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BCC Competitive Cover Letters
- 1. Compet i ti ve Cover Let t ers January 19, 2017
- 2. Goals of thisworkshop • Understand the purpose of cover letters • Develop an employer perspective • Discover the importance of the job description • Tailor your experiences to match requirements • Understand different paragraphs of cover letters
- 3. In groups of2 or 3, discuss the purpose of the cover letter from: •An applicant viewpoint •An employer viewpoint What is the Purpose for writing a Cover Letter? Why Do we write cover letters?
- 4. The Role ofa Cover Letter is about YOU THEM OSCAR LIU 2222 Markam Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 3M# (604) 360–2222 | oscarkhhiu@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/oscarkhiu PROFILE Third year Sauder School of Business student with experience leading and working in teams. Specializing in Accounting and pursuing a career in public accounting after graduation. Able to persevere and thrive in stressful situations through working since the age of 16 and extensive involvement in clubs. Developed a keen interest in building genuine personal and professional relationships through experiences of travelling around the world and frequently moving from one place to another since a very young age. Fluent in English and Cantonese, conversational Mandarin and French. EDUCATION SAUDER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver, BC Bachelor of Commerce –Specialization: Accounting, Cumulative Average: 85.6% Expected Completion: May 2019 • Key Courses: Financial Accounting (98%), Intro to Finance (93%), Management Information Systems (91%), Microeconomics (89%), Managerial Accounting (85%), Macroeconomics (85%), Quantitative Decision Making (85%) • Case Competitions: Invited to PwC Toronto as BC Region Winners for PwC Ignite, invited to and placed second in Premiere 32: Gala Round, placed second in Premiere 32: Second Round, placed second in First Year Case Competition • Involvement: COMM290 (Quantitative Decision Making) Teaching Assistant for two lab sections of 35 students each, VP Internal for UBC Business Communications Club, Events Director for Enactus UBC, Quick Service Attendant at Canucks WORK EXPERIENCE ASSURANCE ASSOCIATE, SUMMER Vancouver, BC PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP May 2016 – Aug 2016 • Perform controls and substantive testing for clients using audit and office software such as Aura and Microsoft Excel • Called external companies to confirm bank records and accounts receivable records using strong communication skills • Facilitate a positive environment by leading the yearbook committee to document the summer internship experience FRONT END ASSOCIATE – CASHIER Vancouver, BC The Real Canadian Superstore Aug 2013 – Nov 2014 • Improved efficiency of transactions by rapidly processing 24 items per minute, an increase of 26% from the average • Maintained a high level of customer satisfaction by resolving customer complaints with courtesy and efficiency • Organized cash drawer, upwards of $6000 per shift; minimized counting error through perfectly balanced drawers • Recognized by management and received accolades from unique and repeat customers of customer service excellence EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES CORPORATE RELATIONS MANAGER Vancouver, BC Commerce Undergraduate Society Apr 2015 – May 2016 • Acquired two sponsors for the Commerce Undergraduate Society by organizing a networking breakfast in a team of six for fifty delegates and fifty students to discuss potential sponsorship opportunities • Maintain positive rapport through effective communication via email and phone while liaising with CUS-affiliated services SPEND IT RIGHT PROJECT ASSOCIATE/EVENTS DIRECTOR Vancouver, BC Enactus UBC Sep 2014 – Feb 2015, May 2015 – Apr 2016 • Liaised and presented to six high school teams in the Greater Vancouver region to provide insight about utilizing business tools (SWOT, Excel, Breakeven) for their own entrepreneurial soap-making endeavors • Organized a business case competition between five high school teams, hosting 55 people in total, to showcase their social- entrepreneurial product which was met with great response from the high school teachers • Decreased expenses by 17% by securing in-kind and monetary sponsorship for the competition via phone calls and emails SUMMER EVENTS COORDINATOR AND WEEKLY VOLUNTEER Vancouver, BC Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House Sep 2010 – Jun 2014 • Planned and successfully ran five park days for parents to bring their children to play with a team of six dedicated youths • Coordinated two annual holiday meals for seniors and youths by setting up food and cutlery and preparing Christmas carols INTERESTS • Building puzzles and Rubik’s toys, graphic design, recreational photography, all genres of music, Greek mythology
- 5. Thinking like ahiring manager…
- 6. What are employerslooking for? CAN Can this candidate do the job? •Hard skills (Learned abilities) •Soft skills (Personal Attributes) WANT Does this candidate want the job? •Demonstrate company interest & job interest FIT Will this candidate fit our culture? •Align with their vision, mission, values VALUE How will they add value? •What skills you bring •The impact you will make
- 7. How to standout from the crowd?
- 8. Determining the Match Theposted job description or known opportunity Your job history, experience, and skills Letter Content
- 9. The importance of a jobdescription Step 1: Read the position description. Step 2: Circle, highlight or underline key words, hard skills, or attributes. Step 3: If you were a hiring manager, what would the 5 most important aspects be if you were hiring a student. Step 4: Prioritize your 5 points.
- 11. • List the5 most important requirements of the role • Think back to your classes • What are some key terms related to your option /industry? • What are some personal attributes needed to succeed in your chosen field? • How does what I have done match the needs of the employers
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- 15. Cover Letters –the Breakdown
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- 17. A guide tothe perfect “hook” Who are you? Align yourself with what they’re looking for culturally Use a personal story, if relevant Mention any networking you’ve done with them Nail the Lead Answer these questions: Why do you want this role? How do you resonate with their values?
- 18. Example: Intro ParagraphDear Ms.Moffat, “I will just follow my gut” was my mindset when I started my venture on campus. However, I soon realized that just having an idea wasn’t enough to succeed. Profitable businesses need good logistics so I turned to UBC Sauder’s Operations and Logistics program to help build the competencies necessary to turn my idea into action. I learned that consumer communication and supplier/customer relations, two of Nestle’s main principles, are the most important elements in improving logistics. Equipped with analytical skills, solid academics and an entrepreneurial spirit, I am confident that I will help Nestle achieve the lean operations in strives for in its global supply chain.
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- 20. Example: Body Paragraph (Work) Asan Airfreight Export Agent at Kuehne + Nagel Ltd., I helped clients export perishable goods quickly and efficiently. One simple mistake could result in a transportation delay, which could destroy the entire cargo. Under such demanding circumstances I strived to achieve excellence by navigating the company’s complex software for documentation processes while abiding by standard operation procedures. I organized my documents and prioritized multiple tasks to complete the job while double-checking my work to ensure accuracy. Most importantly, I worked as a team player, asking relevant questions and voluntarily offering help when needed resulting in shortened timelines, customer satisfaction and stellar feedback from my supervisor. The exposure to the transportation of goods and my strong work ethic have prepared me to add value to Nestle.
- 21. Example: Body Paragraph (School) Tobolster my analytical skills, this past term I took a Quantitative Decision- making course. The course involved building complex Excel models, analyzing sensitivity reports, and finding the optimal solution to problems. In building these models, I was determined to focus on the details to ensure the success of my model. By thinking critically, I gained a strong understanding of the core concepts and excelled on the assignments and exams. To further develop my MS Excel skills, I am currently taking an online course that covers data analysis including pivot tables and mathematical functions. With these new skills in hand, I look forward to contributing to the success of Nestle’s process management.
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- 23. Finish Strong • Summarizeyour points • “I’m excited to offer my expertise in…” • Recall your introduction • Connect back to the story at the beginning • Is there another way you resonate with the company? • Call to action • “I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss my qualifications.”
- 24. Example: Closing Paragraph My experiencein inventory management and strong grasp of data driven decision-making has prepared me for Nestle’s fast-paced, innovative and consumer-oriented environment. I am confident that my skills will help accomplish your goal of achieving lean operations. I look forward to an opportunity to discuss my qualifications in more detail at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.
- 25. Branding Differentiate yourself Consistent throughoutthe document Fits with the company’s values & yours
- 26. Integration CL & Resumeuse SAME formatting CL reflects & expands on resume
- 27. Cover Letter Review- Repeats and Reminders 1. Error free 2. Well formatted – professional – consistent 3. ONE PAGE - MAX! 4. Not repetitive of resume 5. Not too text heavy – possible use of bullets 6. Margins minimum .75 inches 7. Don’t start with “My name is….” 8. Incorrect salutation Details Count!
- 28. BCom Career SuccessCycle Resources - COOL
- 29. •1:1 Coaching withthe BCC: • Cover Letters •1:1 Coaching with the Career Peer Advisors: • Cover Letters •Brand You: The Secrets to Building a Powerful Personal Brand – Cover Letters (RSVP on COOL) •Other resources on COOL: • Connect –e-modules • Sauder Career Success Cycle Additional Resources
Editor's Notes
- #3 Agenda: Review a job description Quick activity Dive deeper into each component of your resume Work in pairs to look at each others resume and provide input
- #4 2 minutes to discuss After – who here has been on the hiring side? What did you look for in a cover letter?
- #5 Resume = past to present Cover letter = present to future Why this job / Why this company / Why you?
- #6 The quickest way to get into that pile is before you even start writing: put yourself into the headspace of the hiring manager and ensure your cover letter is screaming what you have that they are looking for!! What is a recruiters primary job? Before you even start writing, make sure you are in the headspace of the hiring professional who will be reading your document. Envision that stack of 100 applications that that poor recruiter needs to get through before going home for the day. Imagine a grumpy, heavy-handed HR manager who the recruiter needs to report to with their shortlist while justifying why they selected particular candidates in relation to their job description. You want to make their job EASIER not more DIFFICULT!! Many job seekers make the fundamental mistake of viewing the job search in terms of their own needs and desires. While these are certainly important factors in finding a fulfilling job and career path, it is not the most effective way of approaching employers. Rather than viewing your target employers from the outside in, look at them from the inside out, and place yourself in the recruiter's shoes need to understand what employers look for in the initial review of applications, this is a matching process and recruiters need to match candidates to job descriptions. You want the recruiter to read your letter and think: "Yes! This is exactly what we need. I want to meet this candidate to learn more." So how do you write a great cover letter and effectively market yourself?? Challenging when you are starting out with limited experience This can be a daunting task especially when taking into account that most recruiters spend little more than 15-20 seconds scanning an application package before determining who is in the ‘yes’ vs. ‘no’ pile How do you get into that pile? Canvas group Talked about what makes you stand out in the resume workshops – but again you need to think about what makes you different from your classmates and the better candidate for whatever particular job you’re applying for! The quickest way to get into that pile is before you even start writing: put yourself into the headspace of the hiring manager and ensure your cover letter is screaming what you have that they are looking for!!
- #8 So how do you write a great cover letter and effectively market yourself?? Challenging when you are starting out with limited experience This can be a daunting task especially when taking into account that most recruiters spend little more than 15-20 seconds scanning an application package before determining who is in the ‘yes’ vs. ‘no’ pile How do you get into that pile? Canvas group Talked about what makes you stand out in the resume workshops – but again you need to think about what makes you different from your classmates and the better candidate for whatever particular job you’re applying for! The quickest way to get into that pile is before you even start writing: put yourself into the headspace of the hiring manager and ensure your cover letter is screaming what you have that they are looking for!!
- #9 GO BACK TO THE POSITION DESCRIPTION: - Expand on your five bullet points Is there a match for what you have to offer and what the employer is looking for When you are writing your cover letter the job description is your best friend Pull up a relevant job Accounting – Agrium Review the job posting and working in pairs identify key skills/competencies that the employer is seeking Which are more important? Did you include anything from the job description about the functions where you have relevant experience? Are you using the terminology that the employer uses – key words…databases… What about relocation, knowledge or attraction to industry? Focus on the strong areas where your background overlaps the job requirements. Please incorporate hard skills if you have them !!! Don’t choose two soft skills and write a story about them without continually focusing on why this benefits the employer!! Employers don’t expect the whole package…just like someone’s Christmas wish list…or bucket list.
- #10 Example: Marketing: PNE Marketing Assistant Read it from the top to the bottom Have a good understanding of what you’ll be doing If you were the employer, what responsibilities would the students be doing and what hard and soft skills are required Circle, underline or highlight What does an employer want to know? Group exercise: Hand out 2 position descriptions. Individually, have students analyze job postings for key experience, skills, attributes – have them present…write on whiteboard **Hit “B” for a blank screen ASK: Have someone write up key points on the whiteboard. What will you be doing in this role? What hard skills are they looking for? Soft skills? Marketing SKILLS Analysis, Social Media Strategist, Organize, Plan and Execute events,
- #13 Why you / Why this job / Why this company
- #14 Proper letter format for N.A. When done properly, shows professionalism, attention to detail. Example – Canucks Social Media Internship Contact information Include your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail Keep the format of this section consistent with the header of your resume to make it look professional and cohesive Date State the month, day, and year (e.g., May 15, 2015) – left aligned, one space below the header Employer information Place two lines of space before the recipient’s contact information, which should include: the full name of the contact person, job title and/or department, company name, address, and postal code Try to obtain as many of these details as possible through research or by calling the company’s main number. Your attention to these details projects professionalism. Reference Line Look at the job posting for the job title or competition number. For a networking letter, you may want to refer to the type of position you are seeking or “Potential employment opportunities.” Place one line of space before the reference line and start the line with “Re:” or “Subject” followed by the purpose or focus of the letter. Salutation Place one line of space before the salutation Begin with “Dear” Address the contact person by their last name starting with “Mr.” or “Ms.” Make sure you have the correct gender of the recipient; if you don’t know, clarify by calling the company If you don’t know the person’s name, address the person by their job title or address your letter to “Hiring Manager” or “Hiring Committee” Avoid “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam
- #15 Example: Katya Sen Closing paragraph Mention your interest in an interview or discussion about opportunities Provide information on your availability and how the employer may contact you When appropriate, take a more proactive approach by indicating you will call the employer Thank the employer for considering your application Closing and signature Use “Sincerely,” “Truly,” or “Regards” to close your letter. Leave three lines of space and type your name. If your letter is in hardcopy, sign neatly within the blank space. If you will digitally submit your application it is appropriate to just leave one line of space and then type your name. Enclosure(s) Place one line of space below your typed name Indicate any enclosures by writing “Encl.” if you are including other documents such as your resume, transcript, application form, etc.
- #18 Answer these questions: Why do you want this role? How do you resonate with their values?
- #27 Differentiate yourself by researching the company and make sure that your cover letter fits the industry/type of job – make sure you are using the appropriate language, key words and skills.
- #28 Make sure that your cover letter and resume have the exact same header and formatting! It is supposed to be “one” document
- #29 Salutation: Mr Terry Brady Gender Mr or Mrs. What if no contact name given? Hiring Manager, Dear Recruiter, Don’t copy and paste from COOL contact info – missing company name Passive language/unnecessary words eg “ in order to be able to accomplish…” “I was also able to develop…” “I think I can be a great addition, I might…” vs I will, I can, I believe, I am confident…
- #32 GUIDELINES: This slide marks the end of the presentation and can be kept up during the question/answer period