DSpace at Agnes Scott College

Agnes Scott College Office of Internship and Career Development

  
Cover Letter Writing Guide – 2018-2019 
What is a cover letter?  
A cover letter is a one-page letter used to state your interest in a particular position, why you are a great fit for it, and request 
an interview. In contrast to a personal statement, a cover letter should be focused mostly on how your skills / knowledge / 
experiences relate to the needs for the position (>90%), rather than how the opportunity would benefit you. The cover letter:  
• Should be positive, clear, succinct, error-free and relevant to the requirements of desired position/opportunity 
• Serves as a writing sample so proper formatting, grammar, spelling and punctuation are critical 
• Should motivate and persuade the reader to reach out for an interview to learn more about you 
Is a cover letter required? 
The only time you should not include a cover letter is when a job or internship posting specifically states not to, which is rare. 
Even if the posting does not specifically require one, a cover letter is good way to distinguish yourself from other applicants.  
It is imperative that you tailor each cover letter to the position/opportunity you are seeking. By relating your 
knowledge/experiences to the qualifications of the position, you indicate respect for the organization and the reader’s time. 
Cover letter Basics 
As professional correspondence, a cover letter needs to conform to an appropriate block style format – left justified and 
single spaced except for a double space between paragraphs. 
• Create a “letterhead template” with your name and contact information. (See sample on page 2.)  
- Use an easy to read font that matches your resume in 11 or 12 point. 
• Use accurate contact information. List an email and phone that you check and use regularly. Make sure you 
have a professional email and voicemail greeting and that you answer your phone professionally. 
• Margins should be no smaller than .8 inches – the same as your resume. 
• Use a professional salutation: “Dear Dr. Last Name, Mr. ___,  or Ms. ____:” If the posting says “send resumes to 
tdavis@company” or “apply to “HR Director”, visit the organization’s website or search LinkedIn to identify their full 
name. If you still cannot find a name, use “Dear Hiring Manager,” 
• Vary sentence structure so every sentence doesn’t begin with “I.” 
• Proof, proof, and proof again.  Use grammarly.com or another service if you are not a good proofreader.  
• PDF your documents to preserve formatting in transit (unless application specifically asks for a Word document). 
• Include your cover letter with your resume (in the same attachment or as the body of the email). 
Preparing to Write Your Cover Letter (See also the outline for a cover letter on page 2.) 
• Thoroughly review the position description and take note of top qualifications and preferred ones. 
(If there are terms you don’t understand, check reputable sources online or ask the Career Development Office.) 
• Make a list of times when you gained/demonstrated these qualifications in courses, clubs, internships, etc.  
• Visit the organization’s website to better understand their goals, products/services, staffing structure, etc.  
Don’ts: 
• Don’t mention any experience you feel you are lacking. 
• Avoid overused phrases/words like “passion”, “at your earliest convenience” or “I desire to join your team”. 
• Avoid exclamation marks, humor, slang, exaggeration, abbreviations or smiley faces.  
  
Scottie Smith 
ssmith@agnesscott.edu    404.989.7000 
 
 
 
Month Day, Year (for example:  May 3, 2018) 
 
Dr./Mr./Ms. First and Last Name 
Title 
Company/Organization Name 
Organization Street Address 
City, ST Zip Code 
 
Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Last name, or Dear Hiring Manager,  
 
Introductory Paragraph #1:  (3-4 sentences) 
• State Position you are applying for and how you learned of it (e.g. Professor ____, former intern, Agnes Scott jobs 
board, etc.) 
o Note: Marketing, communications and writing positions often value a creative, but still relevant, opening. 
For example, if the role is to be part of a sales team, the applicant might open with something about their 
competitive spirit or history in team sports. 
• Briefly state why you are interested in this position 
• State top 2-3 reasons you are a good fit for the position (your Topic Sentence) 
 
Supporting Paragraph #2:  (5-6 sentences) 
• Support your topic sentence by highlighting 2-3 of your best examples of academic, campus/service or 
internship/work experience and explain how they relate to the main requirements of position to which you are 
applying 
• Also describe any skills, knowledge or experience you have that relates to the employer’s preferred qualification(s) 
for the position 
• Elaborate on, as opposed to repeat, details from your resume 
 
Closing paragraph #3:  (3-4 sentences)  
• Restate your interest in the position 
o Note: It is most effective to state a reason that is beneficial to both parties. So, for example, instead of “I 
believe this job will be good experience for my application for graduate school”, you could say “I am 
interested in further developing my experience in applied math.” 
• Indicate your resume is attached for their review (and any other materials they require.)  
• Encourage them to reach out to you with questions or to arrange an interview  
• Express thanks for their consideration 
 
Sincerely,  
 
 
Your First and Last Name 
 
 


Cover Letter Writing Guide

Agnes Scott College Office of Residence Life

Housing Selection Guide

Internship and Research Sites (*recent Scottie sites)  
 
Major in German Studies 
Contact The Office of Internship and Career Development for more information. 
Students graduating with a German major from Agnes Scott College will 
be able to demonstrate advanced and effective skills in writing, reading, 
and speaking German; demonstrate the knowledge of the culture(s) of 
German-speaking countries; engage at an advanced level with cultural, 
historical, and socio-political topics as they relate to the German 
speaking countries; and demonstrate knowledge of methods and 
approaches of current interdisciplinary research in German Studies. 
Seek out opportunities to develop 
these skills and experiences:  
Career Fields 
Content Management (German)  
International Marketing 
International Lawyer 
International Sales 
Teaching 
Tourism 
Translation 
Campus & Community Involvement 
 Get involved during your undergraduate career, both on     
campus and in the local community:  
American Council on Germany 
Cultural Vistas 
German American Chamber of Commerce in the Southern US, Inc. 
Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta / German Cultural Center*  
EVS Translations 
German Consulate General Atlanta 
German School of Atlanta 
Maufschmidt GmbH 
Daimler/Mercedes-Benz 
Porsche Atlanta 
 
Learning Beyond the 
Classroom 
Research & Analysis 
 Archival research 
 Literary and cultural analysis 
Communication & Teamwork 
 Written and oral communication in Ger-
man and English 
 Editing and proofing 
 Ability to work independently, as well as, 
in team 
Applied Knowledge and Skills 
 Exposure to native speakers, accents, and 
dialects 
 Negotiating Global and Intercultural     
Settings 
 Teaching/facilitating groups 
Campus Involvement 
Model United Nations 
German Department Tutor 
Center for Writing & Speaking  
Tutor 
 
Community Engagement 
Global Village Project 
Global Council for International 
Visitors  
German Tutoring  
 
  
  
  
 
Build your career literacy and applied knowledge by follow-
ing industry groups and news. Join professional associations 
as a student member to attend events highlighting industry 
news and professional networking. Ideas include:  
American Council of Germany 
German Studies Association 
IEEE Germany Student              
Conference 
Iasgp.org/
index.asp 
Updated  5/10/18 
German Teacher Assistant 
International Sales Associate 
German Copywriter Assistant 
Travel Coordinator (German) 
Alumnae in the Workplace 
Entry - Level  Mid - Career*  Late - Career * 
German Teacher  
International Sales Manager 
German Copywriter 
Travel Office Manager 
(German) 
German Professor 
International Sales Director 
German Editor 
Travel Consultant  (German) 
 
Unity World Headquarters 
Program Management 
 
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Counsellor 
 
DeKalb County Schools 
Teaching 
 
K Squared Philanthropy Group 
Nonprofit Consulting 
 
Webster University, Vienna 
Admissions and Recruitment 
 
The Globalist 
Editing 
 
Unity World Headquarters 
Project Manager 
 
Waldorf School of Atlanta 
Teaching 
 
Albermarle Country 
Public Service Fellowship 
 
Moravia 
Linguistic Software Testing 
 
Fulbright Austria 
Keeping Up With the Trends 
* May Require Graduate Degree  
Contact The Office of Internship and Career Development for more information. 
German American Chambers of Commerce 


Major in German Studies

Agnes Scott College

Academic Catalog: Graduate Addendum 2018-2019

Agnes Scott College Staff Council

Agnes Scott College Staff Council meeting agendas and minutes

Faculty Handbook 2018-2019

Agnes Scott College Office of Alumnae Relations

Agnes Scott College Songbook

  
 
A Student Guide to Informational Interviews – 2018-2019 
What? 
Informational interviews are the opposite of traditional interviews. Instead of being 
interviewed, you interview a professional – gaining valuable information about their career 
path and what advice they have for you. This conversation should be requested and led by 
you (see steps below) and last no more than 30 minutes. Informational interviews are 
typically used by students, or those outside of a particular industry, to build career literacy 
and learn about the "world of work". Note: Informational interviews should only be used to 
ask professionals for INSIGHT and ADVICE, not for a job/internship.  
Why? 
For many students, it is difficult to imagine the daily lives of professionals beyond what one might have seen on 
television or in a movie. Informational interviews provide real-world snapshots of what it is like to be in a particular 
profession, industry or department. Most professionals are willing to share with students information regarding:   
 Career Path - their journey from internship to post-college job through current job - what they have enjoyed? found 
frustrating? what attributed to their success? what they might do differently?  
 Current Role - description of typical day, roles and responsibilities, schedule and workload 
 Department - mission and structure of department within organization, culture, typical backgrounds, opportunities 
for promotion  
 Organization - basic structure, recruiting process, growth, culture, leadership 
 Industry - competitors, challenges, trends shaping changes in hiring, best ways to network/find opportunities 
 Advice - training required, best internships for breaking into industry, other people to contact 
Lastly, conducting effective informational interviews will often help you build a network so that when you are internship 
or job searching, these professionals can alert you to opportunities and internally advocate for you to be considered.  
When? 
The sooner, the better! The Office of Internship and Career Development at Agnes Scott encourages students to begin 
informational interviewing during the spring of first year. Students are advised to combine informational interviews with 
career panels, speakers, treks and internships to effectively build career literacy and learn about potential careers. The 
following chart summarizes our recommended minimum number of informational interviews.  
 Info Interviews  
(per semester/summer) 
Networking Events  
(panels, alumnae talks, treks) 
First Year 2  1 
Sophomore 3  2 
Junior 4  3 
Senior As many as possible As many as possible 
How? Tips for Successful Informational Interviewing: 
1) Prepare Your Communication Toolkit: Resume and LinkedIn and no Digital Dirt. You need to present yourself 
professionally to prospective interviewees, which requires a professional resume and up-to-date LinkedIn profile.  
 Review Resume Guide, Templates and LinkedIn Checklist on the Internship and Career Development website. 
 After revising your resume, proof and upload it to agnesscott.edu/hireascottie for review by a Career Coach.  
 Once completing your LinkedIn profile as much as you can, you may sign up in COMPASS for a LinkedIn review. 
 Clean up your social media (Instagram, Twitter, etc.) before reaching out to professionals.  
 Google yourself to make sure you know what might come up if a professional tries to “check you out.” 
2) Identify Your Objectives. What do you hope to learn? Are there careers or organizations that pique your interest? 
What coursework do you prefer? Build on what you enjoy to identify potential areas about which to learn more. 
  
 
Make a list of possible organizations and people from whom you would like to learn more. Ask people you trust 
(supervisors, ASC faculty/staff) for suggestions. Consider the following list:  
 Alumnae you meet through networking events, are referred to by the Internship/Career Development Office, 
or find on Campus Tap or LinkedIn; Use LinkedIn to search for people, target industries, orgs or professions 
 ASC Faculty and Staff - many have friends outside the college who might work in your field of interest 
 Internship, volunteer or part-time work supervisors 
3) Ask with Intention. Craft an “intentional” message via Campus Tap, LinkedIn or email to contact potential 
interviewees. When reaching out, introduce yourself, explain your connection to them, and ask for 20 – 30 minutes 
of their time for a specific purpose (insight/advice). NEVER ask to meet for a meal or an alcoholic drink – that is not 
considered professional or respectful. Always attach your resume for their easy reference. It is also helpful to 
suggest a day/timeframe where you have a lot of flexibility. Examples: 
 “Dear Ms. Rogers, I am interning in the ____ department and my supervisor, Sally Smith, suggested I talk to you 
to learn more about your career in accounting. Would you be willing to spend 20 minutes with me to share your 
career journey and provide a glimpse into your role as a financial analyst?” 
 “Dear Ms. Brown, I am a sophomore at Agnes Scott College and really enjoy my math and psychology courses. I 
see from LinkedIn that you have a successful career in Market Analytics, and I would love to hear about your 
journey from psychology major to your current position. Would you be willing to speak with me for 20 minutes 
by phone so I can ask you some questions about your career path? I do not have class on Tuesday/Thursdays.” 
4) Prepare. Once someone says yes to your request, you must prepare thoroughly and professionally. You requested 
the meeting, so it is your role to lead the conversation and convey respect for their time and advice. 
 Promptly ask and confirm the specifics of the interview – location, time, etc. Confirm the number on which you 
should contact the person (if by phone). Also, confirm the day before with a short, courteous email. 
 Research the professional and his/her organization (product/service, locations, client/service base, news and 
social media). You don’t want to ask questions that are easily answered by LinkedIn or the organization website.  
 Prepare ~ 5 written, appropriate, relevant questions. Review your objectives about what you want to learn, but 
the best questions are usually ones that focus on the professional’s career path: 
- Tell me about your career journey from college to your current role.  
- What factors do you think attributed most to your success?  
- What advice would you give someone like me who is interested in your industry or profession?  
- Is there anyone else you would recommend I speak with? 
- For more ideas, visit:   
http://www.levo.com/articles/career-advice/10-intelligent-questions-to-ask-on-an-informational-interview 
5) Lead a Professional Interview. 
 If by phone, ensure a quiet place and clear connection. Be available on time. 
Introduce yourself – “Hello, this is Taylor Smith. Is this still a good time to talk?”  
 If in person, dress professionally. Silence and put away your cell phone. Be on 
time and give a firm handshake. Make eye contact, smile and be attentive. 
 Watch the time to honor your request for 20-30 minutes. Skip to your last 
questions if needed to wrap up. 
6) Thank you and Follow-up. 
 Thank the professional at the time AND by email/personal note within 24 hours. 
 Invite them to connect on LinkedIn. Keep in touch with updates, ideas discussed, 
articles of interest, internships, your graduation. Thank them again for their advice. 
 If they referred you to someone else, reach out to that person within a week and 
always loop back to let them know where that referral takes you.  


A Student Guide to Informational Interviews

Constitutions submitted by Agnes Scott College student organizations for the academic year 2018-2019

Agnes Scott College Center for Student Involvement

Agnes Scott College student organization constitutions

 
A Student Guide to Acing the Interview – 2018-2019 
Interviews are used by employers, grad schools and volunteer sites to: verify a candidate’s qualifications, evaluate their fit 
with the organization/team, graduate program and more. Interviews are also critical to help you determine if the position, 
organization or grad program fits well with your goals, interests, and preferences. Therefore, it essential to prepare. 
Interview Lifecycle 
There are eight key steps to prepare for and ace an interview.  
 
Common Interview Formats 
Most organizations use a series of interviews to get to know candidates. A screening interview (15-30 minutes) is typically 
conducted first to confirm that a candidate’s availability, base skills, and sometimes salary range aligns with the position.  
Phone Interviews are most often used for screening or initial interviews. You will probably be asked 5-8 questions.  
Best practices for phone interviews: 
 Eliminate background noise and sit away from distractions. 
 Have your resume/CV, application materials, and any relevant notes close at hand.  
 Practice interviewing with a friend or record yourself using your phone, paying attention to your tone, level of 
enthusiasm, length of your responses (no more than 1 minute each) and how well you answered the questions. 
Video Interviews are increasingly used to evaluate a candidate’s “soft” skills, such as communication and rapport 
building. Automated video interviews require a candidate to provide video responses to computer prompts. The candidate 
is usually given a few tries at a question. Skype-style interviews are two-way, face-to-face conversations with video.  
Best practices for video interviews: 
 Identify a quiet place with a solid digital connection. Test your connection to the video interview platform. 
(If you need a space to video interview, contact Irene Foran at iforan@agnesscott.edu to book a room.) 
 Make sure your username and photo are professional.  
 Dress as you would for an in-person interview. (See below) Remove any unprofessional items in the background. 
 Create a cheat sheet of your relevant strengths, skills, and story topics and tape it to the side of your screen. 
Start 
here! 
 
 Save application documents on your desktop to share online if needed. 
 Practice (e.g. Skype with a friend). Learn where to direct eye contact. Ensure you are confident, pleasant & clear.  
 Be ready and sign on 5-10 minutes early.  
Face-to-Face or In-person Interviews are usually the final round of interviews. Organizations often mix one-on-one and 
panel (group) interviews to obtain feedback from multiple interviewers. Ask in advance about the agenda and participants. 
Best practices for in-person interviews: 
What to Wear 
Interview attire is more conservative than typical office wear, even for nonprofit, healthcare or public service organizations.  
 Wear a suit or tailored dress with close-toed, professional shoes. Cover up tattoos if possible. 
 AVOID: too short, sheer, low-cut or skimpy attire; heavy makeup/perfume; loud make-up or peeling nail polish. 
 If you are not sure what to wear or need professional clothing, contact Irene Foran: iforan@agnesscott.edu to 
book a styling appointment with Dress for Success Atlanta where you’ll receive at least one free interview outfit. 
What to Bring 
 Dark tote bag that is well-organized (no backpacks!) 
 Copies of current, proofed resume on 20 lb. paper (from office store) or ask to print up to 5 copies in Buttrick G12 
 Padfolio and 2 pens in case you need to take notes 
 Reference list with complete and accurate contact information (if requested) 
Plan to Arrive Early and Ready 
 Map it ahead of time, including parking. Be sure you know where you are going. 
 Go to bed early the night before. Allow time in the morning to review your answers to common questions. 
 Eat a light snack before hand – you don’t want a growling stomach; no gum! 
 Silence your phone and put it away before you walk in the door. Bring a non-trashy book or magazine to read! 
Convey a Positive, Professional Presence 
 Introduce yourself with eye contact, smile and firm handshake to everyone you meet from receptionist to CEO. 
 Do not badmouth prior experiences/employers. 
 Remember/write down names or ask for business cards so you can send a thank you. 
 Use active posture and positive, engaging facial expressions to show you are listening. 
Pre-Interview Research: An Essential Step! 
Employers are put off when candidates are unfamiliar with the organization or position. Before interviewing, make sure to: 
 Review the organization: Explore its website and LinkedIn; Google them and use McCain’s Career Libguide to 
learn more; Read employee reviews on Glassdoor.com; reach out to alums on LinkedIn for interview advice. 
 Review the position description. Identify the top skills, experience, knowledge, and personality traits the 
employer is seeking. To inform your interview answers, consider what kind of person would succeed in this role. 
 Look up your future interviewers online: Learn about their career paths and accomplishments; consider what 
their priorities are to fill this position and what they might ask you. 
Common Interview Questions 
Organizations use a variety of interview environments, questions and assessments to evaluate candidates. 
Most Common Interview Questions are straightforward, but do require preparation. Prepare for these questions: 
Tell Me About Yourself:  Prepare a 1-minute response that connects your journey with the opportunity 
and organization. You may include relevant personal info: interest, club, etc. 
Why did you choose ASC/your 
major? 
There is no correct answer. This question is designed to understand your 
priorities and decision-making. Develop a logical and meaningful answer. 
What are your strengths and 
weaknesses? 
Before the interview, make a list of your positive and negative attributes. For 
each interview, mention a few of the most relevant positive ones and least 
relevant negative ones. Describe how you are working on the negative ones. 
 
Why should I hire you? Identify your most relevant skills/experiences and personality traits for the role. 
What questions do you have for 
me/us? 
Be ready to ask insightful questions you cannot answer online. Good options: 
o Organization specifics: culture? what it takes to be successful?  
o Position specifics:% of time on each task? typical growth path? training?  
Behavioral Interview Questions assume past behavior predicts future performance. Questions like “Describe a time 
when (fill in the blank),” ask you to share specific experience instead of how you’d handle a situation. Consider when you: 
Tried to do something & failed  Showed initiative and took the lead Missed an obvious solution  
Had to go above and beyond the 
call of duty to get a job done 
Used persuasion to influence 
someone’s opinion 
Used good judgement and fact-
finding skills to solve a problem 
Dealt with conflict Faced a stressful team situation  Set a goal & achieved it  
To answer these questions succinctly and effectively, tell stories of relevant experiences using the SAR method: Describe 
Situation you were in; Action you took; Result or Response you created). Identify stories from: 
Internships Work experience Volunteering/Service 
Class Projects Travel/Study Abroad Campus Leadership 
Athletics Awards/Accomplishments Mentored Research 
Choose and practice stories: 
 That are multifaceted and can be used to convey a variety of lessons or endings 
 Where you were the main person or one of the main people leading, making decisions or doing work 
 Where you can quantify or explain how you specifically created a positive result or response  
Computer Assessments. Many organizations use online tests (usually during screening process) to assess sales ability, 
customer service mindset, proofreading or grammar skills, quantitative skills or software expertise (Excel, PowerPoint).  
 
While less common, the following three types of interviews are used in specific situations:  
“The Airport Test” is a term for questions used to get to know a candidate on a personal, but still professional level. It 
refers to how a candidate would get along with a team over time, as if they were “stuck at the airport.” To questions like, 
“What was the last book you read?” or “What do you like to do for fun?” provide an honest, non-controversial answer!  
Case/Simulation Interviews are typically used by management consulting and investment firms to assess a candidate’s 
analytical skills. The candidate is asked to analyze a hypothetical problem and share how they would address it. Review 
case interview advice on McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group and other consulting firms’ websites.  
Technical Interviews are used when a position requires specific skills that are not easily learned on the job – e.g., 
computer programming/coding, statistical analyses, numerical problems, mastery of technical software, editing or public 
speaking. The candidate is given a timed “assignment” to complete while at the interview. 
Practice, Practice, Practice  
Practice is the #1 recommendation. You are encouraged to take advantage of the following resources for practice: 
 Practice Interviews with Alumnae in September and February (RSVP required – watch your email!) 
 Mock interview with a Career Coach (schedule via COMPASS) 
 Industry-specific advice from alumnae who have agreed to conduct practice phone, Skype and case interviews 
Follow-up – A Written Thank You is Crucial! 
Send thank you emails to all decision makers and influencers within 24 hours. Briefly refer back to your interview 
conversation, including an example of how you meet one of the key qualifications. Also, thank alumnae or others who 
helped you prepare. Keep them posted. Every communication is a chance to strengthen and learn from your network.  
Questions or need help preparing for an interview? Use compass.agnesscott.edu to schedule an appointment.  
Thank you to Alumna Jasmine Adams Langevine ’07 for contributing to this guide. 


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