week 5: cover letters
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to COMM 202
T26 & T33Tutorial 3
Week 5: Cover Letters
Austin Smith Disconnect from technology please
Breathing Exercise
Through it all, we attempt to bring balance to the present moment, understanding that in patience lies wisdom, knowing that what will come next will be determined in large measure by how we are now.” Jon Kabatt-Zinn
Opening Lesson
StrengthsQuest
Skills Matrix
Job ResearchCover Letter
Resume
Interviews
Networking
Where are we at?
Today’s Key Learning's
Agenda
Cover Letters
Activity
Action Items
Cover Letters
Why?
1. SHOWS YOUR INTENTIONS & INTERESTS IN THE JOB SHOWS SINCERITY AND RESEARCH
2. DEMONSTRATES ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE & WRITE PROFESSIONALY
3. OPPORTUNITY TO ELABORATE ON YOUR EXPERIENCES DRAWN FROM YOUR SKILLS MATRIX
4. LET’S YOU SHOW A LITTLE PERSONALITY!
Resume vs. Cover Letter
What’s the difference?
Resume is about YOU
Cover Letter is about THEM
6 Elements of Cover Letter
FORMATTING & INTEGRATION
BRANDING TO COMPANY
OPENING
SKILLS MATCH
CLOSING
Dear ,
My name is , and I applying to .
Opening
Dear ,
My name is , and I applying to .
Opening
Opening Take-Aways
Expresses keen and genuine interest and/or passion for position Makes a clear expression of the skills/experience matching the
job description 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) Be unique!
You need a hook!
Another Example
Another Example
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:
Your turn!
Skills Matching
Skills Matching Skills
From job descriptions & skills matrix
Experience Best relevant experiences
Education How you’ll leverage your BCom
Matching Qualifications Any other qualifications
If it doesn’t belong, don’t include it!
Skills Matching – Bullet Point Style
Skills Matching – Paragraph Style
Skills Matching Takeaways?
Use STARL to your advantage – Action and Link!
Each line proves you have the necessary skills &
aptitudes to perform on the job
Always link to the company/position if not obvious
Use skills listed in the job description
Sometimes, don’t be afraid to take risks
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.”
Closing – My Example
What could I have done better?
What to add in your 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
What to add in your closing?
Address the elephant in the room
Bad Grades
Relocation
Closing Examples
Closing Examples
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
Branding? Consistent throughout
the Cover Letter
Fits with the company’s
values & yours
Good impression
Use Research
Assignment
Integration?
CL & Resume use SAME
formatting
Stand Out!
CL reflects & expands on
resume
Be mindful of spacing
Cover Letter Formatting (Address)
DateContact NameTheir TitleCompanyAddressCity, Province Postal CodeRe: Position Title
Dear Mr. / Ms. Their Last Name OR Hiring Manager
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
Example - Address
Cover Letter Formatting (Sign Off)
Sincerely,Your NameBCom Candidate 20XXSauder School of BusinessAttached: Resume
Regards,Best,
Written signature optional (provide more space if
including)
Attached: Resume, Transcript
Use “Enclosed: …” only if sending application by mail
BCom Candidate 2016
These spaces are important
Example - Closing
CAN you do the job?
Do you WANT
the job?
CAN. WANT. FIT
BCC News 202 Reminders
Skills Matrix due Friday, February 12h on Turnitin at 2 PM!
Job Posting Research Assignment due Sunday (February 7th) via Turnitin
Sign up for Office Hours!
Tutorial next week!
Sign up for Workshops to get your 3% bonus!
Telus and Best Buy Trek Programs
Closing Lesson
“Through it all, we attempt to bring balance to the present moment, understanding that in patience lies wisdom, knowing that what will come next will be determined in large measure by how we are now.”
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Be present