Booklet Cover Letters 2019 May 13
Booklet Cover Letters 2019 May 13
Booklet Cover Letters 2019 May 13
CAPTIVATING
COVER LETTERS
Table of Contents
You only get one chance to make a first impression. The cover letter is your personal narrative, your
story about why you are applying, and how you will fit the position and contribute to the company.
Consider the letter an extension of your resume which reflects your knowledge of the employer’s needs.
Tips:
• Review each job posting for keywords related to skills, knowledge and experience;
notice the “must haves” and key responsibilities (highlight them as a reminder)
Demonstrate your abilities by emphasizing your competencies (knowledge, skills,
abilities), talents and accomplishments which help establish your credibility –
provide specific examples
Use variety in your sentence structure (or bullet statements) and use
transition/linking words to connect ideas
If possible, highlight your cultural fit by showing the company how well you would
mesh with their culture
• Always send a cover letter with your resume unless the employer states otherwise
• Save a copy of the job posting as you will need to review it before an interview
Organization / Layout:
• Use a business letter format, one page in length, left aligned, same font size as your
resume if possible, single spaced text, double spaced between sections
• Aim for three to four concise paragraphs or a combination of paragraphs, bullets or T-
style (see examples in this guide)
• Keep your letter between 300 and 400 words - remember that recruiters typically
spend less than 10 seconds to review job applications
3. Company Address
• Include contact name (e.g. Jess R. Jones or (K. R. Jones), their position title,
organization name and full address
• If a name is not provided in the job posting, research the company website
and/or LinkedIn to determine a contact to address your letter to (department
head or manager, a recruiter or human resources representative)
4. Reference or Subject Line
• Include job title or the competition number (optional)
5. Greeting / Salutation
Whenever possible open the letter by using a person’s name. Don’t assume someone’s
title should be “Mr. /Ms. /Dr.” – instead consider using one of the following forms:
• Omit the courtesy title: “Dear Mr. or Ms. [last name]” instead, write “Dear” or a
generic salutation “Attention”
• Specific Receiver: Use “Dear First and Last name (e.g. Dear Kelly Jones or K. R.
Jones).”
• Unknown Receiver (option): “Attention: Hiring Manager or Attention
Hiring Committee or Attention Human Resources Manager:”
• Avoid “To whom it may concern:” or “Dear Sir or Madam:”
6. Opening Paragraph
• Your first line should grab the reader’s attention. Some ways to open the letter are to
promise a benefit, identify a need or compliment the company. Tip: check here for
examples - attention grabbing cover letter examples
• Why are you applying? What position or type of work are you applying for? Where
did you see the job posting? Briefly explain why you want to work for this company
• If someone who knows the employer referred you, give the name of that person
Contact Name
Position Title
Organization Name
Street Address
City, Province Postal Code
Dear [Contact Full Name], or Attention [contact name], or Hiring Manager, Hiring Committee or Human
Resources Manager,
Sincerely,
Full Name Signature (insert a screenshot of your handwritten signature or use a script font type)
Employers look for evidence that you can contribute to the workplace with the skills they
need. This includes course work, academic projects, paid and unpaid work, co-op placements,
extra-curricular activities, study abroad experience, campus and community activities,
student and professional organizations, leadership roles, and from personal interests.
Student Name
1234 Any Street, New Westminster, BC V1V 2V2 604-123-4567 myname@email.ca
A Co-op position as a Financial Analyst is exactly the opportunity I have been looking for, and I can’t think of a
better match than a placement at P&W Chartered Accountants. I am a second year Business student who is
intrigued by securities and ultimately plans to pursue the CFA designation. I am a Canadian Citizen with
reliable transportation to your location in Burnaby, and I feel that my current skills and goals will be an
excellent fit for your organization.
I was a consistent honor roll student throughout high school and graduated with multiple Passport to
Education Scholarship stamps. I continued my academic excellence in the Commerce and Business
Administration University Transfer program at Douglas College by maintaining honor roll status with a current
cumulative GPA of 3.83.
My recent job at a call centre further strengthened my communications skills, as I had to constantly pay
careful attention to customers’ orders and clarify any possible misunderstandings. Working in this role, as
well as in the fast-paced environment of a restaurant kitchen and a warehouse, has forced me to be detail-
orientated. Failing to take note of a single modifier on a food dish or misreading an order on a picking list
could have serious consequences. I am accustomed to working as part of a team through my participation in
team sports and my role as a line cook. My current GPA is an indication of the work ethic that I put forth in
accomplishing my goals, whether they are school-related, work-related or personal.
The value that I place on customer service, communication skills and computer literacy are qualities that
complement the position at P&W Chartered Accountants. Please contact the Douglas College Co-Op office at
co-op@douglascollege.ca or 604-527-5769 to arrange an interview. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Susie Smith
I am writing to apply for the Junior Accountant Co-Op position which was listed on the Douglas College Co-
Op job board. This position interests me as I would like to work towards obtaining a Certified General
Accountant designation. After learning about your company’s services from your website, I was interested
to find that you serve a large client base in a variety of industries around the world.
I am presently in my final year of the Bachelor of Business Administration Program at Douglas College,
majoring in Accounting. Working as an Accounting Clerk has enhanced my skills in taxation and auditing by
successfully reviewing numerous company files. In college accounting courses, I accurately performed
financial statement analysis and learned ethical accounting practices. I have also used Microsoft Office and
other computerized accounting programs extensively at workplaces and for coursework.
My communication skills have been strengthened by working with people of various backgrounds and
cultures as a professor’s assistant, which would allow me to work effectively with your company’s clients.
As a college student, I had several group projects utilizing communication, problem solving and team work
skills which were essential to a successful outcome. During the tax season in my accounting role, I offered
to work longer hours utilizing my strong analytical, attention to detail and time management skills to meet
clients’ needs.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my application in person. Please contact the Douglas College
Co-op office at co-op@douglascollege.ca or 604-527-5769 to arrange an interview. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Susie Smith
Susie Smith
Enclosure: Resume
Student Name
New Westminster, BC (604) 450-5555 name@email.ca ca.linkedIn.co/in/first-last-name
Last month, I reached both a personal and company target! I sold over 85 new mobile phone contracts. In
2018, the corporate office that oversees the kiosk I manage in the Coquitlam Mall set new performance
goals for the staff, and I was proud to achieve it. As a customer-focused leader, I am a quick learner, team
orientated and strong negotiator. Currently, I’m in my final year in Business Management at Douglas
College and would welcome the opportunity to join your Management Trainee program with Spark Mobile
Services as posted on your career website. I pride myself on being detailed orientated, which is imperative
to meeting quality assurance standards and testing procedures.
With nearly three years’ experience in customer-driven sales and customer service, I am confident that I
can contribute high standards and strive to achieve your performance goals. In my current role, I
successfully coordinated retail operations, vendor relations and inventory control. Specifically, I’ve:
You will find that I am a committed individual who takes pride in producing quality work, providing innovative
solutions and communicating effectively with multiple stakeholders. I look forward to meeting you to further
discuss how my education and experience would benefit Spark Mobile Services. You may reach me at the
above number or email address to arrange an interview.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Manager of Operations
Global Acme Widgets
12345 My Street
City, BC V2V 1V1
Global Acme Widgets is a forward-thinking firm committed to providing quality and trusted software
solutions. Your organization continually innovates in providing comprehensive customer experience. As
an enthusiastic and results-orientated individual with a passion for efficiency in systems, I will apply my
knowledge and past experiences in ensuring adherence to organizational goals and requirements while
keenly analyzing data and facilitating accurate inventory maintenance.
Sincerely,
Jane Thomas
Jane Thomas
Enclosure: Resume
Upon hearing of your need for a detail-oriented Office Assistant, I am excited to submit my resume for your
review. As an organized and motivated self-starter, with proven ability to learn new tasks, computer systems
and proven strengths in problem solving, managing priorities and meeting deadlines, I am confident I would
be an asset to your team and bring the best results for the City of Burnaby.
As a part-time Business student with Douglas College, I am intent on pursuing human resources. Below, I
have included a breakdown of my attributes I believe are important to this role.
Attributes Qualifications
• Strong administrative/clerical and • 2 years’ administrative support experience
technical competencies • Advanced with MS Office – Word and Excel
• 52 wpm keyboarding skills (certified)
Knowing fully that I can deliver the same results or better for the City of Burnaby, I would welcome the
opportunity to speak with you in more detail. I will follow-up with your office on Wednesday, April 25, 20xx at
11:00 am to confirm that you have received my application. If you have any additional questions, I can be
reached at 604-555-5555. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jane Thomas
Jane Thomas
BBA-HR Candidate
Douglas College
June 1, 20xx
As a highly motivated and dedicated student with strong communication and interpersonal skills, I would like
to apply for the position of Casual Retail Sales Assistant as advertised on your company website. I am a life-
long athlete with self-confidence, enthusiasm and strength in building relationships which would be a great
asset to contributing to the goals of Extreme Sports.
As a college student, I have been involved in my school community as a Student Ambassador, which has
allowed me to develop strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. My involvement in various
events, including new student orientation, drama and sports events, has allowed me to work closely with my
peers while supporting the school community. These experiences have allowed me to develop strong time
management and organizational skills, which I see as being very important when in casual employment while
continuing to study. Personal attributes that I believe make me suitable for this position include:
• Leadership: Oversaw the information desk at the Student Services events in a welcoming manner.
Spoke with students and checked on events in progress to maintain support. Assisted with events on
campus through set-up and audio-visual equipment.
• Sales/Customer Service: Promoted items for sale during three community fund raising events
demonstrates selling and customer service skills. Engaged in mentoring with students.
• Communication/Public Speaking: Member of the Douglas College Royals Baseball and Soccer teams,
acted as the Master of Ceremonies at several school events that has developed my communication
skills
I am aware that you will receive many applications for this job, but I would very much appreciate the
opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities to you in person. I am keen to develop my professional skills and
contribute to the team at Extreme Sports. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanking you in advance for
your time.
Sincerely,
Tinsley Jones
Tinsley Jones
Enclosure: resume
Tinsley Jones
Burnaby, BC / tinsleyjones@gmail.com / 604-777-1234 /ca.linked.com/in/tinsley-jones
June 1, 20xx
Contact Name
Position Title or Department Name
Company Name
Street Address
City, Province, Postal Code
At a suggestion of [Name of Person Referring], I am contacting you regarding the open [job title]
position with [Company Name]. My educational background in [field of study], along with my
experience, makes me an excellent candidate for this position.
As you will see from the enclosed resume, I have more than [number] years of experience in the field
of [area of professional expertise]. My resume shows that I have been consistently rewarded for hard
work with promotions and increased responsibilities. These rewards are a direct result of my expertise
in [area of professional expertise], my commitment to personal and professional excellence, and my
excellent written and oral communication skills.
If you have questions, or would like to schedule an interview, please contact me at [phone number]. I
look forward to meeting you to further discuss employment opportunities with [Company Name].
Sincerely,
Jane Thomas
[Your Name]
Enclosure: Resume
Improvement
Yes
needed
Could be
Contact Information Yes improved
Includes the date (i.e. March 12, 201x) – below contact information ☐ ☐
Could be
Company Address Yes improved
Include contact name, their position title, and company name and address ☐ ☐
Could be
Greeting /Salutation Yes improved
Personalize the greeting line. Use “Dear First and Last Name
If you can find a contact, use “Dear or Attention Hiring Manager:” or ☐ ☐
“Hiring Committee:”, “Recruitment Manager:”, or “Human Resources
Manager:”
Avoid “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern:” ☐ ☐
Could be
Subject or Reference Line Yes improved
List the job title, location and reference number, if referenced in the job ad ☐ ☐
Could be
Opening Paragraph Yes improved
Name the specific position for which you are applying (advertisement in a ☐ ☐
specific place for a specific position). Be specific, use the company’s specific
Indicate how you learned of the position (i.e. Student Job, their website or a particular
☐ ☐
person's suggestion that you write) i.e. company website
Give some brief idea of who you are (a current marketing student; a recent graduate in
☐ ☐
Computer Science, international student and program end date).
e specific, include education/certifications, work experience, and specific skills and ☐ ☐
how they match with the job description that match the employer’s needs
Use keywords from the job ad within the letter to describe skills. Do not abbreviate. ☐ ☐
Achievements are quantified using numbers and/or statistics – e.g. “Awarded $100
bonus after my team increased sales by 10%”, if applicable ☐ ☐