Cover Letters

After preparing your resume for a job position, it is still too generic a document to send by itself. A resume focuses on you and your qualifications. A cover letter explains why you are sending the resume to the employer and will emphasize and/or expand on the parts of the resume you wish to bring to the employer’s attention. It is an introduction to yourself, your skills, and your desire to work for that company.

A cover letter should always be personalized to the employer to whom it is addressed. Try to find the name of the person in charge of hiring for the position/department. It takes only a quick phone call to ask for the person’s name and to verify the spelling. If you cannot locate a name try to find information about the company that would provide you with a position title or department to direct your letter to. This could be the Human Resources Department, Hiring Department or Manager. In social service or non-profit organizations this might be the Hiring Committee or Director.

Outline of a Cover Letter

Within the body of the letter:

Mention your interest in the position you are applying for.
Specify how your qualifications match specific job requirements found in the job advertisement.
Express your interest in working for that particular organization.
State your availability for further contact.

In the closing paragraph:

Ask for an interview and to express appreciation for the reader’s consideration.

Notes:

The cover letter should always be typed unless specifically asked to be hand-written
Your name, address and phone number should always appear at the top of the letter
Make sure there are no spelling or grammar errors
Make sure your letter is pleasingly positioned on the page (centred)
Align the letter to the left side of the page
Don’t forget to sign it

On the following pages you will find an outline and samples of a cover letter. The sample is only a guideline on how to write a letter and put the content together.

Each cover letter you produce will be geared towards the specific job you are applying for.

Many cover letter writing books are available in the Employment Resource Centre. Feel free to ask staff about these resources.

Outline of a Cover Letter

Your Name
Your Mailing Address
City, Province
Postal Code
Your Phone Number

Date

Name of Contact, Contact’s Title
Name of Company
Company Mailing Address
City, Province
Postal Code
Fax Number (if required)

Dear (Name of Contact): (or) Attn.: Human Resources Department

1st Paragraph : Why you are writing

Opening statement should be strong to capture the employer’s interest.
Reference should be made about source of job lead - newspaper ad, HRDC job bank, contact with another person. Be sure to include the date of the ad, position title, and any file or job bank order #.

2nd Paragraph :What you have to offer

Make brief statements about your skills, experiences and accomplishments that relate to the position you are seeking – relate these to what the employer is looking for (i.e. requirements listed in the job ad, or skills you know are essential to the job.

3rd Paragraph : Why this company

Explain briefly why you are interested in working for the employer/organization.
Demonstrate you know something about the company.

Closing Paragraph :Follow-up

Request an interview, and indicate that you look forward to having a personal interview with the employer.
State the phone number where you can be reached.

Sincerely,

(your signature)

Your name typed

Encl./2 pg. Resume

Sample Cover Letter

Applicant Name
123 Main Street
Town, Province
Postal Code
(123) 456-7890

Date

Mr. ABC, Manager
The Manufacturing Company
Town, Province
Postal Code
Fax Number

Dear Mr. ABC:

I was very interested to see your advertisement for the Administrative Assistant position with The Manufacturing Company in the March 15, 2001 edition of the local newspaper. I have been seeking such an opportunity as this, and believe that my background and your requirements are a good match. My resume is enclosed for your review.

I have eight years of office experience, three of which were within a manufacturing environment. My typing speed is 60 wpm with high accuracy. I am a reliable and flexible individual with the experience and skill base required to be successful with The Manufacturing Company. In addition, I have training in MS Office as required for the position.

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the position of Administrative Assistant in detail, and to expand on my experiences and skills. I can be reached at (613) 123-4567 any time. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Applicant Name

Encl./2 page resume

Sample Cover Letter

March 10, 2007

Brad Cameron
634 Seventh Avenue Extension
Pittsburg, PA 15219
(412) 555-7122

Donita Bracamonte
Knox Support Services
1642 M Street
Philadelphia, PA 19124-9962

Dear Ms. Bracamonte,

As one who is eager to advance my career in sales and marketing, I am submitting the enclosed resume for your review. I would appreciate being considered as an addition to your staff.

My background includes both retail sales and experience as a recruiter for a four-year college. In both capacities, I have gained an invaluable background in self-motivation, time management, communication skills, and other attributes vital to successful marketing.

I am a diligent worker who enjoys learning new skills and techniques. My positive attitude and emphasis on teamwork would be valuable assets for your organization.

I will be very grateful for the chance to talk with you about your company’s needs and how I might meet them. I can be reached at (412) 555-7122 and am available at your convenience.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Brad Cameron

Encl./resume

Once your job search has ended and you find a job, there are things you can do to make your working life successful.

Communication skills
Working well with others requires effective communication skills, which can be learned on the job. Listening well to what is being said and asking for clarification when necessary are two particularly important skills in the workplace.

People skills
Good people skills are essential in the workplace and take time to develop. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

Practise patience. In the workplace, you often have to depend on others to get the job done, just as others may have to rely on you. The modern workplace relies on teamwork, so you need to stay calm under pressure and respect your co-workers.

Learn to accept criticism. When your supervisor hands something back to you for corrections, or suggests a different way of doing something, don't get upset; constructive criticism is part of the learning process.

Give others space to do their jobs. Ask questions if you need to, but learn to trust in your own ability to make decisions. When first training for a job, everyone will understand if you have questions about how to do things. After you settle in, try to solve problems on your own before going to your boss. That will show the employer and the other employees that you have the resources and initiative to find things out for yourself.

Forgive the mistakes of others as well as your own. Everyone has days when things don't go the right way. Being able to forgive yourself and others when mistakes are made will make you a better team member.

Learning styles
When you start a new job, there is a lot to learn about the organization, your employer, other employees and your position. That’s why it’s important to know how you learn best. For example:

Are you more likely to turn a computer on and start playing with it, or would you read the manual first?
Do you learn best by hearing about tasks, reading about tasks or performing tasks?

Let your employer know how you learn best and ask for what you need if necessary. It’s also important to look at how you can add different techniques to your learning style, like slowing down before jumping into a task or asking someone to show you how best to perform a task.

The power of knowledge
Knowledge gives you more choices. The more you learn, the more valuable you become to employers. You may be able to apply for higher positions within your organization or to transfer into another job with more responsibility.

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