Cover Letter Writing
Below is a guide to cover letter writing. Please realize that this is simply a guide to get you started and that there are many letter styles, varying opinions and personal preferences when it comes to writing cover letters. You are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the Career Services Coordinator to hold a more in depth discussion regarding your cover letter.
Why write a cover-letter?
Job seekers often spend countless hours polishing their resumes and treat the cover letter as an afterthought. This can be a critical mistake, as a powerful cover letter will often help to get your resume noticed.
Unless otherwise stated, it is common business practice to submit a cover letter with your resume. Employers often receive hundreds, if not thousands of resumes for one job posting. How do you ensure that your resume rises to the top and gets included in the short-list? Writing a targeted, employer specific cover letter is a powerful tool that has been proven to differentiate your application from the rest of the pack.
What is its purpose?
Like a resume, a cover letter is a marketing tool used to promote your skill set and how it relates to a specific job description. Cover letters are letters of introduction that work with your resume and other supporting documents that gives an overview of your qualifications and relevant experience. As the cover letter is most often the first document reviewed by the employer, it should be designed to peak the employer’s interest, building their desire to review the applicant’s resume.
Format Guideline
- Heading and Greeting
- Include the date, your name and correct contact information at the top of the page
- Include the name and title of the supervisor, along with the organization (research to find this information)
- Address the letter to a specific person whenever possible
- Include the Job Reference Number if asked to do so
- Opening and Introduction (First Paragraph)
- Essential that this paragraph grabs the attention of the employer and pulls them in
- Be enthusiastic, energetic and motivating!
- Indicate the job that you are applying for
- Include unique skills that make you different from other applicants
- Briefly sum up your value to the employer by stating what interests you about the organization and position
- Second Paragraph
- Demonstrate your interest in the organization
- Prove that you’ve done your research by touching on company objectives, customer base and overall organizational goals (research company website, relevant articles to find this information)
- Now is the time to mention if you were referred to this position by someone in the industry or within that particular company
- Look at their values and adjust your cover letter to reflect how you will encompass them
- Third and Fourth Paragraphs
- Use these paragraphs to sell your skills and convince the employer that you are the ideal candidate for the position
- Include relevant work experience, educational background and earned credentials
- Use key (power) words from job description when describing your qualifications
- Group your qualifications according to themes and validate using examples
- Organize paragraphs carefully and place the most important/relevant ones first
- Closing (Final Paragraph)
- Indicate your interest in discussing relevant qualifications and experiences in an interview setting
- Express confidence that you are the perfect candidate for this position
- Action can be left in the employer’s hands, or if comfortable in doing so, take a proactive approach by stating that you will follow up with them
(Adapted from: Career Cruising; Cover Letter Content)
- BE CONCISE
- One page maximum
- Keep paragraphs short and only include pertinent information
- FOCUS ON EMPLOYER’S NEEDS
- Research the types of problems managers are facing, qualities they look for in employees and their future goals
- Use your cover letter to prove that you are the answer to their problems
- Demonstrate what you can do for the employer, and do not take the “what can the employer do for you” approach
- TAILOR YOUR COVER LETTER
- Each position you apply for should have its own letter tailored specifically for that opportunity
- Include key (power) words that are found in the job description
- Address your letter to a representative involved in the hiring process. If possible, determine who supervises the available position and address it to them.
- PROFESSIONAL, YET FRIENDLY
- Cover letters are an excellent opportunity to reveal your personality
- Demonstrate that you are qualified for the position, but also likeable and a good fit for the organization
- Appropriate use of humour with a professional and friendly tone can help to separate your letter from the rest
- PROOFRAED
- Do you feel the heading of this section seems unprofessional? Just imagine if you had poor grammar or misspelled words in your cover letter
- Letters take many hours of polishing to be successful documents, so spend some additional time to ensure that there are no silly mistakes
- Ask a friend with a fresh pair of eyes to scan your letter for errors
Cover Letter FAQs and the Competitive Edge in the Job Market
The Dynamic Cover Letter Formula for Job-Search Success
Avoid These 7 Killer Cover Letter Mistakes
Treat Your Cover Letter Like a Love Letter
Sample Dynamic Cover Letters for Job-Seekers
Career Cruising Employment Section: Letter Writing - www.careercruising.com
*Contact the Career Services Coordinator for login information*