Cover Letter Do's and Dont's

Chelsey Duncan, Marketing Intern

2011 University of Kentucky Commencement  

For graduating seniors, this time of year is filled with job searches, career fairs and writing the dreaded cover letters to each prospective employer. In the midst of midterms and spring break, writing a cover letter may be the last thing you want to start working on, especially because it can be so intimidating. As a crucial aspect of any job application, a cover letter can be the reason why you did or didn’t land that interview.  If you’re looking for ways to stand out against the others in such a competitive job market, here are some dos and don’ts to guide you along the way:

DO

• Use resume paper. You may have gotten away with copy paper for part-time jobs and internships in the past, but now it is time to invest in the first thing that potential employers will judge.
• Address your letter to the person who will receive it. If the job application doesn’t indicate who that is, look it up on the company’s Website or call to find out.
• Name your connection to the company. If you know someone who works there (and will vouch for you), mention it. Networking can be one of the most helpful ways to secure an interview and possibly job.
• Research the company and tell how you will be an asset. Your experience and skills will likely be on your resume, so apply these to the position and indicate how you will benefit the company and its goals.  
• Praise the company for its accomplishments. Tell what you like about its mission and the initiatives it has taken to reach it. Demonstrate knowledge of any awards or honors the company has received.
• Tailor each cover letter to the company/position you send it to. Yes, you may use a template, but be sure to customize it for each company. Show that you did your research!
• Request an interview and let the employer know that you will follow-up. Provide your contact information, and make sure that you use a professional e-mail address.
• Proofread. If you used a template, make sure the correct person and company are named in every personalized part of the letter. Double-check your spelling and grammar. A careless mistake could jeopardize your whole application.

DON’T

• Don’t use the same cover letter for every job application.
• Don’t address your letter “to whom it may concern” or “dear sir or madam.”
• Don’t summarize your resume. Instead, apply your experience and skills to the position at hand.
• Don’t brag; rather highlight how your strengths will benefit the company.

If you need more guidance or maybe just some inspiration, then Google can provide a good place to start. You may be tempted to copy and paste a template, but remember to use your own words and personalize the letter to the company.

Also, be sure to check out the UK Stuckert Career Center after writing your letter. Career counselors are available to meet with you and to provide feedback before you apply for the big job.

Good luck and happy job-hunting!

***For a break from all of your hard work, take a look at these sarcastic cover letters. Although entertaining, don’t try at home!

Unemployed J.D. Candidate

Funniest Cover Letter

Epic Cover Letter

The Life of an AE Marketing Intern

Written by Laura McGehee, Marketing Intern

On my first day of my internship with Academic Enhancement, I was simultaneously excited, nervous, and scared.  After I was hired, I did not really know what to expect.  I began asking questions: What would I be required to achieve? Would I be able to handle the workload? Was this internship the experience I needed to take my skills to the next level?

            All my questions were answered when I had my first meeting with my supervisor, Megan Beach, and two of the other interns.  She was passionate about our team, hopeful for the future of Academic Enhancement, and ready to do whatever it took to continue towards maximum growth and success.

            Throughout the semester I was given the flexibility to create my own hours and complete many tasks at my own pace.  This was extremely important to me as I juggled another internship as well as a full load of classes.  With the freedom to create my own schedule, I was able to offer my abilities when I was needed, as well as carefully prioritize my own day-to-day life.

            While I have had other internships before and feel I have a wide range of skill sets, I found that there was so much more to learn.  I created promotional materials using Adobe InDesign and Movie Maker, learned how to properly target social media outlets, and expanded my vocabulary and writing skills.  I was challenged to take on these programs and ideas while being given the tools I needed to succeed.

            Another great aspect about this internship is the people I have met in and around the office.  These are driven individuals with goals and aspirations similar to mine, and who also push me to be better in all of my work.  I look forward to coming to my job and seeing familiar faces that I can collaborate with on projects. 

            With the freedom of this internship, I was able to find my own niche and complete many tasks I actually enjoyed.  From writing stories about fashion, to interacting with students in classroom visits, I was able to hone in on my already existing skills and make them even better.

            This internship is great for anyone who is looking to better prepare themselves for the career world, learn new skills, and meet a great group of people.  I have enjoyed my time with the AE team.  I hope that whatever job I take on in the future provides me with as much satisfaction as the Academic Enhancement Internship.

Pinterest Pointers

Amanda Laborio, Marketing Intern

As classes begin once again, we are faced with another semester of assignments, exams, and presentations. Also, students will once again be turning to the Internet for new and interesting ways to spend their study breaks. One of the latest crazes engaging students online is Pinterest, a social media site focused on inspiring creativity and connecting with friends.

Joining Pinterest is still on an invitation-only basis, but with the site’s growing popularity it is becoming easier to get yourself an account. There are currently two ways of getting an invitation to Pinterest. First, you can visit the site, give them your e-mail address, and be added to a waiting list. Secondly, and more easily, you can ask one of your friends who is already using Pinterest to send you an invitation.

Once you have received your invitation to join Pinterest and have set-up your account, you can get to the fun stuff: pinning! Users are invited to post images, links, and videos to the site and these are all referred to as “pins.” From there users are also supposed to create “boards,” which are collections of pins. If you don’t want to make your own pins, there are plenty of them already posted on the site that you can “repin” to your board.

When it comes to creating your boards, the sky is the limit. Tap into your creativity and come up with interesting, funny combinations to really make the most of the site. Your friends can follow your pins and vice versa, adding a social media element to the site. While Pinterest may sound like all fun and games, I do have one warning. Once you start pinning, it can be difficult to stop.

To utilize the site as a good study break and avoid turning it into a tool for procrastination, it may be a good idea to set some guidelines. Rewarding yourself with 15 minutes of Pinterest time for an hour of studying could be a good solution. Also, if you’re doing an assignment that requires creativity, try using Pinterest to help you get started. Create a board about the theme or topic you’re focusing on and search the site to make connections between the assignment and topic. This may not work for all courses, but it will at least get you thinking about the material in a new and exciting way.

With limitless combinations of pins, Pinterest is a great way to get inspired, pick up new craft ideas, look at pictures of cute puppies, find recipes, and much more. For a relaxing break from the rigor of that calculus homework, start tracking down your invitation today.

Welcome Back

Written by Laura McGehee, Marketing Intern

Another semester of friends, food, and fun is upon us, but let’s not forget the reason we attend the University of Kentucky- to learn!  Classes have changed and a whole new set of challenges awaits you, but Academic Enhancement is here to help with a variety of services to meet your needs.

1.      Free Peer Tutoring Program- Feel like a certain class may be difficult or tricky this semester? Come in to The Study to work with our certified tutors to learn material, finish homework, and prepare for quizzes and tests.  We are open Sunday 6-10pm, Monday-Thursday 3-10pm, and Friday 12-5pm.  Students can visit our website for more information or just drop by during our hours!

The Study has also expanded its tutoring space and will provide tutoring for in the promenade area by the stairwell when coming up from Starbucks. You may also notice the new check-in desk as well!

2.      Free Individual Academic Consultations- Students meet with a learning specialist and talk about topics related to learning and academic success.  Topics can include: critical reading skills, time management, exam prep, stress management, general study skills, organizational skills, and more! To sign up:

a.       Log in to myUK and click on “My Info”

b.      Click on “myAppointments”

c.       Select “The Study”

d.      Choose the type of consultation you want to attend and a date and time that works for you!

3.      GRE Prep Courses-We offer both Math and Verbal sections of the GRE.  Each course includes two full-length practice exams and additional study materials.  In this course, participants will learn how to approach the exam’s structure, focus on test taking strategies, and complete a practice exam and practice questions.

For more information on our services here at Academic Enhancement, visit our website www.uky.edu/AE.  Happy studying and good luck this semester!