Cover Letter Workshop
Creating
Cover
Letters
That
Work!
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is your chance to sell yourself to a potential employer as the best
candidate for the job. This means, that your well written and thought out cover letter is
just as important as your resume.
The most important thing to remember is that your cover letter serves a separate function
from your resume and should not be used to repeat the details of your resume. The
resume outlines your professional experience, education, skills and achievements. The
cover letter should detail your intentions, what you bring to the job and why you are the
best candidate for the position.
Types of Cover Letters
In Response to an Advertisement:
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State the job title, location and job number if applicable
Make reference to the attached resume
Provide information about your skills, experience and achievements, as they
directly relate to the advertized job requirements
Indicate your plan to follow up
Thank them for their time and consideration
To Cold-Call or Target a Company:
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Create immediate interest from the employer’s perspective by stating your
compatibility to the work environment and your sincere interest in the company
State the purpose of your letter (to obtain employment with their company)
State your skills/accomplishments, experience and personal traits, and illustrate
how these will benefit the organization
State your career objective, refer to your attached resume, and indicate your
plan to follow-up
Thank them for their time and consideration
Cover Letter Check List:
Activity
1.0
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One page only with 3 - 5 targeted paragraphs
Use your computer to spell-check
Write to someone specific (if details given) spell name and title correctly
Use the same formatting, font and paper as your resume
3-5 focused paragraphs – focus on the employer's needs, not yours
Close the letter formally e.g. Sincerely or Yours truly
If sending via Canada Post or delivering it in person
remember to sign your cover letter
Final step: do not forget to follow up, or all the other steps will be in vain!
Youth Employment Services YES – Page 1
Do:
Cover Letter Do’s & Don’ts
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Research the company
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Be focused & concise
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Address the letter to the hiring manager using his/her proper name and title
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Always proofread, checking for grammar and spelling errors
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Highlight your strengths and achievements
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Use specific examples and tailor your cover letter using key words and qualifications
listed in the job ad
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Indicate when you will follow up
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Show sincere enthusiasm
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Remember to sign your cover letter in blue or black pen if delivering your cover letter
by fax, mail or in person
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Remember to quote the position title and job ad number if this information was given
Don’t:
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Duplicate your cover letter for all positions
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Mention negatives or use negative language
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Talk above or below your reader (using large or slang words)
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Mention salary or wage unless requested
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Discuss “leaving story” (why you were fired or quit previous jobs)
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Discuss availability (such as days or weekends unless requested by employer)
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Use first names (e.g. “Attention Dan”), or “To whom it may concern”
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Lie
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Put your references in your cover letter. Bring a separate reference list and bring it to
the interview
Always prepare a cover letter
unless told otherwise and
remember to sell yourself.
Youth Employment Services YES – Page 2
Cover Letter Template
Your Name
12 – 456 Queen Street West, Toronto ON, M6R 2K8
416.236.4587 ▪ connor.smith@hotmail.com
Date
Employer Name
Employer Job Title
Company Name
Company Address
Fax Number if faxing Resume
Dear Mr/Ms Last Name:
Paragraph 1 - Introduction
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State your enthusiasm and the title of the position you are applying for
Where you saw the advertisement
If you found out about this position through networking, use the name of the
person here
Paragraph 2 - Your accomplishments
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State what you can bring to the job. Indicate your skills, related education
and/or training completed, achievements and experience referencing the
job ad qualifications
Paragraph 3 - Why this company or career?
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From your research, tell the employer why you want to work for them
Mention how you are compatible with their company culture and are able to
contribute to their mission, or how you are able to serve their clientele
Offer insight into their needs and how you will be able to meet those needs
Paragraph 4 - Closing
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Be assertive with closing remarks to show interest
Indicate that you will follow up and when
Thank them for their time and consideration
Sincerely,
Your Name
Youth Employment Services YES – Page 3
Sample Cover Letter – Apprenticeship
John Gomez
23 Elm Street, Toronto, ON, M4R 5K6
(416) 555-2345 john.gomez@hotmail.com
November 10, 2010
Ms. Natalie Rogers
Services Manager
Acme Motor Sales Ltd.
455 Ivy Ave.
Toronto, ON, M4W 1S2
(416) 787-7789
Dear Ms. Rogers,
Please accept my application for the position of Apprentice Mechanic which was advertised on
the Workopolis website on November 10, 2010.
I have always enjoyed working on cars, and have experience doing car repairs for friends and
relatives. I worked as a pump attendant at Al’s Auto Service on Main Street last summer where
I gained a great deal of experience in minor car repairs and maintenance. I am a friendly,
flexible and hard working person and can work with minimal supervision.
Through my research, I know your shop has been in business in the neighbourhood for over 20
years and has a large pool of faithful customers. I believe I can be easily trained to perform the
tasks required of an apprentice and I am eager to gain additional hands on experience working
alongside your talented team of mechanics.
I am enclosing my resume, and would very much like to talk with you in person at your
convenience. I can be reached at (416) 555-2345 to arrange an interview. I will follow up in a
few days to ensure that you have received my resume and cover letter. Thank you in advance
for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
John Gomez
Youth Employment Services YES – Page 4