The Cover Letter is actually a persuasive document, so when written, you should take that into consideration when considering what information to include. It’s a place that allows you to include information and explanations that are not in your resume (and shouldn’t be). In a way, the Cover Letter serves as a personal One-on-One interaction with the employer when you turn in your application and/or resume. With some employers, that opportunity of contact is something you would never be able to have; so you must look good on paper and leave them wanting and begging to meet you and speak with you in person.

Resumes need to pass a few different tests: The Quick Scan, The In-Depth Review, and Information Design. In The Quick Scan, the employer takes a few seconds for one resume. Formatting of bold, underlined, or all capital words or names come in handy; it helps your Certifications, Qualifications, and Achievements to stand out and serve as an asset to you in the employment process.

The Application Letter is the first thing an employer looks at when they approach YOU on paper. It doesn’t need to be very long (1/2 or 2/3 the page) but the format needs to be clean and information needs to be easy to locate.

When writing my cover letter for Nordstrom, I had some difficulty with focusing each sentence to the company and why I am qualified. In the middle paragraph, Ming and I talked about how I came off as too conversational and wordy with my explanation. Being specific doesn’t necessarily mean rude or blunt, but each sentence has a clear purpose and reason for being included. After reading through this assignment, it reminds me to revise my Cover Letter once again and try to rewrite some weak sentences. When it comes to the cover letter or another document, the quality of the document is most important, not the length. This proves that when the sentences are well thought out and organized, specific and straight-forward, there’s no need for additional sentences with wordy, nonsense sentences to follow. A 4 or 5 sentence section can be reduced down to one or two concise, well thought out sentences. In the past, I have typed out sentences and paragraphs about research or topics in a way that most of us do; we write the way we talk/converse. Then, I would take my paragraphs, group them into thoughts or points, and work them down into a few sentences a piece. It’s a great way to take out wordy garbage and the end product is a strong, confident paragraph.

When you know how people will approach your document and view it, it’s only beneficial to you if it changes and affects the way you write. It can help you to not only save time and effort but also improve success and retention of the reader as well. It was interesting to learn how impatient and habitual humans are when it comes to reading. It’s important to know certain key words/phrases, dominant colors that attract the eye, and formats are most successful. Classifying your reader is important as well; whether they’re Nonspecialist, Specialist, or “In-Between” Readers. This determines the reason WHY they’re reading it; if this document is to teach them something, report an issue that already has a background established, or people that half way know what’s going on, and may have been ill-informed. This would help me know what research and facts to include and how to format the document; if it’s factual and informative, then bullets and charts would help.