What about Cover Letter

Your cover letter is another essential tool in your application and you don’t want to overlook it. Remember that hiring managers pour over numerous applications every day, trying to find just a handful worth taking the time to look at more closely. It’s the same as when you scroll through your favourite streaming service, watching trailer after trailer, hoping that one will pop out and you’ll be willing to invest your evening watching it. Your cover letter is similar to that trailer, a way to share the highlights of your career journey so that hiring managers stop and take notice. Cover letter writing can be challenging but with practice you will become more confident.

Do employers prefer applications with or without cover letters?

Opening Statement

A good first paragraph is critical to a successful cover letter because it is the stage where employers will decide whether reading the rest of your material is worth their time.

Employers want to see original letters, tailored specifically to the advertised position, and they respond best to enthusiastic candidates that show a passionate desire to work in their organization.

Communicate Interest – It’s Important!

Capture the employer’s attention by showing your knowledge of the industry, company and the advertised job.

If you have done your research, are aware of what is important to the employer and understand how you could help their company, you will feel confident in writing a strong opening paragraph that demonstrates why you are an excellent candidate for the job.

In the paragraph below notice how it highlights concretely some of the key skills and experiences that the employer wants, encouraging them to read further.

As an experienced campus reporter with a background in cultural issues and city affairs, I am a strong fit for the position of Editorial Intern at Canadian Art magazine, as advertised at the University of Toronto Career Centre. My reporting background is complemented by research and sales experience and a real passion for communications.

Second example

Now take a look at this example. Notice how relevant qualifications are identified, including a shared philosophy. The applicant's knowledge of the organization gained from doing some research is also evident. This opening paragraph will immediately catch the interest of potential employers.

As a graduate in Environmental Studies with experience coordinating several community based projects, I am confident that my organizational and communication skills would be an asset for the Pollution Project Manager position advertised at the University of Toronto Career Centre. TRCA’s commitment to community-based projects is particularly exciting to me because my experience on campus and at the GTA Environmental Committee has taught me that lasting change occurs only when the community is actively involved.

Body of Letter

In the body paragraphs of your cover letter illustrate concrete examples of the skills/experience you described in your opening paragraph. While you are free to use the same examples included in your resume, it is always best to add at least one that is different or more detailed.

Compare: Which statement makes a stronger argument for why the employer would interview you.

In previous positions I gained leadership, communication, teamwork and time management skills.

At my previous position at Canada’s Wonderland as a cashier, I utilised strong leadership skills to lead a team of 5 cashiers at the front stands to sell and upsell chips. The position also challenged my time management skills, as I juggled my high-school projects during the week in order to set time aside to work on the weekend.

Review the Write Accomplishment Based Statements section if you need help. (Accomplishment Based Statement are also known as Outcome-based Statements or Evidence-based Statements.)

Second paragraph in the letter

In the paragraph below the applicant draws attention to their achievements and points out their ability to maintain good grades while leading a balanced life.

Over the past two years, I have balanced my studies ( maintaining a 3.8 GPA ) with finance-related roles including Assistant to a Financial Adviser at TD Canada Trust, Vice-President of Finance with the student Commerce Society, and charter member of the first Investment Club on UTM’s campus. These experiences have enabled me to efficiently and accurately assess client needs while using effective communication strategies, and have earned me special recognition at TDCT.

Third paragraph in the letter

Notice how this paragraph addresses both the personal skills required for the position e.g., team and communication, as well as their technical skills e.g., financial modeling and client proposals. They give proof of their capabilities using concrete examples from university and work experiences.

As you will see in my attached resume and transcript, while earning high grades, I have demonstrated relevant research and analytical skills in my finance courses at UTM. As charter member of the UTM investment club, my market sector research and investment recommendations led to an average rate of return of 14%. My education combined with my TDCT work experience have enabled me to acquire advanced proficiency in key competencies integral to success in investment banking, including financial modeling, client proposals and presentations. In one of my academic projects, I excelled as a member of a team tasked with valuing a company’s tangible and intangible assets and assessing the implications of its structure on that value.

Closing Paragraph

The last paragraph is short and businesslike. Write this section with the assumption that they will want to see you. With that attitude in mind, your language should reflect the confidence you have in your strength as a candidate.

Many employers like to see a link back to the opening paragraph’s statement of interest and match to reinforce your fit and enthusiasm for the company.

The combination of my technical, communication and interpersonal skills is a strong fit with XYZ Company’s needs. I look forward to discussing the opportunity further and can be reached at 905-555-1242 or a.chandrasena@mail.utoronto.ca. Thank you for your consideration.

I believe that I have the environmental knowledge, commitment, and project development skills to equip me to make a significant contribution as the Pollution Project Manager at TRCA. I look forward to an interview to discuss my qualifications with you and can be reached at (905) 555-5555 or larry.j.soo@mail.utoronto.ca. Thank you for your consideration.

Tone

The tone of a cover letter is confident without being arrogant. Use specific examples of your achievement and demonstrate a link between your experience and the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking.

Don’t stress out about tone. Tone is what is unsaid but felt. The tone you take is influenced by who you are and what you know about the organization. Word choice, sentence length, company research, and what you decide to highlight in your resume and cover letter will help determine your tone. The best thing to do is to talk with someone who works in the field or with a Career Centre Employment Strategist to read your work and give you an idea of what tone you’ve struck. Then you can continue to adjust it until whoever is helping you tells you that the tone you’ve taken matches the tone you hope to convey.

Action