Khadija Bari knows how critical it is for blind and low vision job seekers to have access to the right resources. As the Director of Job Placement Services at VISIONS/Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired in New York City, she is deeply committed to helping individuals achieve meaningful employment.
In her role, two key areas of focus are teaching job seekers how to write effective cover letters and resumes, and guiding them to make the most of their JAWS and Microsoft Word during the cover letter and resume process. This ensures that their documents are not only correctly formatted but also polished and professional in appearance.
Getting Noticed
Your cover letter and resume are your introduction to an employer. They help a hiring manager decide whether to invite you for an interview.
In an upcoming 90-minute webinar, you’ll learn how to develop polished, professional documents using Microsoft Word and JAWS. Registrants will receive sample cover letters and resumes, and we’ll walk through how to adapt these materials to highlight your own skills and experience. The focus will be on using Word and JAWS effectively for formatting and presentation, ensuring your documents are both accessible and visually appealing.
Please note: this session will not cover basic Word or JAWS training. Participants are expected to be familiar with screen reader terminology and to have a working proficiency in both programs.
The Purpose of the Cover Letter
While the overall style of a cover letter is standard, job seekers should choose the format, style, and design that best fit their career path. A strong cover letter is clear, concise, and typically limited to one page. One exception is electronic applications, which often focus more on time limits than page limits. In these cases, it’s still important to consider the reader’s attention span before extending your letter beyond a single page.
A cover letter follows the same general outline as a business letter. It serves as a formal introduction, highlighting your skills and explaining why you are the best candidate for the position. After the standard letter heading, address your letter to a specific person whenever possible, such as “Dear Ms. Johnson,” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”
The Important Opening Paragraph
Think of your cover letter as your first handshake with a potential employer. Your opening paragraph should clearly state the position you’re applying for, including the full job title and any reference numbers. Then, briefly introduce yourself and explain right up front why you’re excited about the opportunity and why you’re a strong fit.
Matching Your Qualifications with the Job
Once you’ve introduced yourself, the body of your letter is your chance to shine. Share your enthusiasm for the role and show how your skills and experiences connect with what the employer is looking for. The more specific you can be, the better. Pull examples from past jobs, volunteer work, or your education to illustrate your strengths. And don’t forget to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework. Mentioning what you know about the company or industry helps show genuine interest.
Tying It Up
Every good letter needs a confident closing. Use your final paragraph to restate your interest in the position and thank the employer for considering your application. Let them know you look forward to the possibility of an interview. Then, close with a professional sign-off, such as “Sincerely,” followed by your name.
Staying Organized
Writing a cover letter and resume can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into steps makes it manageable. One of the best things you can do is get organized before you start. Gather information like names, addresses, and dates from your work and volunteer history so you’re not scrambling when it’s time to write. Tailor each cover letter and resume to the specific job you’re applying for. It takes more effort, but it makes a big difference.
Choosing the Right Resume Style
There are a few different ways to structure a resume, but the chronological style, where your most recent experiences appear first, is often the most effective. Professional or hybrid styles can also work, depending on your background.
Here’s a simple outline to get you started:
- Header: List your contact information at the top, matching your cover letter. You can also include a LinkedIn profile. A career objective (one to three sentences about your experience and goals) is optional.
- Work Experience: List jobs in reverse-chronological order. For each, include:
- Company name and location
- Key responsibilities and achievements
Tip: Not sure how to create a bulleted list? Check your word processor’s hot keys; they make it quick and easy.
- Education: List degrees earned, schools attended, and graduation dates. You can also add honors or relevant coursework.
- Skills: Highlight the skills most relevant to the job: technical abilities, languages, software, certifications, etc.
- Additional Sections (optional): Certifications, volunteer work, awards, or professional memberships.
Tips for Both Documents
A few extra steps can really make your materials stand out:
- Ask someone else to read over your work and give feedback.
- Keep your formatting consistent and easy to read.
- Use action verbs, and whenever possible, back up your achievements with numbers or results.
- Always proofread for spelling and grammar errors. Small mistakes can leave a big impression.
Learn More in Our Webinar
Khadija Bari will dive deeper into these strategies and show how to use Microsoft Word and the JAWS screen reader to polish your documents during her upcoming webinar for blind and low vision job seekers on September 25, from 6:00–7:30 pm Eastern. If you’re planning to look for work or a new job, this is the perfect time to start preparing your cover letter and resume. Register here.
Read more about Khadija Bari here.