name (if


possible), specify the name of the position and company

• Refer to the source of your information precisely.

In response to your job advertisement on YBOX, I am writing this letter to


express my passion and desire for the position of Marketing Intern at Shopee
Vietnam.
BODY: PROMOTING YOURSELF
• Refer to the job title, and describe how your qualifications and
background fit the requirements

Shopee Vietnam’s marketing intern opening is an excellent match


with my qualifications. As a final-year student of International University with a
major in marketing, I offer solid academic credentials as well as excellent
English communication skills gained from our school’s internationally accredited
undergraduate program.
BODY: PROMOTING YOURSELF
• Show that you’ve done your homework: Mention your
interest/knowledge about the recruiter’s business

I read with great interest the article in Cafebiz about the upcoming expansion of
the Grab ecosystem. I am very excited and confident about becoming a part of
the great future possibilities of your company.
BODY: PROMOTING YOURSELF
• Show how your talents and background will benefit the
company

Intensive course work in marketing and management, as well as proficiency in


data analytics, has given me the kind of marketing and computer training that
Shopee probably demands in a marketing team member.
BODY: PROMOTING YOURSELF
• Spotlighting your education and its application for the job

Weak sentence: I have taken several courses at school that prepare me for the
job.

Strong sentence: Composing professional messages, preparing reports and


analyzing data in my business communication and business computing courses
helped me develop the writing, language, proofreading, and computer skills
mentioned in your ad for an administrative assistant.
CLOSING: MOTIVATING ACTION
• Direct reference to the resume

Please refer to the attached résumé for additional information regarding my


education, experience, and skills.
CLOSING: MOTIVATING ACTION
• Ask CONFIDENTLY for an interview (not the job)

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications for the financial


analyst position more fully in an interview. I can be reached at (+84) 123 456 789.

Note: Avoid “I hope” in your job cover letter/university statement of


purpose (weak verb)
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL COVER LETTER
• Don’t overuse sentence beginning with “I”. Be flexible with sentence
structure
Eg: Classes in marketing and branding prepared me to. . . .

• The message tone is professional, but comfortable and conversational

• Like your CV, your Cover Letter must show professionalism and suggest
quality. Use traditional LETTER FORMAT, block style

• It has to be perfectly written – proofread carefully.


SENDING YOUR APPLICATIONS
• Be careful when you use template/website
• Name the file appropriately and consistently. No “CV”, “CV (final)”,
“Cover Letter final”
Eg: CV_Audit Intern_Tram Nguyen
Cover Letter _Audit Intern_Tram Nguyen
• Email subject: Include the position and your name
Eg: Application for Audit Intern – Tram Nguyen
• Send short email message with documents properly attached. Email
etiquette!
• PDF your files
WHY LINKEDIN IS IMPORTANT?

• Network specialized for


professional purposes
• Millions of members
• Research about
companies
• Offer invaluable
resources
• Accessing jobs in the hidden market
• Directly connecting with prospect recruiters
Getting industry updates
WHY LINKEDIN IS IMPORTANT?

A Linkedin profile helps you stay


visible in the professional market
• Allow people to search/research
about you
• Show up first in Google search
• Create your professional brand
• Help manage your network Put a name + company/organization/school
+ title here
Professional personal branding
Actively reach out for job
opportunities in professional
network
UTILIZING LINKEDIN PROFILE
NO YES

• Provide a professional URL


• Utilize all sections in the profile
• Clear and professional
formatting
• No grammar or spelling
mistake
• Spend enough time on
completing your profile
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR
LINKEDIN PROFILE
E-PORTFOLIO IN THE DIGITAL AGE
PLAYING THE DIGITAL RULES: Getting your profile more “searchable” by using keywords

• Include specific keywords and keyword phrases: words that frequently appear in job
advertisement, industry hot keywords, highly-demanded skills…

• Focus on nouns: Job title (Marketing Analyst), technical skills and qualifications
(JavaScript), certification, tool, specific experience (Google Analytics, Adobe AI)

• Use variations of the job title (Marketing Executive, Marketing Specialist, Performance
Marketer..)

• Do not skip the skill section – it helps match your profile and job requirements
automatically
E-PORTFOLIO IN THE DIGITAL AGE

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/h%E1%BA%B1ng-
l%C3%AA-20b776198_uiuxdesign-graphicsdesign-
opentowork-activity-6733205836845469696-0SM-
/?fbclid=IwAR3DdfGFy7anYOCA9cNcGnqxiGePmaUS
ek_DWRqNlGyipg2NnrxeJU-bG1Y

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