Writing a Cover Letter

1. Cover Letter Writing a Cover Letter IT 8/9 Edmond Chin

2. Purpose What is the purpose of a cover letter? • To score an interview! • Introduces you to the employer. • To show a prospective employer that your skills and experience are the best match for the job.

3. Structure • Cover letters vary from one to the next as there are no “correct” cover letters but you can say that there are “incorrect” cover letters.

4. Structure • Cover letters should not be more than one page in length. • All lines begin at the left margin. • Block style. • 3-4 paragraphs. • Include your phone number and email address. • The spacing between date and employer’s mailing address can vary depending on the length of the body paragraphs. Use spacing that balances the page.

5. Structure • Heading: • Contains your contact information • Date of your letter • Name of the person you are addressing • First paragraph (Introduction): • Convey your purpose. • Establish reasons for why you are interested in the company. • Second paragraph (Body): • Demonstrate your suitability for the job. • Detail your relevant skills, experience, education, interests, personal qualities, and specific work achievements. • Third paragraph (closing): • Establish your expectation of a positive response. • Close with your availability for an interview.

6. Tips • Always customize your letter towards the specific job you are applying for. • Do some research before you write your letter. Show that you are familiar with the company background. • Keep it brief and to the point. • Proof read your letter and make sure there are no spelling mistakes. • Edit and revise your letter so that it’s correct in spelling, punctuation, sub-verb agreement, capitalization, and grammar.

7. Tips CanadianCareers.com has compiled a list of top 10 tipsfor cover letters: • don't address your letter "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern";  find out who will be receiving the applications, usually a Human Resources Manager/Advisor, and address the letter to him/her • check your spelling and grammar and proofread it over and over again; use a word-processing package with built-in spell-checking and ask a friend to check it too ...  if you don't take the time and effort at this point, what should the employer expect from you after you have been hired! • never write the cover letter by hand; word-process it and get it laser printed (or print on the best mode possible using an ink-jet printer) • use an active voice and take ownership for your accomplishments; don't start every sentence with "I" • send a customized cover letter for every position you are applying for, not a form letter.  Form letters will not impress the hiring manager. You must research the company and determine the traits and qualities they are looking for. • be specific ... saying you are efficient, a team player, or have excellent communication skills is fine, but back it up with specifics from your experiences • don't just repeat what is on your resume. Take the opportunity to tell the employer what you can do for the company- that is, why you should be hired for this particular position at that particular company. • keep it brief ... cover letters should be kept to one page, and in general, paragraphs should be kept to four to six lines or so.  Full-block format is typically used. • use special effects (bold, different fonts, colour) sparingly or not at all; keep it professional. A standard font (Arial or Times Roman, 11 or 12 point size) is usually a good idea. • your cover letter is one of your key marketing documents - make it count!

8. Lets look at three cover letter examples: • Would you hire any of them? • Why or why not?

9. Your task for today is to: Write your own cover letter. - Make it up. - You can use the templates from Microsoft word. - Click on “File”, “New”, “Letters”, “Cover Letters”.

10. Some useful links: www.canadiancareers.com/coverletter.html www.careerplanning.about.com www.youth.gc.ca