COMM 202 welcome to
Tutorial #5 � TA: Laura Wong � Thursday, Mar 6
Introduction to COVER LETTERS
1. Importance
R
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BTW A RESUME & COVER LETTER?
eModules recap:
1 minute
Importance of Cover letters
• Lets employer know your intentions • Demonstrates written communication
skills – ZERO mistakes
• Elaborate on your stories – Use your Skills Matrix
WHY YOU?
Demonstrates the 3…
Am I a good
Fit?
Do I Want
the job?
Can I do the
job?
But remember…
RESUME is about YOU…
COVER LETTER is about THEM
and WHY you make a good match!
5 essential elements
Opening
Skill-Matching
Closing
Branding/Tailoring
Integration
1) The Opening
Intro to the hook
Interest/Passion + Company Fit + Summarize Skills (+ optional name drop)
R
IN GROUPS OF 6, CREATE A HOOK
Activity:
5 minutes
2) Skill-Matching
Skills (from Skills Matrix) +
Experience (2-3 examples) +
Education (how you will leverage BCom)
+ Matching Qualifications
(any other qualifications that set you apart)
2) Skill-Matching
Each paragraph proves that you have the necessary skills to be successful on the job
Don’t forget to always link back to the job
posting!
Context Action Result Link
3) Branding/Tailoring
• About leaving a good impression
• Must be consistent throughout your cover letter
• Make sure it fits with both the company’s values, culture, and your expectations
• Use industry jargon/company-specific language
4) Closing
• Your chance for final impression!
• Restate your skills, but use different wording
Summarize strengths + Show your passion
+ Thank them + Use a call to action
(follow up)
“Mr Smith, 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 hope to hear from you soon.”!
5) Integration
• Visual matching: your cover letter & resume must use same formatting
• Do NOT send in generic cover letter & generic resumes (big part of your grade is matching!) – There are 400 of you in COMM
202, and even more applying for your dream job. Find a way to stand out.
What Else?
• Cover letter allows you to address any “elephant in the room” situations (e.g. relocation, bad grades, etc.)
• Word choice – overly emotional words (“deeply honoured”, “it would be a blessing…”) – Want to show that you are on an equal playing
field and are qualified for the role
• Grammar & spelling – 2+ mistakes = -40%!
Olympics Analogy
3 key takeaways from today?
1. Important to grab reader’s attention with a good hook
2. Resume is about YOU, cover letter is about THEM (company)
3. Address elephants in the room as necessary (grades, relocation)
Action Items þ Cover Letter Assignment
Ø Write your cover letter draft
Ø Bring two printed cover letter drafts to next tutorial for
peer review
Ø Final Resume & Cover Letters due Mar 21st, 2PM
Ø Group Office Hours (next week) Ø Sign up on COOL
Ø Bring your resumes & cover letters
Next week: TUTORIAL