1. Conquer Your Cover Letter Workshop careerlink@grenfell.mun.ca

2. Do You Need a Cover Letter?
Yes!
It describes and conveys your skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the job.
It helps you to stand out!

3. RESEARCH! RESEARCH! RESEARCH!
How do I Prepare?
RESEARCH! RESEARCH! RESEARCH!
Conduct research into the company’s background and values and illustrate that you are the ideal candidate by linking them to your own experiences and goals.
Webpage
Facebook
Call the office to speak to someone

4. Preliminary Research Know: General job information
Desired qualifications and skills
Key values and words (refer to job ad)
Key Concept: The facilitator should emphasize that sometimes the tutor will have to help a student find information about a job position or company. Most students don’t realize they need to do preliminary research before writing a cover letter. Tutors should stress the impact that knowledge about a company can have on the effectiveness of a cover letter.
Activity: If the tutors have access to computers, the facilitator could have tutors take some time to explore looking up company and job information. A couple tutors could then share what they found with the rest of the tutors.

5. Format - Header Return Address: (optional)
top left-hand corner of the page
Date:
Two lines below address … current, unabbreviated date
Mailing Address:
Two lines below date … complete address of the company
Greeting:
Two lines below address … Use a specific individual. Check the company’s website or call if a name is not provided in the job posting.
If a name is unavailable, Dear Selection Committee: is commonly used.

6. Header Address the letter to a specific person if possible Your Name
Your City, Province, Postal Code
Date
Name of Contact Person
Title
Organization
Address
City, Province, Postal Code
Dear Ms., Mr., Dr., or Hiring Committee:
Address the letter to a specific person if possible
Key Concept:
The “Header” should include:
Student’s address
Date
Employer’s address
Salutation.
The facilitator should express that many students will try to use “To Whom it may Concern” or other informal salutations. The tutor should tell the student that a cover letter will be more likely to get to the right place if written to a specific person. Students can find who to address the cover letter on company websites, job descriptions, etc.
Activity: The facilitator can demonstrate how to find the names of people on a company website.

7. First Paragraph: Why are you Writing?
Introduce yourself
State what job you are applying for
How did you learn about it

8. Second Paragraph: What You Have to Offer
Highlight your academic and professional qualifications and skills that relate to this position. Respond to requirements mentioned in the job ad
Do not repeat everything that is in your resume or CV

9. Third Paragraph: How do you Fit the Company Image?
Use your research knowledge to prove your background, experience and values and parallel them with the company.

10. Closing Paragraph: Follow up
Thank the employer for his time
State the best way to contact you for an interview. Call to action
Follow this with a cordial closer of “Sincerely,” and then a signature above your typed name.

11. Example of Concluding Paragraph
I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my experience and qualifications for ______ (name position). I can be contacted at ---- (phone) and

12. Look for: Language: Weak Language:
I worked as a ramp agent at Air Canada.
Strong Language:
As a ramp agent, I assisted in loading baggage, oversaw fueling the aircraft, and stocked commissary items on the aircraft.
Key Concept: If the tutor has time and notices any weak language, he or she can help the student change these sentences to better describe the student’s experiences.

13. Date Salutation First Paragraph Closing
Your Address (optional if you have it included on the resume)
23 Ropewalk Lane
Corner Brook, NL A2H 6P3
March 16, 2016
Jessica Couture, HR Manager
Grenfell Campus, Memorial University
20 University Drive
Corner Brook, NL A2H 5G4
Dear Ms Couture:
This letter is an application for the Research Assistant position with the Department of Sociology, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland which was posted on the Grenfell Campus Office of Engagement webpage on January 20, 2016.
As a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Arts program at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, I have accumulated strong written and oral communication skills. Having completed a major in Sociology, I am familiar with a wide array of subject matter and am comfortable performing both primary and secondary research. While completing five courses during the academic semesters, I also worked part-time as a Teaching Assistant with the Department of Sociology. This position refined my time-management skills and showcased my self-direction capabilities. During group projects, I surface as an enthusiastic and effective team member, who is task oriented and does not shy away from a leadership role. As evident in my résumé, I am confident working with Microsoft Excel and Word. Human Resources Summer Internship position.
Upon researching your department, I was very excited to learn that the Department of Sociology is spearheading a project to improve youth retention in out-ort Newfoundland and Labrador. I have a keen interest in this area of Newfoundland and Labrador studies as I have completed several research papers on the topic of out migration and unemployment in rural areas. It would be an honor to work in such a progressive environment where sociology is not just an academic undertaking but where practical sociological theories can be applied.
I believe that I am a strong candidate for the Research Assistant position with the Department of Sociology, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland and I look forward to hearing from you to further discuss how I may contribute to your department. Thank you for considering me for this position. Please feel free to contact me anytime at (709) or via at
Sincerely
YOUR NAME
Enclosure: Résumé
Date
Employer Address
Salutation
Address to a specific person
First Paragraph
Why are you Writing?
Second Paragraph
What do you have to offer? Sell Yourself!
Key Concept: A sample of a cover letter with the sections indicated.
Third Paragraph
What do you fit the company image, plan or project?
Closing Paragraph
Call to Action
Closing