Cover Letter

1. Room Setup

2. Name cards out!
Technology away!
Curtis Kuznecov – T01 & T11
Comm 202
Tutorial #4

3. Where are we at?
StrengthsQuest
Job Research
Skills Matrix
Cover Letter
Resume
Interview!!

4. Agenda
 Cover Letters
 Group Activity
 Action Items

5. Cover Letters

6. Why write one….
 Shows your sincere interest in the job
 Showcases your communication and writing skills
 Gives you the opportunity to elaborate on your experiences
 From your Skills Matrix
 Lets you show a little personality!
 Shows you are a human and not just an application

7. Resume Vs. Cover Letter
Resume is about YOU
Cover Letter is about THEM

8. Elements of the Cover Letter
Integration + Formatting
Branding
Opening
Skill Matching
Closing

9. Opening
Dear ,
My name is ,
and
I am applying to
.

10. Opening – Key Takeaways
Expresses keen and genuine interest and/or passion
for position
Makes a clear expression of the skills/experience
matching the job description
Genuine and unique primary and secondary research
indicating interest in company (Make sure the research
you show is tied to your interests)
Name drop (where applicable)
Be unique!

11. Opening – The Hook

12. Opening – My Example
What could be done better……

13. Opening – Another Example
How fast can you change four tires? One hour? Ten minutes? A few years
ago I witnessed a Formula One team do it in 2.7 seconds. They said a
perfect run would be just one second. In everything that I do I strive to
reach that one second – that perfect test score, that perfect presentation,
that perfect career.
After speaking with Jake Woodson, a recent hire, Dion Chen, and other
industry professionals, I know that my personality and passion lies in
sales and trading. Through my unique athletic background and passion, I
will provide competitiveness and drive that will set a benchmark for future
interns. I cannot wait to sit on a trading floor, execute trades, and engage
in research while receiving mentorship from the most world-renowned
investment bank. A career with Goldman Sachs is my one second and
this is how I will help Goldman reach its own one second ideal:

14. Opening – Another Example

15. Your Turn! – So you think
you can hook!

16. Skills Matching

17. Skills Matching
Skills – from job descriptions & skills matrix
Experience – best, relevant experiences
Education – how you’ll leverage your BCom
Matching qualifications – any other qualifications
If it doesn’t belong, don’t include it!

18. Skills Matching – Bullet Points

19. Skills Matching – Paragraph Style

20. Skills Matching – Key Takeaways
Use STARL to your advantage – Action and Link!
Each line proves you have the necessary skills &
aptitudes to perform on the job
Always link to the company/position if not
obvious
Use skills listed in the job description
Sometimes, don’t be afraid to take risks

21. Closing

22. Closing – What not to do
“Thank you for looking at my
application. I hope that I have
shown you that my interpersonal
skills, my leadership skills, and my
ability to perform on a team make
me a perfect fit for ABC position.
Thank you very much and I hope to
hear from you soon.”
Generic and Boring…….

23. Closing – My Example
What could be done better……

24. Closing – The Elephant
Address the elephant in the room!
 Bad Grades
 Relocation

25. Closing – Key Takeaways
Make a good final impression
Show your passion
Restate skills with a different wording
Give genuine thanks
Leave a call to action
Tie to previous examples/stories

26. Closing – More Examples

27. Branding
Consistent throughout cover letter
Fits with the company’s values & yours
Good impression
Use Research Assignment

28. Integration – Key Takeaways
• CL & resume use same
formatting
• Helps you to stand out!
• CL reflects & expands
upon resume
• Be Mindful of spacing

29. Formatting – Address Line
Date
Contact Name
Their Title
Company
Address
City, Province Postal Code
Re: Position Title
Dear Mr. / Ms. Their Last Name OR Hiring
Manager
If unknown, this
can be omitted
AVOID:
“To Whom it May
Concern”
“Dear Sir or Madam”
Country is typically
unnecessary unless
applying outside of
Canada

30. Examples – Address Line

31. Formatting – Sign Off
Sincerely,
Your Name
BCom Candidate 20XX
Sauder School of Business
Attached: Resume
Regards,
Best,
Written signature optional
(provide more space if
including)
Attached: Resume,
Transcript
Use “Enclosed: …” only if
sending application by mail
BCom Candidate 2016
These
spaces are
important

32. Examples – Address Line

34. This Thursday @ 12:30 - HA 492
Come meet Dan Moore,
President –
Southwestern
Advantage
Speaking on:
“Certainty in a Completely
Uncertain Future”
What can you do now to be
ready for just about anything as
our world changes increasingly
fast?
*202 bonus marks eligible

35. Action Items
 Cover Letter Draft due next tutorial (bring 2 copies)
 Sign up for Office Hours!
 Job Posting Research Assignment due Sunday (Feb 7th) via
Turnitin
 Skills Matrix due February 12th via Turnitin
 Tutorial next week!