Your Name
Address
Phone Number + Email
Date (month, year)
Employer’s Name (if known)
Title, (if unknown, Hiring Manager or Human Resources Manager)
Organization / Company
Address
Regarding Position Title or Job ID Number
Dear Mr. / Ms. Last name (or Hiring Manager or Human Resources Manager),
Introduction Paragraph – What position are you applying for? Why do you want to work for
this organization or work in this particular role? How did you learn of the position?
(newspaper, friend, online job board, etc) What are one or two of your best qualifications /
skills? (make sure to go into details later in the letter) Make sure to mention something that
will entice the reader to keep reading and that will set you apart from the other candidates.
Body Paragraph – What education do you have? What academic experiences do you have
that will allow you to perform this job successfully? You may highlight particular courses,
projects, presentations or assignments that directly relate to the job. Make sure to indicate
HOW your education / academic experiences have helped prepare you for this particular
role. BE RELEVANT – don’t just list random courses.
Body Paragraph - How do you stand out from other candidates? What qualities, skills, or
experiences do you bring to this role? Pick one or two things (experiences or skills) and
elaborate on how this experience has helped to prepare you for the role you are applying for.
Don’t repeat details from your resume, but connect the skill / experience to the particular
position.
Closing Paragraph – Demonstrate your excitement and enthusiasm for the role. If you know
anything about the company (or industry) be sure to mention it. Highlight something
interesting or insightful about yourself and why you are the best candidate. Make sure to
thank them for reviewing your application and indicate that you’d like to meet with them in the
future.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Resume Encl.
Cover Letter Tips
Before You Begin:
 Research the job you are applying for; find out some information about the company
 Determine who you will address the letter to (use company’s website or staff listing)
 Understand what skills and qualifications are required for the position (use the job
posting to help)
 Make a clear match between YOUR qualifications and those required for the JOB
A Basic Cover Letter:
 Is normally ¾ - 1 full page in length maximum
 Uses similar fonts and is visually similar to your Resume
 May be organized using 3-4 paragraphs
 Is specific for each particular job that you are applying for and should be included with
each resume that you send out
 Addressed to a person’s name or title (use Hiring Manager or Human Resources
Manager if unknown). Never address your cover letter “To Whom It May Concern” –
that will increase the chances it won’t make it to the person who needs to read it.
Helpful Hints:
 Be specific about your qualifications. Do not merely state that you are ‘well-qualified’
for the position. Identify your skills and training. You do not need to provide many, if
any, specific details about where you obtained a skill or qualification, as that
information is contained in your résumé. For example, you do not need to say, “while
working as the assistant manager at ABC Retails store in 2002 . . ..” Instead, you
could say “My experiences as an assistant manager enabled me to develop a solid
understanding of retail sales . . ..”
 Do not overuse the word ‘I’ or begin every sentence with ‘I’.
 Limit the length of your paragraphs so that you keep the employer’s interest.
 Do not be negative or apologetic. Some students and recent graduates, especially
those without a lot of professional work experience, get caught in the trap of
sometimes apologizing for what they do not have. They may say ‘I do not have a lot of
experience but . . ..’
More Information:
 Sample Cover Letters can be found in the Resume Guidebook:
http://www.lauriercc.ca/career/students/job/resume.htm
 Attend a Cover Letter or Resume Workshop, offered throughout the school year
 Check out some of the sample Cover Letter books available in the Career Centre:
o Best Canadian Cover Letters, Sharon Graham
o Knock ‘em Dead Cover Letters, Martin Yate, C.P.C
Contact the Career Development Centre, Brantford:
SC Johnson Building, 1st floor ● 519.756.8228 x5726
careerbranford@wlu.ca ● www.wlu.ca/career