CO-OP EDUCATION PROGRAM
TARGETED COVER LETTERS
Guidelines for writing an effective
Co-op Cover Letter
+ Reference Sheet Format
arts.ucalgary.ca/coop/
COVER LETTERS
PURPOSE
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Indicate availability and interest
Summarize expertise related to position
Show why you should be interviewed
Highlight your writing skills
Cover letter should compliment resume but
also be able to stand alone
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
COVER LETTER FORMAT
• One page
• Left Justified
• 11-12 font
• Same style as resume
• 1/2 to 2/3page of text
• Three or four paragraphs
• Open / Sell / Close
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
COVER LETTER FORMAT
Your postal address
Date
Employer postal address
Salutation with a name indicated
Dear Ms. Brown
Without a name
Re: State Position
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
OPENING PARAGRAPH
• Include Position and where you found
posting – ie: CareerLink
• Mention your degree, what work term you
are seeking and when you are available
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
SELL PARAGRAPHS - ACADEMICS
• Indicate any course work or projects from
your degree that relate to the position
• Mention major projects or reports that
highlight your knowledge base
• Also mention any optional courses that
would help you succeed
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
SELL PARAGRAPHS - SKILLS
• Review posting and ensure to highlight skills
mentioned
• Elaborate with specific examples from work,
volunteer, sports or academic experiences
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
CLOSING PARAGRAPH
• Thank employer for consideration
• Mention something specific about the
company
• Indicate why you are excited to work with
them
• Include phone number and email address
• This information should be on both the cover
letter and resume
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
SIGNATURE
• Sign with “Yours truly” or “Sincerely Yours”
• Leave four spaces
• Signature
• Your name
• Encl. Directly below your name – indicates at least
one enclosure
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
DELIVERY
Email
• Attach cover letter and resume as one
document
• Title document with your name and job title
• If possible submit a pdf version rather than a
word doc
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
COVER LETTER BASICS
• Your cover letter is part of your first
impression to the employer
• It is also and example of your writing skills
EDIT AND PROOF READ!
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
Your Address
October 23, year
Company Name
444 7 Ave. SW
Calgary, AB T2P 0X8
Re: Co-op Student, Applications Business Unit
Please consider the attached application for the co-op position that was posted on CareerLink. I am a third year student at the University of
Calgary pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and I am looking to start my first co-op work term in January .
As an Economics major, I believe that I bring a strong set of skills suited for this position including research, analysis and knowledge of SPSS
gained from my coursework. I have strong research and organizational skills from courses including an introductory econometrics course. As
well, in a Sociology course, (Name of Course) I contributed towards a research project, and as part of a team compiled data using SPSS and
wrote a 20 page research paper regarding this research. The final project was presented to a class of 35 using graphs, photos and video
images with the aid of PowerPoint slides.
In my role as the Vice President of the Economics Student club, I helped coordinate two major conferences and two events that each attracted
over 100 participants. I have strong communication skills gained from my role as Orientation Leader for the Student Success Centre at the
University of Calgary, where I lead tours of the school for prospective students and visit high schools to speak to students about the University
of Calgary.
I am interested in working for the Calgary Counselling Centre, as I would like to assist in the success of your valuable organization by
participating in the cost-benefit analysis of CCC’ services. I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you and discuss this position further
and can be reached at (phone and email) Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Student Name
Encl.
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
REFERENCES
• You take your list of references to the interview
• Format top of sheet to match your resume
• This will include your name and contact info
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/
REFERENCES
• List 2-3 references
• Indicate position of reference
• Provide correct contact information
• Be sure to ask references prior to interview
• Follow up with a thank- you
arts.ucalgary.ca/co-op/