{"id":188614,"date":"2023-11-25T00:48:49","date_gmt":"2023-11-25T00:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/?p=188614"},"modified":"2023-11-25T00:48:50","modified_gmt":"2023-11-25T00:48:50","slug":"crafting-a-compelling-cover-letter-using-google-docs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/2023\/11\/crafting-a-compelling-cover-letter-using-google-docs.html","title":{"rendered":"Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter Using Google Docs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Today, I&#8217;m excited to delve into a fantastic resource from Google&#8217;s Applied Digital Skills curriculum that I recently explored. It&#8217;s about a skill that&#8217;s crucial yet often overlooked: writing a compelling cover letter. In our digital age, where job applications are predominantly online, mastering this skill is more important than ever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"477\" src=\"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Creating-cover-letters-using-Google-Docs-1024x477.png\" alt=\"Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter Using Google Docs\" class=\"wp-image-188615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Creating-cover-letters-using-Google-Docs-1024x477.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Creating-cover-letters-using-Google-Docs-300x140.png 300w, https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Creating-cover-letters-using-Google-Docs-768x358.png 768w, https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Creating-cover-letters-using-Google-Docs-1536x715.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Creating-cover-letters-using-Google-Docs.png 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter Using Google Docs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s dive into how you can guide your students (or yourself) in crafting a cover letter that stands out, using Google Docs and a bit of savvy internet research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/2023\/11\/creating-resumes-on-google-docs.html\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"188513\">Creating Resumes on Google Docs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding the Importance of a Cover Letter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we jump into the how-to, let&#8217;s talk about why cover letters are so vital. In my years of teaching and now in my research, I&#8217;ve seen the power of a well-crafted cover letter. It&#8217;s not just a formality; it&#8217;s your students&#8217; first chance to speak directly to a potential employer, showcasing their personality, skills, and fit for the role. It&#8217;s about making a memorable first impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Google Applied Digital Skills Approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Google&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com\/c\/college-and-continuing-education\/en\/write-a-cover-letter-for-a-job-or-career-change\/materials.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lesson<\/a> on writing a cover letter is a comprehensive guide that takes about 45 to 90 minutes to complete. It&#8217;s designed to enhance skills like communication, document formatting, and effective internet searching \u2013 all essential in today&#8217;s digital workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step-by-Step Instructions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Research the Company<\/strong>: This is where Google Search comes in handy. Encourage your students to dig deep into the company&#8217;s website and profile. Understanding the company&#8217;s culture, values, and challenges is key to personalizing the cover letter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Taking Notes<\/strong>: A simple yet effective step. Jotting down key points about the company can help tailor the cover letter to make it more relevant and engaging.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Networking<\/strong>: If possible, speaking to a current employee can provide insider insights that can make the cover letter more personal and informed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choosing a Template in Google Docs<\/strong>: A great cover letter starts with a professional layout. Google Docs offers a variety of templates that can be the perfect starting point.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Writing Process<\/strong>: This is where your students get to shine. The lesson guides them through writing each part of the cover letter:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Introduction<\/strong>: Start with a bang! Mentioning a mutual contact and aligning with the company&#8217;s mission statement can be a great opener.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Body<\/strong>: Here&#8217;s where the skills and experiences come into play. It&#8217;s not just about what the job can do for them, but what they can do for the company.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accomplishments and Work Samples<\/strong>: Sharing a major accomplishment and providing links to work samples can significantly bolster the cover letter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conclusion<\/strong>: Ending on a strong note is just as important as a strong start.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Proofreading<\/strong>: A step that cannot be overstated. Encourage your students to review their letters for any errors and perhaps have a peer do the same.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teaching Materials and Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What I particularly appreciate about Google&#8217;s lesson is the comprehensive set of teaching materials provided. There&#8217;s a detailed lesson plan, which includes learning objectives and guidance for instructors \u2013 a lifesaver for busy teachers. Plus, the certificate of completion and downloadable videos are excellent resources for reinforcing the learning experience and accommodating different learning environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal Takeaways and Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>From my experience, the key to a great cover letter is authenticity. Encourage your students to be themselves \u2013 their unique experiences and perspectives are what will set them apart. Also, remind them that a cover letter is not just about impressing a potential employer; it&#8217;s about starting a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In conclusion, <a href=\"https:\/\/applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com\/c\/college-and-continuing-education\/en\/write-a-cover-letter-for-a-job-or-career-change\/materials.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google&#8217;s Applied Digital Skills<\/a> lesson on writing a cover letter is a goldmine for educators looking to equip their students with a crucial life skill. It&#8217;s detailed, practical, and aligned with the digital skills necessary in today&#8217;s job market. So, why not give it a try in your next class? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today, I&#8217;m excited to delve into a fantastic resource from Google&#8217;s Applied Digital Skills curriculum that I recently explored. It&#8217;s about a skill that&#8217;s crucial yet often overlooked: writing a compelling cover letter. In our digital age, where job applications are predominantly online, mastering this skill is more important than ever. Crafting a Compelling Cover&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":188616,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[714],"tags":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Creating-cover-letters-using-Google-Docs-insta-600x400.png","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Creating-cover-letters-using-Google-Docs-insta-600x600.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Med Kharbach, PhD","author_link":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/author\/medkharback"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188614"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188614"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188614\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":188617,"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188614\/revisions\/188617"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/188616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188614"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188614"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.educatorstechnology.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=188614"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}