1. Center for Language Development
Across the Disciplines
Prepared by Prof. Delia Serrano
Modified by Prof. Natalia Pérez
2. An essential part of
the résumé
A personalizing factor
of your job
application and
résumé
Motivates the
individual’s interest in
reading your résumé
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
3. Demonstrates focus and
eagerness
Guarantees that the
individual will open and
read it
Enables you to make a
follow up call or write a
letter to seek an interview
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
4. Impressive first Easy reading: short
sentence (attention sentences and
getter) concise paragraphs
Simple, states facts,
focuses on message Perfectly punctuated
Brief (never more
than one page) Proofread for
grammatical mistakes
• Simple mistakes can
destroy your opportunity
Formal and clear tone of being considered a
serious candidate
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
5. Demonstrates excellent
organizational and interpersonal
skills
Written on quality-bonded stationary
(cover letter and résumé) to project
balance and consistency
Must be signed
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
6. Heading
Include:
Your name and address
The date
Employer’s name and address
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
7. Carmen Santiago Méndez
Sample Urb. Rolling Hills
123 Borinquen Street
Heading Rio Piedras, PR 00975
(H) 787 769-8489
(M) 787 638-5490
March 29, 2005
Mrs. Zobeida González
Sales and Marketing Manager
JR Enterprises
154 North Shore Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
8. Normal salutation:
* If acquainted with your contact
Example: Dear Anthony,
Formal salutation:
Example: Dear Mrs.Rodríguez:
Dear Ms. Ruiz:
(if marital statusunknown)
Dear Miss Santos
Dear Mr. Soto:
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
9. Generate interest through content
Research your target company, briefly
mention it to captivate the reader’s
interest
Outline what you have to offer
Begin with a powerful first sentence (an
attention getter)
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
10. I am responding to your recent job listing in
ElNuevo Día newspaper requesting a sales
manager for your company.
I read your advertisement in The San Juan Star
yesterday, and after researching your company,
I was impelled to apply for the position of___.
The manager of GPI Paints, Anabelle Ruiz, has
suggested I contact you regarding the opening
for a___.
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
11. After capturing the prospective employer’s
interest, secure the desired position by
clearly:
Stating your intentions
Developing each sentence
Highlighting experiences and
achievements
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
12. Regarding the opportunity…
If you have an opening in the field of …
My reason for contacting you is…
If you are seeking a marketing manager,
you will be interested to know…
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
13. Communicate Indicate that
State where
that you wish you will follow
you may be
to speak with up after a
contacted
the reader certain time
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
14. I look forward to speaking with you and
will call your office within the next few
days.
I hope to speak to you and will call at
the beginning of next week to follow up.
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
15. You may reach me at 787 769-1256 to
arrange an interview.
I feel certain that I can make a significant
contribution, and I look forward to meeting
you at your convenience.
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
16. Avoid over familiarity in the salutation
Write a clear, eye catching introductory
sentence
At the beginning, quote the source and
date of the employment advertisement
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
17. In the body, demonstrate
your skills and experience
Conclude with a positive
statement, and establish
contact
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
18. Dates in English: month-day-year
Example: March 15, 2010
Omit commas before the year when it
follows the month alone
Example: July 2006
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
19. Do not capitalize common
organizational terms
Examples:advertising department,
manufacturing committee
Capitalize acronyms
Examples: SER, MDA
Do not write contractions
Example: it’s, they’re
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
20. There should be no space before and
after a diagonal line
Example: and/or
Percentages should be written in figure
and the word “percent” spelled out
Example: 10 percent
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
21. There indicates location – over there
Their is a possessive pronoun –
belonging to them
They’re is the contraction of they are
It’s is a contraction for it is
Its is a possessive pronoun
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
22. Than is a conjunction showing comparison
Example: older than me
Then refers to a time period (now and then)
Two is a number Example: I have two birds.
Too is an adverb which means also or a lot
Example: I want to go, too.
I ate too much chocolate today.
To is a preposition Example: I went to the house.
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005
23. Center for Language Development
Across the Disciplines
Barat Norte 223 (BN 223)
787-728-1515 ext. 2294
E-mail: lad@sagrado.edu
Web: http://www.sagrado.edu/lad
24. Cover Letter Articles. Retrieved
February 2,2005, from
http://www.cover.letters.your-resume-
writer.com
MSN Careers-Test Your Resume
Grammar and Punctuation I.Q.-Career
Advice Article. Retrieved September 20,
2004, from http://msn.careerbuilder.com
Copyright Delia Serrano 2005