In This Issue

Make Your Cover Letter Work for You

Budgeting Basics

Alumni Association Benefits

This newsletter is brought to you by American Education Services (AES). Its purpose is to provide you with information about money, budgets, student loans, jobs, and more! If you don't want to receive future newsletters, please follow the instructions at the end of this letter.

Your cover letter is one of the most important communication vehicles you will use in your job search. Personal conversations, applications and, of course, your resume are all important, but the first thing that a potential employer will read is your cover letter.

A top-notch cover letter can move your resume to the top of the pile. The average time spent reading a cover letter is fifteen seconds; so if you don’t catch their attention quickly, your employment material may easily slide into the abyss of the two hundred other resumes vying for attention.

Your letter should include the date, your contact information and be addressed to a real person. Avoid sending your material to the Director of Human Resources or Employment Representative; by sending your material to a real person you will avoid an awkward opening like ‘Good Day’ or ‘To Whom It May Concern.’

Your first paragraph should identify the position you're applying for. It should also state where you found out about the position (newspaper classified section, word from a friend/networking contact – especially if they work at the company you’re making application with and are well- respected within the organization.)

After that, it’s all about making connections. Your second paragraph (and this one is the most important) should connect your skills and experience with the skills required for the position you're interested in. You can use work experience or volunteer positions to connect with responsibilities listed for a job. Keep it short and simple; there’s no need to be wordy.

You should change your cover letter to address the skills required for each job that you apply for. Employers are looking for different skills for different positions so match your experience to what they're looking for.

The last paragraph in your cover letter should state that you look forward to speaking with them about the position and how your skills would positively impact the needs of the organization.

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Developing a budget is important because it helps you save money and live within your means. Developing a budget can be tough - and sticking to it even tougher, especially if you’re just establishing your independence.

We’ve compiled some useful tips to help you develop a budget that will work for you:

1. Determine your values - you spend money based on your values, so you need to understand them.
   
   
2. Establish your short-term and long-term financial goals and put money aside to meet them.
   
   
3. Determine your net income.
   
   
4. Calculate your monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, car expenses, groceries, clothing, entertainment, student loan payment, etc.
   
   
5. Design a budget that will cover your monthly expenses but still allows you to save.
   
   
6. Track your monthly expenses.
   
   
7. Periodically evaluate your budget and make changes, if necessary.

You can learn more about budgeting on the YouCanDealWithIt.com website at: http://www.youcandealwithit.com/a-3100.html

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Students and graduates of most colleges have the option to join their alma mater's alumni association. The missions of alumni associations differ slightly; however, the primary purposes are to establish and maintain a sense of community among students, graduates and the institution, provide members with professional networking opportunities, service to membership and to support the institution's mission.

Benefits of joining an institution's alumni association are numerous, including information related to college programs and events, directories of alumni members and class members, volunteer opportunities, financial giving options to support college projects and programs, and professional networking and career counseling, which provides guidance to students and recent graduates.

Membership in college alumni associations requires an annual membership fee; most offer lifetime memberships to graduates. Alumni members receive college and association publications, information on reunions, recreation and travel discounts, insurance discounts and other member services.

Students and graduates interested in learning more about their alumni association should contact the colleges administration office.

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