Your cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression on an employer. It should be more than just a form letter. Tailor it to the job and company, and make sure it highlights your skills and experience in a way that catches the reader鈥檚 attention.
Here鈥檚 how to create a standout cover letter:
- Customize It: Tailor your cover letter to the specific company and position. Show how your skills and experience match what they鈥檙e looking for.
- Keep It Professional: Use a standard business letter format. Make sure it鈥檚 neat and follows professional writing guidelines.
- Highlight Key Points: Point out how your skills and experience meet the job requirements. Include highlights from your resum茅 that demonstrate why you鈥檙e a great fit.
- Add Personal Touches: Mention what excites you about the position and the company. Explain why you鈥檙e interested and what you can bring to the role that isn鈥檛 obvious from your resum茅.
- Be Concise: Keep your cover letter to one page. Make every sentence count to keep the reader鈥檚 attention.
Career Centre Resources
Workshops/ Group Activities/Individual Support
- Resum茅 & Cover Letter Writing workshop
- You've Got Skills and Self Reflection
- Individual Career Support
- Career Lounge
Worksheets
- Cover Letter - Did You Know? [PDF - 437 kB]
- Cover Letter Tips Checklist [PDF - 162 kB]
- Parts of a Cover Letter & Cover Letter Introductions [PDF - 137 kB]
Cover Letter Samples
- Sample Cover Letter: 2nd Year Student [PDF - 127 kB]
- Sample Cover Letter: Biochemistry [PDF - 118 kB]
- Sample Cover Letter: Computer Science [PDF - 105 kB]
- Sample Cover Letter: Economics [PDF - 98 kB]
- Sample Cover Letter: Environmental Studies [PDF - 90 kB]
- Sample Cover Letter: French Studies [PDF - 128 kB]
- Sample Cover Letter: Human Resources [PDF - 95 kB]
- Sample Cover Letter: Public Administration [PDF - 55 kB]
- Sample Cover Letter: Sociology [PDF - 88 kB]
Additional Resources
Job Bank -