This document provides guidance on writing an effective cover letter for a job application. It discusses key elements of a cover letter such as the opening, skills matching, and closing. The opening should express interest in the position and company. Skills matching involves highlighting experiences and qualifications that relate to the job description. The closing restates the applicant's fit and thanks the reader. Other topics covered include differences between cover letters and resumes, examples of effective openings, skills matching, closings, and formatting considerations like consistent branding and integrating the same style as the resume. Students are assigned action items to draft a cover letter and complete a job posting research assignment.

1. COMM 202
tutorial 3: cover letters
T29 & T31

2. where are we at?
StrengthsQuest
Skills Matrix
Job Research
Cover Letter
Resume
Interview!!

3. where are we at?
Week 5 READING BREAK Week 8
• cover letter
introduction
Week 6 Week 7
• cover letter peer
review (cover letter
drafts due)
• job posting
research
assignment due on
Turnitin
• resume peer
review (resume
drafts due)
• watch resume
emodule
• LinkedIn/netw
orking

4. agenda
• cover letter
• activity
• action items

5. why write a cover letter?

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

7. resume vs. cover letter
• what’s the difference?

8. resume vs. cover letter
• what’s the difference?
Your resume is about YOU!
Your cover letter is about THEM!

9. cover letter elements
Opening Skill Matching Closing
Branding Integration Formatting

10. opening
Dear ,
My name is , and
I applying to .

11. opening
Dear ,
My name is , and
I applying to .

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

13. an example

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:

15. another example

16. your turn!

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!

18. skills matching example

19. skills matching example

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

24. closing examples

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

28. formatting example

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

30. formatting example

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!