email cover messages take different forms depending B u s i n e s s F i n a n c e

Part II-A: Writing a Persuasive Cover Message – Job Search (ASSESSMENT) (25 points)

Purpose:

To write a skillful persuasive cover message in the job search that begins indirectly, develops convincing reasoning using one or more appeal (emotional, logical, and/or character-based); and closes with goodwill and action.

Before you write anything, you should think through the situation and work out a strategy—that is, how you will explain or justify your decision.

Relevant Concepts:

Planning Your Communication Strategy Using a Problem-Solving Approach (Chapter 1)
Preparing a persuasive/sales cover message for the job search advertisement
Gaining attention, selecting the appropriate content, organizing for conviction, and driving for action

Assignment Background:

Problem-Solving Case/Scenario

Graduation is fast approaching, and you are now ready to sell your working ability in the job market. Besides canvassing likely firms with the help of prospecting messages and diligently following up family contacts, you have decided to look into anything that appears especially good in the ads of newspapers, online sources, and magazines. The latest available issues of large city publications and online services yield the JOBS LIST found in the Chapter 11 – Problem-Solving Case

The Cover Message

The print cover message is much like the sales message (Chapter 7)—you illustrate a need and sell a product (you) to fill the need. Gaining attention in the opening is important because the busy executive has other things to do. You need to use what works best in each case.

Selecting content should be guided by the job requirements. Of course, if you are strong in an area you know is important to any employer, be sure to emphasize those strengths.

Since you are responding to an advertisement, you can address the needs mentioned directly and precisely.

Organizing for conviction means choosing an organizational plan that emphasizes your strengths. You may use a reverse chronological, functional or skills, or accomplishments plan. Conviction is also enhanced by careful word choice and reader-viewpoint language.

Driving for action in the close entails being clear and direct in letting the reader know what action you expect next. Normally, you request an interview, more information, or even an application.

Email cover messages take different forms depending on the document type it introduces. The primary job is to highlight the applicant’s strengths and get the reader to review the resume.

Assignment Instructions:

Read the instructions on attached Chapter 11 – Problem-solving Case carefully before you prepare your cover message for one of the job advertisements listed.

Concentrate on the ad describing the job you would like most or could do best—and then write a cover message that will get you that job. Your message will first have to survive the filtering that eliminates dozens (sometimes hundreds) of applicants who lack the expected qualifications. Toward the end you will be getting into strong competition in which small details give you the superiority that will get you an interview.

Study your chosen ad for what it says and even more for what it implies. Weigh your own preparation even more thoroughly than you weigh the ad. You may imagine far enough ahead to assume completion of all the courses that are planned for your degree. You may build up your case a bit beyond what you have. Sort the qualifications for the job, organize them strategically, and then present them in a cover letter.

Once you have chosen a job, study your chosen ad for what it says and even more for what it implies. Highlight the experience, education, and/or qualifications required for the job to help you organize your application documents.
Prepare your cover message as the advertisement requires. If the ad asks for an email – prepare it in memo format since memo’s and emails look similar. If a letter is requested, please prepare it using one of the letter formats you learned this semester.
Use as much of your real information as possible – such as your degree major, relevant experience, etc. – as if you are REALLY applying for the job. (Real personal contact information is not necessary.)

**Submission Instructions (online):**

Save the file using the following format: Lastname-Firstname-Ch7and11-Persuasive Cover Message.
(For example: Carcioppolo-Joann-Ch7and11-Persuasive Cover Message).
View the Grading Rubric to be sure you have met the requirements of a Persuasive Sales Message Plan (Ch 7) and the Cover Message (Ch 11).
Submit your final Persuasive Cover Message as an attached file for grading.
In the submission text area write the job advertisement letter and title for which you wrote the cover message.

Important Note: Retain the information for this job advertisement for use in another assignment.

Canvas Student Guides:

Grading Rubric:

Review the “Grading Rubric” below to view the grading requirements for this assignment.

Attachment(s):

Problem Solving Case – Job Ads List

Part II-B: Resume

Refer to Chapter 11 Communicating in the Job Search Writing Assignment (Problem Solving Case-Chapter 11 Persuasive Cover ) for which you prepared your cover message:

Prepare the following documents using the same job advertisement you chose for the Job Search writing assignment (handout attached below as well).
Reminder: You answered one of the 26 job ads (a-z) listed.

Attachment:

Problem Solving Case-Chapter 11 Persuasive Cover Message-Job Search.pdf

RÉSUMÉ (25 points) Grading is based on ease of reading, completeness, format, grammar, and spelling

Follow the plan for constructing a traditional print résumé (pages 311-316) using your actual information as it relates to your current contact information, education, experience, and applicable personal qualities. The purpose of this assignment is to show you can sell yourself for a job that you may not currently have the actual required experience.

Prepare your résumé using the most appropriate of the three popular arrangements of résumé information below (See Organizing for Strength in textbook pages 316-319):

REFERENCE SHEET (20 points)

Grading is based on ease of reading, completeness, format, grammar, and spelling.

Prepare a reference sheet duplicating the example in the Exhibit 11-4 on page 318.
Listing three to five appropriate professional references such as, professors, employment supervisors, club advisors, etc.