COVER LETTERS for Internships

If you plan to use this assignment to apply for an internship, this website is VERY insightful into the benefits of seeking an internship, where to look for available internships, how to apply and how to write an effective “prospecting” cover letter seeking an internship (select “Ctrl” and the space bar to go to the home page):

Internships

Prospecting Letter

Contacting Organizations about Potential Internships

By Penny Loretto, About.com Guide

©2012 About.com, Inc., a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.

Prospecting letters are used to inquire about potential internships or job openings in hopes of ultimately generating an interview.Since it is better to address your letter to a specific person within the organization, preferably someone with the authority to hire, be sure to research companies prior to sending out prospecting letters.

The letter you write for this assignment must be tailored toward a specific person (or board / committee) and will be turned in through Turnitin external tool on Canvas, so be sure to cite your information.

This link will take you to the page that provides a template and sample letters (including the one below) seeking out internships: http://internships.about.com/od/coverlettertipssam…

Below is a sample cover letter seeking an internship complete with my notes that illustrate what you’ll need to do to fulfill this assignment:

Sample Prospecting Letter

Lucas Grant

415 Ocean Highway Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 11234

lgrant@ocean.edu

March 23, 200x

Betty White

Executive Marketing Director

Greenhouse Marketing Company

45 Blackhorse Rd.

Santa Anna, CA 34567

Dear Ms. White:

After researching a number of organizations for summer internships in the field of marketing, I was especially impressed with what I have read about Greenhouse Marketing Company and its mission to work directly with small businesses to increase visibility in the marketplace while creating an environment where they can compete with larger and more established firms. (insert research that illustrates knowledge of what this company is doing…like a specific small busines they helped achieve success)

In May, I will be completing my sophomore year at the University of Southern California and my plan is to major in marketing.I have a strong interest in business and management issues with a specific interest in the area of marketing (why?Insert more specific info that shows your enthusiasm to work in this field, or illustrates the “strong interest” you claim you have…maybe something specific you learned that sparked your interest in this field in the first place…and/or something about your college’s (USC) marketing program that makes it/you stand out in the education you’re receiving). Through this type of hands on experience, I hope to further develop my professional background in preparation for a position in the marketing field after graduating from college.

Enclosed is my resume offering a summary of my educational background and my previous internship experience in marketing (include something unique you gained in completing that internship that your resume doesn’t illustrate)

In addition to marketing, I also worked as a sales associate for Crystals in Los Angeles (why include that if you do nothing with it? What did you learn from this position that prepares you for what you’re applying for?).I would appreciate the opportunity to further discuss the possibility of undertaking this internship with Greenhouse Marketing Company (I recommend inserting something else about this company that appeals to you and/or a reinforcement of your enthusiasm in joining their team and why) during a follow-up phone call next week.You can also contact me at lgrant@ocean.edu or (415) 324 – 5673.Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Lucas Grant

Prompt for COVER LETTER seeking an Internship:

A properly written cover letter is worth 100 points.

Prompt

For this assignment, you are to develop a three – paragraph “Prospecting Letter” that will inquire about the possibility of obtaining an internship with the company/organization that you researched for your Annotated Bibliography.To do this, you will need to:

1. Use your research to address the letter to a specific contact person.(Also, be sure to use an accurate address for the company/organization.)

1. Demonstrate that you have conducted research by tailoring your letter to this specific company.

1. Carefully follow the instructions for creating a cover letter as outlined by the SDSU Career Services guide sheet.Also, see the sample prospecting letter by Lucas Grant.(Both are located in the Course Reader.)

Note:If you do not wish to include your real address and phone number on the heading, you can “create” an address.

The cover letter must be typed in a 12-point font.

Writing a Cover Letter, Samples & Writing Tips:

What Is a Cover Letter?

Before you start writing a cover letter, you should familiarize yourself with the document’s purpose. A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience.

The letter provides detailed information on why you are qualified for the job you are applying for. Don’t simply repeat what’s on your resume — rather, include specific information on why you’re a strong match for the employer’s job requirements. Think of your cover letter as a sales pitch that will market your credentials and help you get the interview. As such, you want to make sure your cover letter makes the best impression on the person who is reviewing it.

A cover letter typically accompanies each resume you send out which means that you tailor it to a specific audience EACH TIME. Employers use cover letters as a way to screen applicants for available jobs and to determine which candidates they would like to interview. If an employer requires a cover letter, it will be listed in the job posting. Even if the company doesn’t ask for one, you may want to include one anyway because doing so will show that you have put some extra effort into your application.

The 3 Different Types of Cover Letters

There are three general types of cover letters. Choose a type of letter that matches your reason for writing.You may select whichever works best for your purposes to fulfill this assignment:

• The application letter which responds to a known job opening (see cover letter samples)
• The prospecting letter which inquires about possible positions (see inquiry letter samples)
• The networking letter which requests information and assistance in your job search (see networking letter examples)

Most of you will likely be applying for a job that has been posted by a company that’s hiring and thus, use the “application letter” style.

Formatting a Cover Letter:

The easiest way to format a letter is to write the letter first, then format it. Once you have all the content (contact information, why you are applying and qualified, signature, etc.) on the page, you can then easily adjust the margins, font, and alignment. Here’s an overview of each section.¹

What goes in the Cover Letter: Click the “Formatting a Cover Letter” heading link above, it will take you to an ILLUSTRATION of where every part goes in this letter.

• Contact Section: How you include your contact information will vary based on how you are sending your cover letter.
• If you are uploading or mailing a letter, put the information at the top of the page.
• With an email cover letter, your contact information should be below your signature.
• Employer Address:
  • How you address the cover letter will depend on how much information you have about the employer.
• Salutation:
  • A salutation is the greeting you include at the beginning of a cover letter. Hit this link to see how to write a salutation, including what to use if you don’t have the name of a contact person to list.
  • Your letter greeting has the potential to improve your chances of getting an interview.
• Body:
  • The body of a cover letter includes well-crafted paragraphs that explain why you are interested in and qualified for the job for which you are applying.
  • Your letter must have at least 3 carefully edited paragraphs that reflect your knowledge about the company (why you applied to that company specifically), and your knowledge about the field/position you are seeking (based on what qualifications they are seeking in applicants AND what they company is doing or the direction they are going and why that appeals to you, or makes you qualified.
  • While bulleted lists can work, a more traditional cover letter contains written paragraphs describing your qualifications based on what you know about the company and what type of applicant they are seeking.
  • You’ll want to keep the letter within ONE page limit.Narrow margin can help, I recommend using a 12-point, professional font.
• Closings: When you’re writing a cover letter or sending an email message to apply for a job, it’s important to close your cover letter in a professional manner; always thank the reader for their time and consideration.

To enhance your candidacy, make sure your cover letter maintains a professional appearance and offers relevant information all throughout.

A cover letter is not just a summation of your resume. Think of it more as an extension of your resume in regard to specific experience, skills and/or knowledge that qualifies you for the position you are applying for.

Here’s a sample (and there are thousands available online, but this website has a nice array, including templates, to peruse): I’ve added NOTES as to how this letter should be supplemented with some of the research you gained in preparing for this short assignment to make it stand out:

Alex Applicant
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
alex.applicant@email.com

September 1, 2018

Brett Lee
Nurse Manager
St. Ansgar Hospital
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee:

I am writing to apply for the position of nursing attendant as advertised on the St. Ansgar Hospital website. As a trained nursing assistant who is fulfilled by working directly with patients and staff because I enjoy helping improve the quality of life for others, I am confident that I would be an asset to your nursing staff.(in this paragraph, insert something you learned about the hospital through your research that appealed to you and influenced why you applied to THIS hospital).

This past June, I completed my nurse assistant program; I also have a nurse attendant certificate from the state of New York. Currently, I am working part-time at Dr. Ellen Mueller’s primary care office in Smithtown, NY, which has given me extensive experience working with a variety of patients (how long? Include a specific example that illustrates unique experience, insight and/or knowledge you have gained through working with this doctor that is in alignment with the position you are applying for).

In addition, I am diligent about my responsibilities (in this paragraph, highlight a specific “responsibility” or two at your current job that your resume doesn’t do justice to) and I have a flexible schedule which enables me to work almost any hours that you need.

I’ve attached my resume so that you can review my education and (insert adjective) experience. (insert a sentence or two that reinforces WHY you are excited to enter this field, or start this job, or work with their team of nurses…)

I look forward to hearing from you and thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Alex Applicant

Prompt for COVER LETTER seeking a Position:

Due:by December 17^th, midnight

A properly written cover letter is worth 100 points.

• Purpose: To obtain a Position at a specific company or organization (purpose may vary depending on what you plan to use this letter for)
• Audience: This will be based on your research; should be a specific person
• Context: Professional

Assignment:

For this assignment, you are to develop a Cover Letter that will express your interest in obtaining a position with a specificompany/organization that you researched in preparation for this assignment:

Criteria:To earn maximum credit on this final assignment, your letter must:

1. Use your research to address the letter to a specific contact person.(Also, be sure to use an accurate address for the company/organization.)

1. Demonstrate that you have conducted research by tailoring your letter to this specific company. See my notes in the sample above.

1. Your cover letter should be tailored to the specific position you are applying for and should include specific, relevant details from your work, academic, and/or extracurricular experiences.

1. Carefully follow the instructions for creating and formatting a professional cover letter as outlined by the Careers website links provided throughout the prompt.You can also use the sample prospecting letter above as guidance (12-point, professional font; narrow margin if needed).

1. Be carefully edited for grammatical and mechanical correctness and succinctness, AND does not exceed ONE page.

Note:If you do not wish to include your real address and phone number on the heading, you can “create” an address.

HERE IS MY PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENT INFO THAT YOU WILL BASE IT OFF

Cover Letter Questions Pt.1

Part A

1. Nursing entails a lot depending on the nursing level though the responsibilities share a lot of similarities. Some of the daily duties include caring for patients, communicating with doctors, and providing emotional support to patients and their loved ones, among others (Hamric, 2007). Some of the tasks include daily meetings with fellow nurses to discuss the day’s routine and attending to new patients. Some of the responsibilities include providing comprehensive and humane care, even when patients are at their dying stages.

2. Registered Nurses have to obtain at least an Associate Degree in Nursing, even though a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can guarantee more roles and a higher wage. Once a person acquires one of these degrees’ they can sit for the NCLEX-RN test that enables them to be licensed as Registered Nurses.

3. Innovative studies are helping nurses understand how knowledge and skills can be utilized to promote health care in a variety of settings. According to various research, the demand for nurses is set to increase by 12% in the next eight years due to the increase in the number of health facilities as a result of increased health demands among patients.

4. Nurses earn different salaries depending on their responsibilities and the state they work in. They basically earn between $47,000 to $110,000 every year. Depending on one’s rank, the benefits could range from basic allowances like health insurance to house and car allowances.

5. A notable person who has worked as a nurse is Clara Barton. She is referred to as the Angel of the Battlefield (Egenes, 2016). She was a nurse during the Civil War, where she was deeply disturbed by the shortage of medical necessities available to those who were wounded. She decided to take affirmative action and provide medical supplies to those on the battlefield, nursing them on the field. She founded the American Red Cross.

Part B.

6. The Texas Medical Center seeks to be a world leader in life sciences and healthcare by utilizing their various institutions in a common environment. This has resulted in research and health care collaboration that is unique to a few organizations. The initiative is an addition to their purpose of serving health, research, and education of Texas and the globe. Since it is the world’s most diverse health care community, it is positioned to cause effective changes.

7. The Texas Medical Center was founded by Ernst W. Bertner together with Frederick C. Elliot, Colonel W. B. Bates, Horace M. Wilkins, and John H. Freeman. It is currently under the leadership of William McKeon, who is tasked with overseeing programmatic, strategic, and operational initiatives across the various institutions making up the organization. When asked on his response on the COVID-19 pandemic, he stated: “Our business interests and community interests for health are one and the same.” The Texas Medical Center has been operational since 1945 (The Texas Medical Center is an Enigma, 2019, August 28).

8. Some of the obstacles the company has faced include work overload that characterized the organization, particularly during the 1980s and the 1990s. Many people complained of fatigue, and this made the health organization to ask for more money to finance the employment of new health practitioners. In 2016, the organization included San Jose Clinic to its members. San Jose Clinic is a leading charity care clinic that specifically serves different communities in and around Houston, Texas. This enabled the Texas Medical Center to increase its presence in serving the community (13.1 understanding small groups – Communication in the real world, 2016, September 29). On March 28, 2017, the Texas Medical Center was awarded with the Elevate Texas award due to its contributions to the economy of the State of Texas through investments, workplace infrastructure, and jobs. The organization has been instrumental in improving the lives of many people within and outside Texas through research and treatment (Texas Medical Center wins elevate Texas award, 2019, August 16).

10. Other people who have previously worked at the company state that the place allows people to work while interacting with various leaders in the healthcare industry. The working environment promotes a positive working culture that can spur a person’s personal development.

Part C

The information is relevant since I am moving to Texas next year, so finding a medical center that I would at least be interested in applying too, can help me identify some of the advantages of working in the Texas Medical Center while also giving a clear description of what is expected from those working in the organization.

Reference

Egenes, K., & Vlasses, F. (2016). Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield. Nursing’s Greatest Leaders: A History of Activism, 71.

Hamric, A. B., & Blackhall, L. J. (2007). Nurse-physician perspectives on the care of dying patients in intensive care units: collaboration, moral distress, and ethical climate. Critical care medicine, 35(2), 422-429.

Texas Medical Center wins elevate Texas award. (2019, August 16). TMC News. https://www.tmc.edu/news/2017/03/texas-medical-center-wins-elevate-texas- award/

The Texas Medical Center is an Enigma. (2019, August 28). TMC News. https://www.tmc.edu/news/2019/08/the-texas-medical-center-is-an-enigma/

13.1 understanding small groups – Communication in the real world. (2016, September 29). Open Textbooks · University of Minnesota Libraries. https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/13-1-understanding-small- groups/