Blooper Quotes from Cover Letters
"Enclosed is a ruff draft of my resume."

The following article was written by our Employment Resource Centre staff.  ETAC resource centre offers one-on-one job search support for Individuals with employment barriers.

At ETAC Resource Centre, clients can:

• Research employment and training opportunities
• Apply for jobs in an atmosphere where their needs are understood and accommodated
• Job search with confidence, dignity and confidentiality
• No appointment required.

Located at:

ATN Access Inc. 141 Dundas Street, Suite 504 London, ON N6A 1G3 Email: info@atn.on.ca

Tel:  519 433-7950 TTY: 519 433-7950

COVER LETTERS

What is a Cover Letter?

• An introduction to yourself, your skills, and your desire to work for that company
• It explains why you are sending a resume, and highlights the related skills and experience you wish to bring to the employer's attention
• A chance to show your writing style and a little of your own personality

 

Cover Letter Layout

 Personal Contact Information

• Your address should always appear at the top of the page(leave 1 blank line)
  Date
• When you are mailing or submitting your application
  (leave 4 blank lines)
   

Employer Contact Information

 

• The employer’s name and position or Human Resources
• Company name and address
  (leave 1 blank line)

 

Personalized Salutation 

• Cover letters should always be addressed to the individual responsible for hiring, for the job you are applying for
• If you are unable to identify the reader then address your letter to the Human Resources Department or Hiring Manager

Opening Paragraph - Why You Are Writing
 

• The opening statement should be strong to capture the employer’s interest
• Reference the source of the job lead, including date of ad, position title, any file or job order #

Body Paragraph(s) - What You Have To Offer

• Specify how your qualifications match specific requirements found in the job advertisement
• State your related experience, education, training and personal attributes 
• Demonstrate knowledge about the company and why you are interested and well suited for the employer / organization
   

Closing Paragraph - Follow-Up

• Indicate you look forward to having a personal interview and provide the information on how you can be contacted
• Express appreciation for the reader's consideration

Complimentary Closing (Sincerely or Respectfully)
(leave 4 - 6 blank lines; where you will sign your name) 
Signature (typed) 
(leave 1 blank line)
Enclosure

• Lets the reader know there is a document(s) included with your cover letter

 

Check that all required Information is in your letter:
Name, address, phone number, how you heard about the job, what the position is you are applying for, relevant experiences, skills, education or training for the position sought, employer’s contact information, the date

Information not required:
Social Insurance number; age; health or disability information; citizenship, religious / political affiliations; marital or family status

 

Tips:

• Research the company and the position; your knowledge will show through in your cover letter
• Be focused and specific about how you used the skills needed for this position 
• Show enthusiasm and honesty
• Mention a mutual friend or contact if applicable
• Initiate follow-up
• Type letter in 12 point font unless specifically asked to be hand-written
• Double and triple-check for spelling and grammar errors
• Make sure your letter is properly positioned vertically on the page and aligned to the left
• Always sign your cover letters
   

 Be Well
~The Advisor

 

P.S.  If there are topics of interest you would like read about, please send your requests to the Advisor through the Free resume feedback and question form on links2work website.
Link to form provided here.

[Read the rest of this article...]