COMM 202tutorial 3: cover letters

T04 & T10

what’s your brand?• 2 minutes to jot down 4-5 words that describe

you best– skills, personality, etc.

• THINK: if you had 30 seconds to describe who you ware what would you say?

where are we at?StrengthsQuest

Job Research

Skills Matrix

Cover LetterResume

Interview!!

Networking

timelineweek 5 week 9week 6 week 8week 7

• intro to cover letters

• skills matrix drafts due

• cover letter peer review

• cover letter drafts due

• skills matrix due Friday, October 14th @ 2:00PM

• LinkedIn / networking

• event networking / informational interviews

• cover letter & resume due Tuesday, November 1st @ 2:00PM

• networking event on November 3rd

• resume peer review

• resume drafts due

agenda• cover letter• activity• cover emails• action items

the process

cover email resume & cover letter interview get hired!

why write a cover letter?

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

can, want, fit

CAN you do the job?

Do you WANT

the job?

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

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

Your resume is about YOU!

Your cover letter is about THEM!

cover letter elements

Opening Skill Matching Closing

Branding Integration Formatting

openingDear ,

My name is , and I applying to .

openingDear ,

My name is , and I applying to .

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

an example

another example

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:

your turn!

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!

skills matching example

skills matching example

skills matching• 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

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.”

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)

closing• address the elephant in the room

– bad grades– relocation– year of study

closing examples

branding• remember your brand? Use it

• consistent throughout cover letter

• fits in with the company’s values + yours

• good impression

• use Job Research Assignment

integration• cover letter + resume use

SAME formatting• stands out!• cover letter reflects and

expands on resume• be mindful of spacing

integration

Date

Contact NameTheir TitleCompanyAddressCity, 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

formatting example

formatting example

can, want, fit

CAN you do the job?

Do you WANT

the job?

cover emails• <150 words• utilize bold face type to emphasize important

points • show your brand & personality

• make them want more! • ie. resume, cover letter and interview!

Subject: Job Title – Your Name OR come up with a very short hook for example “Beer & people lover has found her dream internship” or “Your new HR Intern is inside” or “HIRING MANAGER NAME, I’m excited!” Depending on how cool the company is.

To: Name of job poster/whom it may concern/hiring manager (never write Dear Sirs – hello sexism!), Your advert posted on WEBSITE NAME for JOB TITLE really caught my attention; Labatt has “good things brewing” and I would love to be a component of the “good things”. I believe my XYZ (people management) experience alongside my drive, tenacity and exemplary communications skills are a solid match to your needs. I also match the job requirements in the following ways:

• 2 years of leadership experience• Exceptional presentational skills• Advanced Excel capabilities• UBC Innovation Award recipient• 5 years’ experience organizing team building activities I am confident that I will be a fantastic addition to your team! I have attached my resume and cover letter, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have or to set up an interview on 778-XXX-XXXX. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards,Your name(778)-XXX-XXXXEmail addressLinkedIn profile URL

administrative• Turnitin registration:

– T04: Class ID: 13698568, Enrollment Password: bubbles– T10: Class ID: 13699049, Enrollment Password: bubbles

• Thanksgiving holiday (for T04):– Make up class: Wednesday, 3-4PM

action items• sign up for office hours!

• cover letter draft due next tutorial!– bring 2 copies + your job posting!

• skills matrix due Friday, Oct. 14th @ 2PM on Turnitin

• tutorial next week!Puppy of the week!