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Cover letters are intended to customize your application to the particular company and/or position. A cover letter provides you with an opportunity to make a match between the job requirements/company profile and your background, qualifications and skills. In your cover letter, use specific examples to illustrate how your skills and background match the requirements of the job. Ideally you should write a separate cover letter for every job you apply to.
If you have initiated contact with the company through a telephone call, make reference to the conversation in your opening paragraph and use the information you gathered during the telephone call to maximize the match. If you have not yet spoken to someone in the company, we advise that you nevertheless get the name, title and proper spelling of the person who has the power to hire you (your future boss) and address the letter to this person.
Cover letters should always accompany your CV when you are sending it by mail or leaving it with a secretary/receptionist. However, if you are hand delivering your CV to the person in question, it is not necessary to write a cover letter.
sample:
Martin Stevenson
martinstevenson2@po-box.mcgill.ca
June 15, 2003
Mr. Bruce Wigget
Vice President, Human Resources
ABC Company
4444 Young Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5M 5M5
Dear Mr. Wigget:
Having learned that your organization is expanding, I am writing to explore employment opportunities in theHuman Resources department in your firm. As a dynamic individual who thrives on new challenges, I believethat I would be an asset to your department and am therefore enclosing my CV for your perusal.
My interest in this field has been stimulated through courses I have taken in Human Resources, myemployment with the Career and Placement Service at McGill University, as well as my position as VicePresident of External Affairs.
My Bachelor’s degree and work experience have allowed me to develop superior project management and interpersonal skills while refining my ability to multitask and balance the needs of both employers and students.
I will be in Toronto during the month of July, and would welcome the chance to further discuss employmentopportunities in your department for someone with my qualifications and experience. I will contact you nextweek to set up a possible meeting time.
Thank your for your considerations.
Sincerely,
Martin Stevenson
(from McGILL University Student Service, Career and Placement, Tools&tips) |
