English 421Y: Technical Writing Online

The format of your cover letter is great. All the pieces seem to be there, your block structure is clean and the letter style is efficient and professional- looking. I like that you've used your resume header as a letterhead. It looks very professional. To me, your letter effectively demonstrates your skill as a writer. It shows you've got communication chops. Your points are clear and concise and your letter has good flow.

One thing I'd watch out for is your tone. You seem to be focusing a little too much on your goals and not enough on Continental's. For example instead of simply saying your are interested and excited about the possible opportunity, tell them what specifically would make you good at the job.

Your content needs to follow through with that change of perspective.

One thing I'd suggest doing in your introduction is subtly working in a description of the position you want, beyond the job title. They already know what the job is, true. But showing them that you do, too, will help them see that you have a clear understanding of what they are looking for. That will make you look enticing and will generate interest in the rest of your cover letter. I'd also move your sustainability comments into the body and be just a little more specific about it.

Unless I read it wrong, your job analysis said you've landed in a supervisory role at every job you've had. You mention supervisory experience in your cover letter, but you don't frame it as impressively as you did in your analysis. You know what you want them to think about it, so tell them what to think about it instead of just telling them about it. Remember: It isn't their job to make sense out of your life. So do it for them. If you frame it the right way, your supervision experience can display your management and communication skills. I would think they'd be looking for that.

Your fourth paragraph includes a very general statement that you have technical experience and personal skills that they are looking for. What are they specifically? You could use this to sneak in key words from the job ad. Your final paragraph is also pretty general. You included contact information, but your closing arguments are watered down. Make a strong statement. Use a little specificity. What's the best thing you offer to Continental Airlines?

My one final comment on content relates directly to your first question. You do need to show them you have some experience with the type of work you'll be doing. Even though you haven't had an internship (at least not listed on your resume), you have taken almost 3 years of classes in your major. You must have done some projects that relate to IT. Talk about one or two of those experiences. Brainstorm and emphasize the aspects that make them relevant (your supervision experience will show your teamwork competence and people skills, so try to keep the relevance technical). If you can't think of any experiences after a lot of thought, then just talk about some of the specifics you're familiar with: Network structure, protocols, whatever they might be (I'm not sure what you are studying). As a side note, you could benefit from adding some of that stuff to your resume.

As for your second question, I don't think you're in trouble with bridging the two documents. You bridge your cover letter to your resume by talking about what's on it without repeating it too much. Your resume tells them what you've done. Your cover letter simply needs to show them how it's applicable.

I hope this helps. I would say your most important revisions are pulling in specific knowledge and experiences from your studies and taking full advantage of the work experience you have, especially since being a supervisor at multiple jobs is an impressive accomplishment in its own right. Good luck.

Format and Style
- I would advice that you include you return address somewhere on the letter, especially if it is to be submitted via mail. I like the header style though.
- The text is nice and flush with the left margin, as it should be.
- I like the style of your letter, and I think it flows very well the way it is written.
- I think you come off pretty enthusiastic with your tone, as you continue to mention the company and how you feel you’ll be a great addition.
- I spotted one spelling error. It is in the first sentence of the second paragraph.

Content/Rhetorical Context
- The letter does a good job of speaking directly to the job ad, and thus lacks that generic nature that employers dislike.
- The author does mention several specific reasons that he is applying.
- The letter does mention specific skills that other skilled individuals would understand, but could use a little more in the form of personal experience.
- The introduction mentions everything sought after, except for the source.
- The conclusion does note how the writer can be contact. I think it ends on a very solid note, and does a great job of reemphasizing what the author has to contribute.
- The most important revision, in my opinion, is in the context. I think the author needs to find more connections to his experiences.

As far as your first question goes, Andy, I would just try to find things that you’ve done in classes, labs, etc, that relate to what you want to do. I don’t think it’s an easy task at times, but if you could just find one more strong connection I think you’d have a really solid resume. Are there any related projects you’ve had to do that could show your experience? Any related lab work?

For the second question, I think you did a pretty good job of making the bridge between your resume and cover letter. Overall, I think your cover letter is very solid and especially well formatted. I would only consider polishing up the content a little, along with a few other minor tweaks mentioned above.