1. Locate five current job advertisements for positions in either courts or corrections. I highly recommend using this website:https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sc

1. Briefly talk about the desired and preferred qualifications and requirements for these positions. What are the minimum requirements for these jobs? What are the desired qualifications? What kind of person are the agencies seeking? What kind of agencies are hiring? This essay only needs to be one to two paragraphs long.

NOTE: You do not have to describe each position separately. Instead compare and contrast the job descriptions. If all of the ads are asking for the same qualifications, discuss what they are. If the advertisements are different, point out the main differences and describe why you think there are differences.

Here is a made-up example of how you might begin your short essay: "I located job advertisements for correctional officers in Myrtle Beach, Spartanburg, and Anderson County. All of the ads required that officers be at least 18 years old....One major difference is that the Spartanburg advertisement required an Associate's degree, but the others did not...It seems that most correctional agencies prefer but do not require higher education."

Part II

Select one of the advertisements you found and pretend as if you are going to apply for the position. do a cover letter that would be appropriate for that position. You are highly encouraged to use Upstate's Career Management website for instructions on how to do a cover letter:https://www.uscupstate.edu/academics/university-college/career-management/cover-letters/See "Cover Letter Guidelines" and "Cover Letter Example" Word documents as well.

Your cover letter should include:

• Your contact information
• Date of letter
• Salutation to the recruiting manager
• First paragraph
  • Indicate the reason for writing, the specific position or type of work for which you are applying, and how you learned of the opening.
• Second paragraph
  • Mention why you are interested in the position, the organization, its products or services. This is the number one item that most students leave out of the cover letter. Show the reader that you have done your research and know what makes them unique and/or stand out from their competitors. Make it clear that you are interested in the position for more than just a J-O-B. You can combine this paragraph with the first paragraph if you prefer.
• Third paragraph
  • If you are a recent graduate, explain how your academic background and experiences make you a qualified candidate for the position. If you have related work or internship experience, point this out by mentioning specific achievements or unique qualifications gained through this experience. It can be helpful to choose 2-3 specific experiences from your resume that demonstrate your fit with the company.Do not repeat information word for word as it appears on your resume.Make sure that you are not beginning each sentence with the word "I".Above all, indicate the skills that you have gained and what you can do for the employer.
• Fourth paragraph
  • In the closing paragraph, indicate that you are very interested in an interview. You may suggest a time frame for when you will be available or will follow-up. Make some final connection between the available position and your qualifications. Finally, thank the employer for his/her time and consideration.
• Sincerely, your name
• Enclosures