Writing Cover Letters

AGENDAPurpose of a Cover LetterTargeted Cover LettersCover Letter SamplesWriting Your Cover LetterCover Letter LanguageWhat to IncludeFormatting Your Cover LetterCover Letter TipsOther Types of LettersSummary

WHY WRITE A COVER LETTER?

Provide information not in your resumeHighlight key skills and attributesOutline how you’re the right person for the jobShow interest and enthusiasm for the jobSet yourself apart from other applicants

Source: http://resume.monster.ca/7184_en-CA_p1.asp

That Important First Impression

Ensure your cover letter highlights yourProfessionalism and attention to detailAbility to communicate effectivelyQualifications and strengthsPersonality

You never have a second chance

to make a first impression.

- Author unknown

THREE KINDS OF COVER LETTERS

Response letter Targeted to a specific job posting

Broadcast letterNo job posting or information about a specific jobCan help to uncover the hidden job market

Referral letterLinks you to the employer through a mutual contactUsually no job posting to respond to

TARGETED COVER LETTERS

Written with a specific job in mindTailor the first and last paragraphs to the job

Use language from the advertisementVisit company website for more information

Make a strong link between your skills and job requirementsHighlight what you bring – not what you needProofread

SAMPLE COVER LETTERS

New GraduateNew entrant into the labour marketConstructionQuality Assurance Coordinator/HR TrainerNewcomer to CanadaRetail

WRITE EFFECTIVELY

Identify your reader(s) and tailor your languageReview each sentence and ask

“Does the reader need to know about this?”

Make sure your cover letter is clear and to the pointLong sentences are awkward to read

Don’t use words you wouldn’t normally use

BE PREPARED BEFORE YOU WRITE

Ensure you have what you need to write your letterJob ad or postingJob description, if possibleInformation about the company Your resume and career portfolioReference lettersPerformance reviews

USE ACTIVE VOICETalk about things you didHighlight what you accomplishedUse action verbs

Assigned, collected, designed, implemented

Active voice makes your writing

more dynamic and interesting. It identifies who does what — and how!

-Wiley Publishing

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Paragraph 1 is your introductionInclude

Reason for writing Job you’re applying for How you heard about the jobWhy you’re interestedA statement to catch employer’s attention

PARAGRAPH 2

Paragraph 2 will Highlight your skills and qualificationsDemonstrate how you are a good fit for the jobIntroduce relevant soft skillsDescribe how the company would benefit from hiring you

Bulleted list of skills/accomplishments works well

LIMITED WORK EXPERIENCE

Capitalize on unpaid experiencesEmphasize your eagerness for learningDemonstrate skills and accomplishmentsLink job requirements to relevant school projectsHighlight enthusiasm and excitement

PARAGRAPH 3

Paragraph 3 will be the closing Thank the reader for his/her timeExpress your interest in an opportunity to discuss the jobOutline the best way to contact you Confirm intention to follow up

SIGNING YOUR LETTER

Sign off on your cover letter with one of the followingSincerely,Best regards,Respectfully yours,

Insert three spaces after your closing salutation for typed nameBe sure to sign printed versions of your cover letterFor online submissions consider creating an electronic signature

GETTING STARTED

In groups of 3 or 4, brainstormAttention-grabbing opening sentencesRelevant skills and qualifications

IndividuallyComplete the activity in your workbook

CREATING A FORMATSelect appropriate paper

White, cream, light greyAvoid paper with colour or patterns

Select an appropriate fontArial, Tahoma, Times New Roman, CalibriSize 10 to 12 point

Aim to be consistent with your resume

CREATING A FORMAT

Create a standard “header” for contact informationFirst and last nameAddress, phone, and email

Every contact with an employer makes an impressionAvoid using “To Whom it May Concern”“Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable

CREATING A PERSONAL BRAND: LINKING TO YOUR RESUME

Use a consistent styleHeader, contact information, font, colour, paper

Don’t repeat informationUse letter to highlight, expand, and target information to the job

Refer to resume“As mentioned in my resume”

COVER LETTER TIPS• Personalize your cover letter• Be clear and to the point • Use language from job descriptions• Limit the use of the word “I”• Use examples of real accomplishments• Have someone else proof read• Matches same style as resume• Spell out all words and avoid using acronyms and

abbreviations• Use active language

Proofread carefully

to see if you any words out

~Author Unknown

IF SENDING BY EMAILRemember to• Follow any instructions• Use a clear subject line• Include the competition number• Send appropriate attachments• Use consistent formatting within the email• Send yourself a test e-mail

RESIGNATION LETTERS

Sent when leaving your jobImportant to

Leave a company graciouslyBe mature and politeBe clear and to the pointState your last day of employmentThank your employer for the work experience

REFERENCE LETTERSHighlight skills, knowledge, qualifications, accomplishmentsTypically written by employers or other individualsIf drafting your own reference letter

Include only positive informationProvide details on how the reference knows youAsk your reference for a quote to includeShowcase relevant skillsHighlight relevant accomplishmentsQuantify relevant personal characteristics

SUMMARYWhen writing anything it is important to identify your reader(s)Use cover letters to introduce yourself to potential employersReview your cover letter to make sure that it’s clear and to the pointUse an active voice as opposed to a passive voiceUse the first paragraph as a way to introduce yourselfUse the second paragraph to highlight your skills and qualificationsUse the third, or closing, paragraph to finish up the cover letterDon’t duplicate your resume

It is not doing the things we like to do,

but liking the thing we have to do

that makes life blessed

-Goethe