career prep

Q5 Applying for a Job: Cover Letter

16. Career Prep **This Quest is currently being revamped. Please do not use until this message is gone. Our tentative release date is Dec. 15th. Thanks for your patience.**

A cover letter is a letter you send along with your resume when applying for a job or an internship. It's your chance to introduce yourself and explain why you're a great fit for the position. 

While your resume lists your skills and experience, the cover letter gives you an opportunity to show your personality, enthusiasm, and why you're interested in the job. Think of it as your first impression – it's a way to grab the employer's attention and convince them that you’re the right person for the job!

Discussion question to think about as you play the video:

  • What would an employer learn from reading a well-written cover letter?

What is a Cover Letter? (59 sec.)

Task 1

In the Google slides linked below, you will find a job description for a food scientist position and three examples of cover letters for that specific posting.

Review each slide carefully and look for the following in each example:

  • Opening showing excitement for the job.
  • Shows strong interest in the role.
  • Provides specific examples related to the position.
  • Explains how the writer can help the company if they are hired.
  • Strong closing with a polite request for the next steps.
  • Professional tone.

16.Q5 Cover Letter Examples ~ Google Slides


Task 2

Now let's see which cover letter would be best to use. We’ll score each of the example cover letters using a rubric.

Selecting the link below will force you to make your own copy of the cover letters. On the bottom of each of the three cover letters there is a rubric you will use to score each one on how well it met each of the categories listed. The scores for each category are:

  • 4 - Excellent
  • 3 - Above Average
  • 2 - Sufficient
  • 1 - Needs Improvement

16.Q5 Cover Letters and Rubrics ~ Google Slides


Once you have completed the rubrics and questions, attach a copy into the Q5 Cover Letter page of your Career Prep portfolio.

Here is an example page of the Q5 Cover Letter Page for you to reference.




MITECS  Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students, and

ISTE Standards for Students

2. Digital Citizen
c. Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the rights and obligations of using and sharing intellectual property

3. Knowledge Constructor
a. Plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits
c. Curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections or artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions
d. Build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions

6. Creative Communicator
a. Choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication
c. Communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations
d. Publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences

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