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ISSUE FOCUS:
COVER LETTERS COUNT
Someday your LinkedIn profile and a digital portfolio might be all you need to land your dream job. But for now, the classic resume and cover letter approach is still the gold standard. Think of your resume as a snapshot, and your cover letter as a more nuanced picture of who you are — and why you are a great fit for the opening. This is your chance to sell the idea that you deserve an interview, so make the most of it. Here’s how to draft a cover letter that will stand out in the job marketplace.
The great thing about cover letters is that you can — and should — customize them for the job at hand. The biggest “don’t” when it comes to cover letters is using the same generic message for each job application. That doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch over and over, but it does mean that every letter should get that personal touch. Taking the time to tailor your cover letters makes them more appealing, for sure, but it also demonstrates that you have the dedication and enthusiasm to complete a stellar project. READ MORE |
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> Pathfinder: Resources and More
Resources for AISES Members
A cover letter is a “hard copy” demonstration of your communication skills, which you can practice verbally by meeting with prospective employers at the National Conference and getting a good sense of what they are looking for in applicants. The next Leadership Summit is also a great place to seek advice from mentors about all aspects of applying for jobs. And to find your next lead, be sure to check out the AISES Job Board.
Online Resources
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Experience the Power of I.
Franklin Dollar, Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy at UCI, rose from humble beginnings on a Northern California Indian reservation with great support from mentors, the UC system, and NSF. Now he’s giving back, opening doors to high-tech research and education for underserved students. Experience the Power of I. www.uci.edu
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Search Thousands of Scientific Jobs
Looking to advance your STEM career? ScienceCareers.org offers many resources to help. Whether you need tools and advice for career development or want to search job postings for your next opportunity, ScienceCareers.org can help with free resources. Visit our website today and get started. Learn more.
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> First Step: Cover Letter Basics
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To begin drafting this important piece of paper, make your first step visualizing your audience. Who is likely to read it? And what are they looking for in an applicant? Because it can help to have a picture in your mind of the person who will read your letter, research him or her on the company website or LinkedIn. If you don’t have a name, you might picture the director of human resources or the likely hiring manager. Personalizing your letter with this mental image of your reader means your message is less likely to sound “canned.” It’s also important to adjust the voice you are writing in to the recipient and the organization’s culture. If you are applying to a tech startup, your voice will be less formal than if you are addressing someone at a large corporation or government agency.
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> Do’s and Don’ts for Effective Cover Letters
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Do
- Visualize your audience
- Find out who your recipient is, if possible
- Incorporate key words from the job description
- Include your contact information and the recipient’s
- Use an engaging, easy-to-read format
- Mention specific examples of achievements
- Proofread, proofread, proofread
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Don’t
- Use the same generic letter for each job
- Begin with a dated salutation
- Let grammar or spelling errors slip by
- Get careless with formatting
- Neglect to pick up job-description key terms
- Include information unrelated to the job
- Bring up salary expectations unless asked to
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OUR MISSION: To substantially increase the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawai'ians, First Nations, and other indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers. |
Winds of Change is published exclusively by AISES Publishing Inc.
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