[flame0086]

I am applying for an internship for Cypress Semiconductor. Is it appropriate to send a cover letter via email? My contact did not specify, just to have us students email him our resumes.

[DavidC]

Just my $.02

I would send both an email, and provided you have their address, FedEx a copy overnight of both the cover letter and resume.

Having to sort through 100's of emails a day, I can tell you that when an overnight letter arrives, I will open it and read it.


Good luck!

I have been in the biz now for 27+ years and still love it.

[Jerry Bransford]

Absolutely include a cover letter. A resume is somewhat generic, and it doesn't usually show precisely why you're a good fit for the company.

Your cover letter should be carefully written and show enthusiasm for why you believe your qualifications and experience make you the ideal candidate for the job, if not at least getting the interview.

It's the cover letter that is truly key to getting the interview so work hard on it. Make sure there are NO spelling errors, grammatical errors, run-on sentences, or other flagrant indications of an unprofessional approach to going after their position. Take your time on it and sell them on YOU. Enthusiasm for the company and what they do should show through your cover letter as well.

So while the resume itself is important, it's the cover letter that will set you apart from the rest. And if this job is something you really (!) want, DavidC's suggestion to send it overnight it is a very good one.

[hollandbriscoe]

One other point to follow Jerry, do not rely on just spellcheck and grammar check. It can and will miss stuff. Also research the company and really know what they do so you can apply that info to the cover letter

[flame0086]

I know the cover letter is important, but my technical writting professor said it should only be giving if you giving it in person. But I wasn't impressed with some of her teaching/logic. I finished up my resume and cover letter, just need someone to look it over and ask premission for my references.

I'll look into finding an address, but for the time being, all I have is an email.

[19OlllllllO41]

Originally Posted by flame0086

I know the cover letter is important, but my technical writting professor said it should only be giving if you giving it in person. But I wasn't impressed with some of her teaching/logic. I finished up my resume and cover letter, just need someone to look it over and ask premission for my references.

I'll look into finding an address, but for the time being, all I have is an email.

I dont agree with "only giving it in person", I have never heard of that and have never followed that "rule". All of my mentors/professors/etc in college always recommended sending a cover letter and resume together. I sent a cover letter with my resume (paper copy, as well as with the online application portion) to the principal of the school I now teach at, so it obviously works to send a cover letter and resume!!! And as already mentioned, send a PAPER COPY! Thats how you set yourself apart from the hundreds of other applicants who just apply online or send stuff via e-mail. When I applied for my current teaching position, the district website said "do not send paper copies", well after discussiong this with some other experienced professionals, I took the chance of sending a paper copy to the principal of the school, he called me the next day and I had an interview. After the 2nd interview, he offered me the job and after I accepted it, he said "oh by the way, you did fill out the online application, right?" Point is, there are too many applications that just pile up on some server somewhere, you need to stand out and make yourself visible. Sending a paper copy that the person hiring can hold in their hand makes a world of difference. If I hadn't sent the paper copy not only would I have never gotten the job, but I prob would have never even gotten a call for an interview in the first place!

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by flame0086

I know the cover letter is important, but my technical writting professor said it should only be giving if you giving it in person.

Your technical writing professor needs some real world experience. He is totally wrong and has probably never himself ever had to apply for a real business job. Knowing about technical writing is one thing, knowing about applying for a non-entry level job and what impresses a company looking for a unique employe is quite another.

[flame0086]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

Your technical writing professor needs some real world experience. He is totally wrong and has probably never himself ever had to apply for a real business job. Knowing about technical writing is one thing, knowing about applying for a non-entry level job and what impresses a company looking for a unique employe is quite another.

It was a she, and I'm pretty sure she was on some sort of medication that affect her sence of logic or reality because I didn't learn much in that class.

I'm going to read over my cover letter and resume either tonight or tomorrow and get one to proof read it. The contact I have gruated from my univeristy not to long ago. Its a small program, but has good local support from businesses.

Since it is a summer internship program, I went off saying how I can use what I learn in my senior project. I also noted that their products and services include things that I have been interested in for some time. Also, the job description talks about customer communication and working independentely and as a team. So I though in a paragraph about my communication skills, self management, being a team player, and my expericence with fast paced and stressful eniornmentes that I have gained though live sound and lighting, promotions, and search and rescue. I beleive that I am well qualified, just need to make sure I present myself well.

Thanks for the replies.

[rockhopper]

Include a cover letter, but make sure it is tailored specifically to the company and position you're applying for. I can tell when I get a "form" cover letter, and it's worse than just sending the resume alone.

[SpeedyCat3]

Ditto on Jerry and Rockhopper...
Do a careful research on what the company does, and how your skills can be applied to their needs.
I do hiring , pre hiring screening, and phone interviews for prospective hires, and I relly on the info on their cover letter as much as the resume.
We are absolutely technical in what we do, but I look at the cover letter as some other skills that are not airplane related in our case, but are important for a good all around candidate.

[dzdiver]

Having recently switched career paths, I agree that you absolutely should send a cover letter. I like the idea of sending it both by email and overnight. **If at all possible, try to deliver your resume and cover letter in person.

When I delivered my resumes and cover letters in person, I had far more interviews than when I did so electronically and by mail. Nothing like actually seeing the candidate.

[rockhopper]

Originally Posted by dzdiver

Having recently switched career paths, I agree that you absolutely should send a cover letter. I like the idea of sending it both by email and overnight. **If at all possible, try to deliver your resume and cover letter in person.

When I delivered my resumes and cover letters in person, I had far more interviews than when I did so electronically and by mail. Nothing like actually seeing the candidate.

If it's a small company, I agree. If you're applying to large companies, don't bother. I've worked for a few companies that don't have a way to accept resumes and cover letters in person. You'd be handing them to a security guard at the front gate. Definitely not the response you'd be looking for.

[shoeless]

Don't send them via a company's customer support email either.....