The Cover LetterThe Cover Letter

Prepared byPrepared by

Anita De IureAnita De Iure

Accompanies Resume:Accompanies Resume:

Sent by mailSent by mail Sent by faxSent by fax Sent by e-mailSent by e-mail

A good cover letterA good cover letter

Demonstrates your writing and Demonstrates your writing and communication skillscommunication skills

Shows you have done your research Shows you have done your research about the field and the employerabout the field and the employer

Summarizes your skills and training Summarizes your skills and training relevant to the positionrelevant to the position

Communicates your enthusiasm for the Communicates your enthusiasm for the position and the employerposition and the employer

TipsTips

One page in lengthOne page in length Neat, precise, and free of errorsNeat, precise, and free of errors Always addressed to a specific Always addressed to a specific

individual, not to a departmentindividual, not to a department Use same letterhead as resume (if Use same letterhead as resume (if

sent by mail)sent by mail) If necessary, call to get the name If necessary, call to get the name

of the personof the person

Parts of a LetterParts of a Letter

Letterhead Letterhead (includes your (includes your name, address, name, address, phone, e-mail)phone, e-mail)

DateDate 4 to 6 blank lines4 to 6 blank lines Inside addressInside address Salutation (to a Salutation (to a

specific person)specific person)

ParagraphsParagraphs Complementary Complementary

closingclosing 4 to 6 blank lines 4 to 6 blank lines

for you to sign for you to sign your nameyour name

Typed nameTyped name

Three PartsThree Parts

Opening: Opening: spark the employer’s interestspark the employer’s interest

Middle: Middle: one or two paragraphs to market one or two paragraphs to market

yourselfyourself

Closing:Closing: state clearly what happens next state clearly what happens next

First ParagraphFirst Paragraph

State your reason for writingState your reason for writing Identify the position for which you Identify the position for which you

are applyingare applying Indicate how your heard about the Indicate how your heard about the

openingopening State why you are interested in State why you are interested in

working for this specific employer working for this specific employer

Sample TextSample Text

My teacher, Anita DeIure, suggested I contact My teacher, Anita DeIure, suggested I contact you concerning..you concerning..

……regarding our conversation yesterday/last regarding our conversation yesterday/last week...week...

The National Post of February 21 contained an The National Post of February 21 contained an article aboutarticle about

Mr. James Warner informed me ….Mr. James Warner informed me …. Your company interests me becauseYour company interests me because I would like to apply for….I would like to apply for….

Middle ParagraphsMiddle Paragraphs

State your capacity to succeed in a State your capacity to succeed in a specific fieldspecific field

Emphasize your key qualificationsEmphasize your key qualifications Tie in pertinent informationTie in pertinent information Remember: resume states what you have Remember: resume states what you have

done; letter should integrate this with done; letter should integrate this with what you have learnedwhat you have learned

Include a final sentence that summarizes Include a final sentence that summarizes the strength of your candidacythe strength of your candidacy

Sample TextSample Text My experience in accounting includes…My experience in accounting includes… As a junior clerk, I would…As a junior clerk, I would… I have worked at developingI have worked at developing My course work in Word and Excel exposed me toMy course work in Word and Excel exposed me to I am confident that I have demonstrated…I am confident that I have demonstrated… These experiences make me an ideal candidate for..These experiences make me an ideal candidate for.. My qualifications are based on a combination of …My qualifications are based on a combination of … As a student, I have developed and applied skills...As a student, I have developed and applied skills...

Final ParagraphFinal Paragraph

Provide employer with additional Provide employer with additional informationinformation

Emphasize your career objectiveEmphasize your career objective In most cases, indicate that you In most cases, indicate that you

will call the employerwill call the employer Include contact informationInclude contact information

Sample TextSample Text

Enclosed is my resume…Enclosed is my resume… I am interested in discussing…I am interested in discussing… I will contact you… to arrange an I will contact you… to arrange an

interview…interview… I will be in Toronto during…I will be in Toronto during… You may reach me after 4 p.m. on You may reach me after 4 p.m. on

weekdays at …weekdays at …

Thank You LettersThank You Letters

A statement of appreciation for time A statement of appreciation for time spent with youspent with you

Mention of specific topics discussedMention of specific topics discussed Mention of any follow-up requestedMention of any follow-up requested Pertinent information not covered in the Pertinent information not covered in the

interviewinterview Re-affirmation of your interest in and Re-affirmation of your interest in and

qualifications for the positionqualifications for the position A final thank youA final thank you