COVER LETTER WRITING

Agenda
• What is a Cover Letter
• How to Write Your Cover Letter
• Example of a Cover Letter
• Questions and Conclusion
What Is A Cover Letter
• Another marketing tool to “sell” yourself to an employer
• It is not duplication of your resume
• It captures aspects that cannot be placed in your resume, which
showcase why you would be a strong candidate for the position
• Cover letters must be unique and written for each application to be
most effective
What Is A Cover Letter
• It explains to an employer why you are applying
and why you would be a strong candidate

• A good cover letter will discuss an employers

need and an example of how you can meet the
need
Tips For Cover Letters
• RESEARCH THE EMPLOYER!
• Understand what they do, as well as the employer’s values and goals
(mission, too)
• Link your experiences to the position
• Be conversational in tone
• It’s okay to have a template, but the bulk of the cover letter needs to
be written specifically to the position
Tips For Cover Letters
• Give examples that support your skills and qualifications – you want to
paint a picture for the employer
• Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. What can you write that will
convince the employer that you are ready and able to do the job?
• Reference skills or experiences from the job description and draw
connections to your credential
Common Mistakes With Cover Letters
• It is a copy of your resume
• Using a cover letter, you found off the internet and not
changing it
• Not highlighting your experience
• Not finding a need for the employer and highlighting how
you can address it
Cover Letter Breakdown
Opening Paragraph:
Here you address what position you are applying to and why
you are interested in the position, as well as the organization.

You can also highlight a key skill or qualification to grab the

hiring manager or recruiter’s attention
Cover Letter Breakdown
Opening Paragraph:
REMEMBER:
Clearly state why you’re writing, name the position or type of
work you’re exploring and, where applicable, how you heard
about the position or organization (e.g. The College’s Career
& Job Fair).

A summary statement may work well here by including three

reasons you think you would be a good fit for the opportunity.
What Are Your Thoughts On This?
Please find my attached resume and cover letter for the
posted position. I believe my skills and abilities make me a
perfect fit.
What Are Your Thoughts On This?
I am writing to apply for the Health Administrator position with St. Joseph’s Care Group
as discussed at Confederation College’s Career & Job Fair. I am in my final semester at
Confederation College studying Health Administration and Leadership. I’m very excited
about the field of healthcare and would welcome the opportunity to bring my strong
problem-solving and communication skills, as well as my health aptitude to your growing
team.
Cover Letter Breakdown
Susan Smith
1450 Nakina Drive, Thunder Bay, ON, P7C 4W1

807-475-8828/ susan.smith@confederationcollege.ca

Linkin.com/ssmith
Cover Letter Breakdown
Middle Paragraphs:
These paragraphs are the main section of your cover letters. You
want to address the need of the employer and how you can close
that gap. You want to articulate how your values/goals fit with the
mission of the organization
Cover Letter Breakdown
Middle Paragraphs:
Explain why you are interested in this employer and your
reasons for desiring this type of work. If you’ve had relevant
school or work experience, be sure to point it out with one or
two key examples; but do not reiterate your entire resume.

Emphasize skills or abilities that relate to the job. Be sure to

do this in a confident manner & remember that the reader
will view your letter as an example of your writing skills.
Cover Letter Breakdown
Having Trouble?
Think of times when you were the “go-to-person” or times
when your supervisor complimented one of your initiatives.
Cover Letter Breakdown
Having Trouble?
• Explain how your academic/work background has
prepared you for the position
• Connect your past experiences to the top 3 or 4 most
important qualifications for the position
• Paint a picture of your skills & qualifications by giving
examples.
• Examples should show how you’ve utilized key skills and
how those skills transfer into the prospective position.
Cover Letter Breakdown
Paragraph 2 & 3 Continued:
Think of times when you were the “go-to-person” or times
when your supervisor complimented one of your initiatives
What Are Your Thoughts On This?
I have strong problem solving and analytical skills that complement my strong
time management and abilities to meet deadlines. My goal is to use my skills
to ensure success in all my roles, which includes teamwork and working with
teams. I am passionate to my values, which would be an added value to your
organization.
What Are Your Thoughts On This?
I completed a work placement at the Bay Hospital. Here I was able to
use my theory learned in school on the job. I helped the office move
from paper files to electronic. My hard work paid off, as we were able
to move ahead well before the deadline. This is because of my strong
skills.
What Are Your Thoughts On This?
My academic and professional experiences were further enriched and
developed through my work integrated learning opportunities. This can be
showcased in my work placement at the Bay Hospital where I spearheaded
moving paper files to electronic files, while also re-organizing the file system. I
worked along side a variety of inter-health professionals while having to
maintain my own internal deadlines. In the first three months, I was able to
clear out the previous backlog of files, which allowed the project to move
ahead well before the
established deadline.
Cover Letter Breakdown
Cover Letter Breakdown
Closing Paragraph:
Reiterate your interest in the position and your enthusiasm for
using your skills to contribute to the work of the organization.
Thank the reader for their consideration of your application, and
end by stating the you look forward to the opportunity to
further discuss the position.
What Are Your Thoughts On This?
Please contact me for an interview and I cannot wait to start.
What Are Your Thoughts On This?
Thank you for your consideration. I very much look forward to the opportunity to
speak with you in person about my interest in this position.
Cover Letter Breakdown
I look forward to speaking with you to learn more about your organization, and the career opportunities
if offers, as well as how my skills can help your organization succeed. You may reach me by phone at
807-475-8808 or by email at susan.smith@confederationcollege.ca Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Susan Smith
Susan Smith
Thank You

Any Questions?