COMM 202 – TUTORIAL #3

Alison Buchanan | T30 + T37Name cards out! Writing utensils at the ready; laptops at the ready

AGENDA

Cover Letter Breakdown

Cover Letter Activity

Action Items

1

2

3

COVER LETTERSA Cautionary Tale

Skills Matrix Mixer

Action Items

COVER LETTERS – WHY?

1. Shows your intentions & interests SHOWS SINCERITY AND RESEARCH

2. Demonstrates ability to communicate CREATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL

3. Opportunity to elaborate on your stories DRAWN FROM YOUR SKILLS MATRIX

RESUME is about YOU

COVER LETTER is about THEM

CAN.WANT.FIT.

ELEMENTS OF A COVER LETTER

Integration + FormattingBranding to

CompanyOpening

Skill Matching

Closing

OPENING

Dear ,

My name is , and I am applying to .

OPENING – KEY TAKEAWAYS

• 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)

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 – KEY 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 that you discovered in your Job Posting Analysis worksheets

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!• Show your passion• Restate skills with a different wording; tie to previous

examples/stories (especially if you have a unique hook)• Give genuine thanks• 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

• Address the elephant in the room o Bad Gradeso Relocationo Year Level or other qualifications/requirements

BRANDING – KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Consistent throughout cover letter

• Fits with the company’s values & yours

• Good impression

• Use Research Assignment

What do you know about

us?

INTEGRATION – KEY TAKEAWAYS

• CL & Resume use SAME formatting

• Stand out!

• CL reflects & expands on resume

• Be mindful of spacing

CL FORMATTING – ADDRESS

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

ADDRESS EXAMPLES

CL 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

SIGN OFF EXAMPLES

COVER LETTERS: CAN. WANT. FIT.

CAN you do the job?

Do you WANT

the job?

ACTION ITEMS

• Skills Matrix due February 12th on Turnitin by 2:00pm!

• Cover Letter Draft due next tutorial (bring 2 copies)

• Job Posting Research Assignment + Think Like an Employer Worksheet + Your Chosen Job Posting due on Turnitin by Sunday via Turnitin

• Office Hours – sign up on COOL

!

Puppy o f the week

This Thursday @ 12:30 - HA 492

Come meet Dan Moore, President – Southwestern Advantage

Speaking on:“Certainty in a Completely Uncertain Future”

What can you do now to be ready for just about anything as our world changes increasingly fast?

*202 bonus marks eligible