COVER LETTERS COVER LETTERS BASICS COMPONENTS TIPS OPENING CLOSING SAMPLES COVER LETTERS

COVER LETTER BASICS Be concise Offer value Address the letter to a specific person and their job title ~ avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Refer to a specific position (if applicable) State how you heard about the position Website Name of person that referred you Follow-up to meeting them at Career Days

COVER LETTER BASICS Highlight your uniqueness and personality! Show why you are a good fit & what you can contribute of value Request an interview Demonstrate your enthusiasm and confidence Connect your skills with the position you are applying for Provide evidence you have knowledge of their organization

COVER LETTER COMPONENTS INTRODUCTION: (First Paragraph) Tell reader why you are writing Position title you are applying for Where you heard about the position (on-line posting service, referred by X, classified ad) Something interesting about the employer (research) “Hook” to engage reader to read further

COVER LETTER COMPONENTS BODY: (Middle Paragraphs) Sell what you can specifically contribute to the position and organization NOT what they can DO for you Identify that you have the required qualifications, skills, accomplishments, attributes that match the position’s requirements Support this with 3-5 highlights with concrete examples to provide evidence

COVER LETTER COMPONENTS CLOSING: (End Paragraph) Summarize your overall message & express enthusiasm for the position Thank them for their consideration Suggest an action plan: request an interview Indicate a follow-up phone call or email Possibly tie to a researched point on the organization

COVER LETTER: GENERAL TIPS Design letters to be work-centered and employer-centred NOT self-centred Submit a professional package Same bond paper, font Use a personal letterhead on RÉSUMÉ, cover letter & ref list Demonstrate confidence: Avoid words like: “I think”, “feel”, “believe” Use words like: “confident”, “certain”, “positive” Avoid use of templates, copying samples, cliches

You have a maximum of 20 seconds to wow the reader of your letter. Did You Know… You have a maximum of 20 seconds to wow the reader of your letter. Maximize the impact level by making it dynamic!

STATIC OPENING “I am writing today to apply for the research position you have posted on your website.”

DYNAMIC OPENING “I have made a positive impact in all of my workplaces, developing strong relationships with teachers, students and customers. I want to bring the same success to the position of research assistant as advertised on your website.”

STATIC CLOSING “I hope you will review my RÉSUMÉ, and if you agree with what I have stated here, consider me for the position. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

DYNAMIC CLOSING “I am eager to contribute to the advancement and success of your company, and look forward to our meeting to further discuss my ideas. I will call your office in the next week to schedule an appointment.”