1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,750 [No audio] 2 00:00:01,750 --> 00:00:02,794 Cover letter. 3 00:00:02,962 --> 00:00:05,878 Now this lesson is about cover letter, 4 00:00:06,034 --> 00:00:09,286 that is usually attached with your resume. 5 00:00:09,418 --> 00:00:11,970 Now why do we need a cover letter? 6 00:00:12,290 --> 00:00:16,218 Well sometimes cover letter is very important when you 7 00:00:16,244 --> 00:00:19,734 are sending a resume and especially for those who 8 00:00:19,772 --> 00:00:23,994 do not have too much experience in IT or are 9 00:00:24,032 --> 00:00:26,718 getting into IT as entry level. 10 00:00:26,864 --> 00:00:31,150 So this way you could actually freely tell the recruiter 11 00:00:31,270 --> 00:00:35,002 or tell the hiring manager what are the other qualities 12 00:00:35,086 --> 00:00:39,150 that you have that are not mentioned in the resume. 13 00:00:39,530 --> 00:00:42,370 So there are two types of cover letters 14 00:00:42,430 --> 00:00:44,386 that I will be covering in this lesson. 15 00:00:44,458 --> 00:00:49,422 One cover letter is about the entry level and the second 16 00:00:49,496 --> 00:00:54,942 cover letter is about experience level, and it is for those who already 17 00:00:55,076 --> 00:00:58,100 are in IT or have some kind of experience. 18 00:00:59,870 --> 00:01:02,578 So let me open up both cover letters. 19 00:01:02,614 --> 00:01:05,360 So let's go over the entry level first. 20 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:11,790 [No audio] 21 00:01:11,790 --> 00:01:16,226 Okay, so when you type up a cover letter 22 00:01:16,358 --> 00:01:19,238 for entry level, always start, the first section 23 00:01:19,274 --> 00:01:24,730 start off with your name, your address, your email 24 00:01:24,780 --> 00:01:27,214 address, and your phone number, just the same way 25 00:01:27,252 --> 00:01:29,486 that you would have on your resume. 26 00:01:29,678 --> 00:01:31,834 Then you would type the name of the 27 00:01:31,872 --> 00:01:33,994 company that you are sending it to. 28 00:01:34,152 --> 00:01:37,894 So in this case let's pick an arbitrary name 29 00:01:37,932 --> 00:01:41,352 which is Vandelay Industries, and address, 30 00:01:41,352 --> 00:01:45,690 25 Some Wannabe Ave, New York, NY. 31 00:01:45,690 --> 00:01:48,538 So that's just our address. 32 00:01:48,684 --> 00:01:52,534 So then the next section, that's where you actually 33 00:01:52,632 --> 00:01:56,254 address the hiring manager or HR representative or the 34 00:01:56,292 --> 00:01:58,714 person that you're sending your resume to. 35 00:01:58,872 --> 00:02:02,182 So you will start off by saying Dear Mr. 36 00:02:02,256 --> 00:02:06,986 Russell. Please accept the attached resume 37 00:02:07,118 --> 00:02:09,554 for this position of System Administrator, 38 00:02:09,602 --> 00:02:11,282 if it's a system administrator, 39 00:02:11,425 --> 00:02:14,114 Linux administrator or system engineer. 40 00:02:14,222 --> 00:02:20,378 That's why I have underlined some of the keywords 41 00:02:20,414 --> 00:02:25,646 that could be replaced according to your submission. 42 00:02:25,838 --> 00:02:29,318 So again, Please accept the attached 43 00:02:29,354 --> 00:02:31,366 resume for the position of System 44 00:02:31,428 --> 00:02:35,482 Administrator as recently advertised on indeed.com. 45 00:02:35,556 --> 00:02:37,250 Or if it has been advertised 46 00:02:37,310 --> 00:02:40,620 in some other website, replace that. 47 00:02:41,010 --> 00:02:45,518 Or if you have been contacted by a recruiter, 48 00:02:45,674 --> 00:02:50,940 mention the recruiting company name or the recruiter name. 49 00:02:51,390 --> 00:02:54,118 Next, I have had the pleasure to review the 50 00:02:54,144 --> 00:02:57,182 company's website and went over the job description, 51 00:02:57,266 --> 00:03:00,682 and am very enthusiastic about the position. Perfect. 52 00:03:00,816 --> 00:03:03,170 I believe that my combination of technical 53 00:03:03,230 --> 00:03:07,396 skills and business sensibilities would serve Vandelay industries 54 00:03:07,396 --> 00:03:09,120 well in this position. 55 00:03:09,450 --> 00:03:12,370 So this is how you are going 56 00:03:12,540 --> 00:03:15,470 to put together your first paragraph. 57 00:03:15,650 --> 00:03:18,962 Then we'll have the next paragraph. Here I'll 58 00:03:18,986 --> 00:03:22,214 have to mention, I know that I don't 59 00:03:22,262 --> 00:03:24,190 have the exact number of experience. 60 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:28,094 You see that's where you're actually targeting the hiring manager 61 00:03:28,142 --> 00:03:31,078 and telling him that why he should hire you even 62 00:03:31,104 --> 00:03:33,574 though you don't have that number of experience. 63 00:03:33,732 --> 00:03:37,018 So you're rightly here, as I know I don't have 64 00:03:37,044 --> 00:03:39,646 the exact number of experience that you are looking for 65 00:03:39,768 --> 00:03:43,810 but with the time spent on my lab, 66 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:45,790 the lab that you've been working with, 67 00:03:45,900 --> 00:03:48,540 and helping out other technical issues. 68 00:03:48,990 --> 00:03:52,022 Other technical issues are that maybe you have signed 69 00:03:52,046 --> 00:03:56,446 up for a Linux community forum or any other 70 00:03:56,508 --> 00:04:00,034 kind of technical forums which I would definitely recommend 71 00:04:00,132 --> 00:04:02,494 you that you should and go online. 72 00:04:02,592 --> 00:04:06,720 You have seen people have done tremendous work online. 73 00:04:07,170 --> 00:04:11,074 When you type some search on Google or any search 74 00:04:11,112 --> 00:04:13,250 engine and you want to look up for a technical 75 00:04:13,310 --> 00:04:15,346 article, you're going to find tons of them. 76 00:04:15,408 --> 00:04:17,338 Now how do we have that? 77 00:04:17,483 --> 00:04:21,014 Because people actually have spent unlimited 78 00:04:21,062 --> 00:04:22,858 numbers of hours putting them together. 79 00:04:22,944 --> 00:04:25,618 So I would recommend you that 80 00:04:25,644 --> 00:04:27,529 you should also join those forums. 81 00:04:27,649 --> 00:04:30,718 Anyway, back to the cover letter is that you will 82 00:04:30,744 --> 00:04:34,378 say that you spent, on my lab and helping out 83 00:04:34,404 --> 00:04:38,434 others with technical issues and that can be quantified for 84 00:04:38,472 --> 00:04:41,520 up to two years of actual corporate level experience. 85 00:04:42,090 --> 00:04:43,934 Or if you think it could be quantified 86 00:04:43,982 --> 00:04:47,482 for one, that's fine, put it there, whatever 87 00:04:47,556 --> 00:04:51,120 that you think that it equals it to. 88 00:04:51,450 --> 00:04:53,398 Then you put in the second line that, I 89 00:04:53,424 --> 00:04:56,818 am the "go to guy" for everyone at my 90 00:04:56,844 --> 00:04:59,880 current job, and among family and friends. 91 00:05:00,810 --> 00:05:05,350 Or if you have a specific skill that you wanted 92 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:08,578 to replace, go to guy with something, you could replace it here. 93 00:05:08,724 --> 00:05:12,610 Then the next section, the third paragraph 94 00:05:13,710 --> 00:05:17,786 right here you're going to mention you're 95 00:05:17,798 --> 00:05:20,950 going to write down something about yourself, 96 00:05:21,060 --> 00:05:25,030 your biggest achievement in your career. 97 00:05:25,770 --> 00:05:27,094 That could be anything. 98 00:05:27,192 --> 00:05:32,414 Maybe you have won a championship in sports or in academic 99 00:05:32,462 --> 00:05:35,434 or if you are part of a chess club, anything that 100 00:05:35,472 --> 00:05:40,690 has made you proud, please do mention right here . This will 101 00:05:40,740 --> 00:05:45,418 show the hiring manager that you have worked so hard for 102 00:05:45,444 --> 00:05:47,702 that specific achievement and you're so proud. 103 00:05:47,786 --> 00:05:49,654 So you are the kind of guy who could 104 00:05:49,692 --> 00:05:53,230 work hard and would prove him or herself. 105 00:05:54,330 --> 00:05:57,838 Then the next paragraph you'll say, my 106 00:05:57,864 --> 00:06:00,730 resume will speak about my technical skills. 107 00:06:01,050 --> 00:06:03,094 So that's good. So it's attached, it will 108 00:06:03,132 --> 00:06:04,490 talk about my technical skills. 109 00:06:04,550 --> 00:06:06,482 But here is a quick summary of additional 110 00:06:06,566 --> 00:06:08,938 skills that I'm really good at and those 111 00:06:08,964 --> 00:06:12,470 skills are, you're going to mention strong interpersonal 112 00:06:12,530 --> 00:06:16,574 and communication skills, keen attention to detail, analytical 113 00:06:16,622 --> 00:06:21,914 skills, time management skills, excellent documentation skills. 114 00:06:22,082 --> 00:06:25,658 Now remember, these are a few skills that I have jotted 115 00:06:25,694 --> 00:06:31,726 down and those skills may not reflect how you're good at, 116 00:06:31,848 --> 00:06:34,954 but if you are good at any of these, include that. 117 00:06:35,112 --> 00:06:37,126 Or if something that I have 118 00:06:37,188 --> 00:06:39,790 not included, please include that. 119 00:06:39,900 --> 00:06:42,310 And again, please be honest here. 120 00:06:42,420 --> 00:06:44,294 If you are really good at time management 121 00:06:44,342 --> 00:06:45,994 you really know how to manage your time. 122 00:06:46,032 --> 00:06:48,780 It doesn't really have to be technical. After that, 123 00:06:49,290 --> 00:06:51,898 in the last paragraph, you will mention that I 124 00:06:51,924 --> 00:06:54,418 am very much interested in speaking with you to 125 00:06:54,444 --> 00:06:58,030 discuss the value I could bring to Vandelay industries. 126 00:06:58,410 --> 00:07:00,802 Then you'll say, I can be reached at 127 00:07:00,816 --> 00:07:03,480 the above telephone number or email address. 128 00:07:03,810 --> 00:07:07,030 I look forward to hearing from you. With 129 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:09,982 best regard, and your name right here. 130 00:07:10,116 --> 00:07:12,346 And that cover letter is for entry level 131 00:07:12,408 --> 00:07:16,238 people and for those who actually have somewhat 132 00:07:16,274 --> 00:07:17,950 a little bit of experience in IT. 133 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:20,174 But it's right here in this paragraph, 134 00:07:20,222 --> 00:07:22,786 write anything that you think that 135 00:07:22,848 --> 00:07:24,142 really going to make difference. 136 00:07:24,216 --> 00:07:27,778 This is a really important line of paragraph here. 137 00:07:27,924 --> 00:07:30,514 So that's about the cover letter at the entry level. 138 00:07:30,552 --> 00:07:35,362 Now let's look at the cover letter at experience level. 139 00:07:35,496 --> 00:07:39,346 So experience level will start the same way. 140 00:07:39,408 --> 00:07:42,934 The name, address, phone number and the company's name, 141 00:07:42,972 --> 00:07:45,550 address, phone number and then again dear Mr. 142 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:49,550 Russell, everything will be the same except, 143 00:07:49,670 --> 00:07:52,802 I believe that my combination of technical skills 144 00:07:52,946 --> 00:07:56,926 and experience right here because in experience level 145 00:07:56,988 --> 00:07:58,426 resume you will have experience. 146 00:07:58,548 --> 00:08:01,582 So you'll add that here, everything will be the same. 147 00:08:01,716 --> 00:08:06,794 Now the second paragraph you will say, Attached resume includes 148 00:08:06,842 --> 00:08:10,438 all the details about my career and education background but 149 00:08:10,464 --> 00:08:16,274 here is a quick summary about myself that will highlight 150 00:08:16,382 --> 00:08:18,900 how can I be the perfect match. 151 00:08:19,650 --> 00:08:22,438 And that is now you're going to come out 152 00:08:22,524 --> 00:08:25,618 and say hey, this is what I have that you 153 00:08:25,644 --> 00:08:27,202 might not going to see with other people. 154 00:08:27,336 --> 00:08:29,050 And that is, At my current 155 00:08:29,100 --> 00:08:31,214 position as a Help desh technician, 156 00:08:31,322 --> 00:08:33,866 of course replace that to your existing title, 157 00:08:33,998 --> 00:08:37,538 I build, manage and troubleshoot hundreds of servers. 158 00:08:37,693 --> 00:08:41,038 I provide first/second level of support 159 00:08:41,183 --> 00:08:44,039 to thousands of internal or external customers. 160 00:08:44,850 --> 00:08:46,438 Put the number in so it 161 00:08:46,464 --> 00:08:48,717 could quantify what you have done. 162 00:08:48,864 --> 00:08:53,073 My professional experience includes diagnosing and 163 00:08:53,111 --> 00:08:56,159 addressing complex hardware and software issues. 164 00:08:56,789 --> 00:09:01,534 I also maintain the highest level of 165 00:09:01,572 --> 00:09:04,978 system security and educate users on the 166 00:09:05,004 --> 00:09:06,780 latest system updates and technology. 167 00:09:07,710 --> 00:09:10,190 Then in the last line you'll say, I have saved 168 00:09:10,250 --> 00:09:14,662 millions to my company by introducing XYZ technology. 169 00:09:14,856 --> 00:09:18,322 Anything that you have done in your 170 00:09:18,396 --> 00:09:21,422 existing position that you think have saved 171 00:09:21,566 --> 00:09:24,922 your company money please include it here. 172 00:09:25,056 --> 00:09:28,342 Quantifying everything that you have done is one 173 00:09:28,356 --> 00:09:31,726 of the biggest things that MBA do. 174 00:09:31,908 --> 00:09:33,574 They go to college, they spend two 175 00:09:33,612 --> 00:09:35,518 years, and that's what they learn. 176 00:09:35,604 --> 00:09:37,462 They learn how to quantify and how 177 00:09:37,476 --> 00:09:40,320 to tell the value to the business. 178 00:09:41,370 --> 00:09:45,370 Then the last paragraph you'll say, I am very 179 00:09:45,420 --> 00:09:49,414 much interested in speaking with you to discuss the 180 00:09:49,452 --> 00:09:51,830 value I can bring to Vandeley industries. 181 00:09:51,890 --> 00:09:55,690 Same thing as other cover letter and then you close 182 00:09:55,740 --> 00:10:00,171 it with best regards and put in your name.