6. why write a cover letter?
• shows your INTENTIONS & INTERESTS
– shows SINCERITY and RESEARCH
• demonstrates ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE
– CREATIVE and PROFESSIONAL
• opportunity to elaborate on YOUR STORIES
– drawn from your SKILLS MATRIX
12. opening takeaways
• Expresses keen and genuine interest and/or passion for position
• Genuine and unique primary and secondary research indicating
interest in company (Make sure the research you show is tied to
your interest)
• Name Drop (where applicable)
• Makes a clear expression of the skills/experience matching the job
description
14. you need a hook!
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:
17. skills matching
• skills from your skills matrix match
the job description (use STARL)
• best relevant experiences
• link education and other training to
the job, and link to the co/position if
it’s not obvious
• any other qualifications
if it doesn’t belong, don’t include it!
20. closing
“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.”
21. closing
“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.”
22. closing
• 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 (tie to hook)
23. closing
• address the elephant in the room
– bad grades
– relocation
– year of study
25. branding
• consistent throughout cover letter
• fits in with the company’s values + yours
• good impression
• use Job Research Assignment
26. integration
• cover letter + resume use
SAME formatting
• stands out!
• cover letter reflects and
expands on resume
• be mindful of spacing
27. formatting (address)
Date
Contact Name
Their Title
Company
Address
City, Province, Postal Code
Re: Position Title
Dear Mr. / Ms. Their Last Name OR Hiring Manager
These spaces are
important
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
29. 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 2016These spaces
are important
31. can, want, fit
CAN you do
the job?
Do you
WANT
the job?
Are you
the right
FIT?
32. 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
33. action items
• sign up for office hours!
• cover letter draft due next tutorial!
– bring 2 copies + your job posting!
• job posting research assignment is due on
turnitin Sunday, Feb 7th
• skills matrix due Feb 12th
• tutorial next week! Puppy of the week!
Notas del editor
-This class mimics a drawn out version of the job application process
-You’ve done your SQ, research, skills matrix…
-After finishing this process, what steps will you have to repeat for the next job?
Cover letter shows your INTEREST in the firm
It shows your stories, but more importantly, how that links to their firm
Make connection right off the bat
Preface the skills that you’ll be showcasing
Started off telling a story, capturing attention
Starts off with a story!
-Get reader’s attention
I feel like you can make any skill belong, if you’re able to build the right bridge and link.
Story time:
When applying to KPMG, I had a whole bunch of marketing experience on my resume from UBCMA, from working at an advertising agency. So I really focused on what I had learned through marketing about building client relationships and selling a business. I was able to communicate that I understood the parallel between a client in the financial services industry and a consumer in a consumer packaged goods company for example.
Problem is that you can replace ABC with any other company name, and they wouldn’t even be able to tell.
You have personalized a cover letter enough when you replace the co’s name with another company and it no longer works.
Impression they’re left with after they finish reading your cover letter
BRANDING YOURSELF TO THE ORGANIZATION
They’re looking for a reason to throw out your CL, don’t give them one
Resume is the can. Cover letter is all three components.