Unit 2
Creating a Cover Letter for a profession related to the tourism sector
What is…Cover Letter
There are situations where the company looking for workers and in the field of tourism put themselves to the candidates for an open position to send not only a CV but also a cover letter as a part of the application process. In essence, the cover letter also presents professional qualities and knowledge and previous experience, but also clearly emphasizes that the job seeker is suitable for the job presented, how he/she can motivate the employer to choose them precisely and accordingly to appear for a face-to-face job interview. A cover letter is a great way to demonstrate why exactly our application is the most suitable and meets the demand of the organization. The key to writing a cover letter is mostly in demonstrating through it how our professional qualities, previous work experience and education fits into the organization's policy and culture.
The cover letter its specially created for one job application. First step before starting to write is to have a good and detailed research about the company and the position which we are applying for. Starting with that information it will be useful to do precisely the next steps – answering the question why we are perfect for that open position. After that research and how the job offers its present or post we will know how to reply.
The general principle is that the length of the cover letter should not exceed one page and should consist of 3 paragraphs - introduction, presentation, and conclusion. In your cover letter, you should include two main topics: why you are the ideal candidate for the job and why you are motivated about working for the company you are applying to. Most of the content of your cover letter should be fact-based, without unnecessary words and generalizations.
Summary:
- Research the company
- Follow the tone of the information
- Why you're the ideal candidate
- Why you're motivated
Golden rules
- Use a formal, polite tone and make sure you don't make any spelling mistakes.
- Use positive phrases like 'I have' and 'I can ‘avoid weak words like 'some knowledge' or 'fairly experienced'.
- Avoid starting each sentence with 'I'.
- Follow the golden rules in unit 1 for layout.
Cover letter /// jobseeker /// professional expertise /// customer service experience /// communicative skills /// exceptional personalized customer service /// attention to detail /// multitasking /// dispute resolution /// teamwork /// stressful situations /// fluent knowledge of
Example:
Mr. /Mrs. /Ms. ………
I’m writing to apply for the waiter position opening at Famous Restaurant. Famous Restaurant’s reputation for excellence is based on its passion to deliver the highest quality product and service, every time. I have believed my twelve-year experience at different restaurants and my professional expertise aligns closely to responsibilities outlined in your job advertisement and will contribute to your success.
In my role as waiter, I can provide strong communicative skills, exceptional personalized customer service, attention to detail, multitasking, dispute resolution, good teamwork, precise work in stressful situations and fluent knowledge of English and French.
I’d be honored to apply my customer service experience and excellent communication skills towards maximizing Famous Restaurant’s profits and driving client satisfaction.
I can be reached every evening from 4 pm-8.30 pm via home phone or at any time with my email address listed below.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Phone number
Email address
Crafting Your Path to Success:
Job Application Strategies and Cover Letters for Various Professions in the Tourism Sector
Exercise 1: Cover Letter Detective
Objective: Explore different cover letters and identify their key elements for jobs in the tourism sector.
Instructions:
Divide into small groups and assign each group a cover letter (cook, bakery/confectioner, waiter/bartender, catering, animators, hotel administrators/receptionist, travel agent/tour guide).
Read the cover letter together and discuss its strengths and weaknesses.
Identify important parts of the cover letter, such as the introduction, skills, experiences, and conclusion.
Share your findings with the class and discuss what makes an effective cover letter.
Exercise 2: Customized Cover Letter Writing
Objective: Write a personalized cover letter for your dream job in the tourism sector.
Instructions:
Choose a profession from the tourism sector that you're interested in (e.g., tour guide, hotel receptionist, baker).
Imagine a job posting for that profession with specific requirements and skills.
Write a cover letter tailored to that job posting, highlighting your relevant skills and experiences.
Share your cover letter with your classmates and receive feedback to improve it further.
Exercise 3: Cover Letter Feedback Workshop
Objective: Help your peers improve their cover letters through constructive feedback.
Instructions:
Pair up with a classmate and exchange your cover letters.
Read and analyze each other's cover letters carefully.
Provide positive feedback on what you liked and offer suggestions for improvement.
Discuss your feedback with your partner and make necessary changes to your cover letter.
Exercise 4: The Cover Letter Challenge
Objective: Test your cover letter skills in a simulated job application process.
Instructions:
The teacher will provide fictional job postings for different tourism professions.
Choose a profession and imagine applying for that job.
Write a cover letter tailored to the job posting, showcasing your qualifications and enthusiasm.
The teacher will act as the employer and provide feedback or invite you for a "mock interview."