Writing a Cover Letter

Show an employer what qualifications you have for a job by including a cover letter with your resume. A concise, well-written cover letter with the right information will make a good first impression.

The Basics:

• Learn about the company or organization you are applying to. If your cover letter is tailored to the company and job, you'll show the employer that you can be a good fit.

• There are lots of ways to write cover letters. Below are three examples that show how to follow up on an ad in a newspaper, a phone call you made to an organization, or for an unadvertised job.

  This is a format to write a cover letter in response to an ad.

  This is a format to write a cover letter that follows up on a call to an employer.

  This is a format to write a cover letter for an unadvertised job.

• Refer to the job that you are interested in. If there is a competition/job number, include it in your cover letter.

• Address your letter to the appropriate contact person, either the employer or a human resources officer. Use their name and title, and double-check the spelling.

• If the ad doesn't supply a contact, phone and get the right name. And never assume a person is male or female based on a first name — check it out.

• Refer to how you heard about the job, i.e. job posting, newspaper article, or from someone in your network of contacts.

• Refer to what the company does, and how your skills, abilities and experience can be a valuable addition to their team.

• Make sure the employer knows what action to take — will you call the employer or should the employer call you, and when?

• Provide your name, phone number and address.

• Keep your letter to one page. Type or print it out on good quality, 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.

• Proofread your letter, and ask someone else to read it as well. Correct the errors, and print a clean copy.

• E-mail, mail or hand-deliver your cover letter and resume. Keep a copy for your files, and note the date that it was sent out.

• Allow plenty of time for delivery. Don't wait until the last day before a deadline.

Helpful Web Sites:

• Learn more about writing a cover letter at Service Canada’s Training and Careers Web site. The site includes tips on what info to include and what not to, feedback from employers and sample cover letters.