COMM 202W05: Cover Letters

T35 & T36

No Laptops or Phones please :)Name-cards out.

Tutorial 3

Agenda

1. Cover Letters

2. Hook Activity

3. Action Items

Interest

Communication Skills

Elaborate on

Experiences

The Resume is about

The Cover Letter is about

YOU

THEM

5 Elements of a Cover Letter

FORMATTING & INTEGRATION

BRANDING TO COMPANY

OPENING

SKILLS MATCH

CLOSING

Opening

Opening

Dear ___________,

My name is ________, and I’m applying to _________.

Opening (no bueno)

Dear ___________,

My name is ________, and I’m applying to _________.

Opening - Key Takeaways

o Expresses keen and genuine interest and/or passion for position

o Makes a clear expression of the skills/experience matching the job description

o Genuine and unique primary and secondary researchindicating interest in company (Make sure the research you show is tied to your interests)

o Name drop where applicableo Be unique!

Opening – The Hook

The most important lesson I’ve learned from years of marathon training is that results are directly linked to effort put in. This is an attitude that has led me to Boston-qualifying marathon times, achievement on the UBC rowing crew, winning finishes at triathlons, and placement on the Dean’s Honour Roll. Accounting works much the same; the only path to excellence is through hard work and persistence. This attitude of persistence and teamwork has carried me through my previous challenging work experiences and is one that I have found aligns with PwC’s core values of excellence, teamwork, and leadership. Some of my applicable skills gained from those previous positions include:

Opening – The HookHow fast can you change four tires? One hour? Ten minutes? A few yearsago I witnessed a Formula One team do it in 2.7 seconds. They saida perfect run would be just one second. In everything that I do I strive toreach that one second – that perfect test score, that perfectpresentation, that perfect career. After speaking with Jake Woodson, arecent hire, Dion Chen, and other industry professionals, I know thatmy personality and passion lies in sales and trading. Through myunique athletic background and passion, I will provide competitivenessand drive that will set a benchmark for future interns. I cannot wait to siton a trading floor, execute trades, and engage in research while receivingmentorship from the most world-renowned investment bank. A careerwith Goldman Sachs is my one second and this is how I will helpGoldman reach its own one second ideal:

Show me your Hook!

Co-op Program

Skills Matching

Skills Matching

Skills – from job descriptions & skills matrix

Experience – best, relevant experiences

Edu-action – how you’ll leverage your BCom

Matching qualifications – any other qualifications

If it doesn’t belong, don’t include it!

Skills Matching - Bullets

Skills Matching - Paragraphs

Skills Matching - Takeaways

o Use STARL to your advantage – Action and Link!

o Each line proves you have the necessary skills & aptitudes to

perform on the job

o Always link to the company/position if not obvious

o Use skills that you discovered in your Job Posting Analysis

worksheets

Closing

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

“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.”

Tips for a Strong Closing

Make a good final impression!o Show your passiono Restate skills with a different wording; tie to previous

examples/stories (especially if you have a unique hook)o Give genuine thankso Leave a call to action (“I would love the chance to meet with

you and further discuss my interest and fit for…”)

Tips for a Strong Closing

o Address the elephant in the roomo Bad gradeso Relocation o Year of Study

While I understand that my academic record may not be as competitive as other applicants, I firmly believe that the time I dedicated to varsity athletics developed my skills as a dynamic team player beyond that of my peers. As a firm that values inspiring and leading others as the defining characteristics of leadership in business, I sincerely hope that you will view my unique experience and skillset as a valuable asset to your firm. Thank you for your time and consideration of me as a prospective summer associate for PwC Calgary in 2014. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Branding & Integration

Branding – Key Takeaways

o Consistent throughout Cover Letter

o Fits with the company’s values and your own

o Makes a good impression

o Utilizes the Research Assignment

What do you know about us?

Integration – Key Takeaways

o CL & Resume use SAME formatting

o Helps you stand out!

o CL reflects & expands on resume

o Be mindful of spacing

Formatting

Formatting - Address Line

Date

Contact NameTheir TitleCompanyAddressCity, Province Postal Code

Re: Position Title

Dear Mr. / Ms. Their Last Name OR Hiring Manager

[Opening Paragraph]

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

No indented paragraphs in a business letter

Formatting - Address Line

Formatting – Sign off

Sincerely,

Your NameBCom Candidate 20XXSauder 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 BTM Co-op Candidate 2016

These spaces are important

Formatting – Sign off

Can. Want. Fit.

CAN you do the job?

Do you WANT

the job?

Are you the right FIT?

Action Items

Skills Matrix due February 12th @ TurnItIn

2 Hard copies of Cover Letter Draft due next Tutorial! (also bring the job posting)

Job Posting Research Assignment+ Think Like an Employer + Your Chosen Job Posting due on TurnItIn @ Sunday

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