Cover Letters Presented by Langara Co-op & Career Development Centre

Basics  Introduction to your resume  In the letter you will point out the key qualifications you have, express interest in the position, and ask for an opportunity to go in for an interview  Cover letter should be to the point, and not overly long

Why You Are Writing  If you have been referred by a mutual contact, be sure to mention his/her name up front  If you are responding to a job posting, mention where you saw the posting and the title of the position  Express your enthusiasm and the likely match between your credentials and the position’s qualifications  Capture the reader’s attention

What You Have to Offer  Refer specifically to the qualifications listed  Illustrate how your particular abilities and experiences relate to the position  Express your potential to fulfill the employer’s needs rather than focus on what the employer can offer you

What You Have to Offer Con’t  Give evidence that you have researched the company carefully  Emphasize your achievements and problem solving skills  Show how your education and work skills are transferable

Reasons Employers Give for not Interviewing  They received a “form letter”  You addressed your letter to the wrong person, or called a man “Ms” or a woman “Mr”  You included irrelevant material instead of answering the ad  Your letter was too long to read – no time  You didn’t seem interested in this job with this company  Your letter was not signed  There were spelling and grammatical errors

How to Write the Letter 1.Use a standard business letter format 2.Include your contact information 3.Write the date 4.Include the company information

How to Write the Letter Con’t 5.5. Address the Letter to someone specifically 6.6. Write out your qualifications and accomplishments as an answer to the job posting 7.Tell the reader how to reach you for an interview 8.Sign the letter