A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself, expand upon and personalize your resume and highlight how your skills and experience would fulfill the needs of the employer. It also gives the employer the opportunity to evaluate your ability to communicate and present yourself. Listed below are some guidelines to consider when composing your cover letter:

• Keep it brief, no more than 1 page.

• Tailor it to the position and company to which you are applying.

• Demonstrate that you know your career goals, the position and the employer’s organization.

• Clearly state your objective.

• Be sure to say why you think you would be a good match for the position.

• Highlight your skills and accomplishments.

• Make sure to Spell check and proofread your cover letter.

The resume is an important part of the employment process. This is the determining factor the employer will use to decide whether you move on to the next stage of the process.

DO

• Maintain a consistent writing style.

• Use present tense verbs when referring to current activities.

• Be concise and clear in your descriptions.

• Ensure that you have no typing, spelling or grammar errors.

• Use terms specific to the industry.

DO include in your resume:

• Your first and last name and contact information (Phone number with area code and email address.)

• Professional Goals: If your resume is intended for a particular position, tailor it accordingly.

DON’T

• Use “I” or “my”.

• Include personal information such as marital status, social insurance number or date of birth.

• Use abbreviations unless you define them.

• Use words that you are not familiar with.

• Overcrowd your resume.

• Ensure that you are informed about the position and the organization before your interview. Try to get a job description and details of the position. Know what the salary range is.

• Make sure you know the exact location and how to get there. Allow for extra time in case of traffic or transit problems. Familiarize yourself with area parking or the transit route.

• Dress for success.

• When meeting your interviewer, give a firm handshake, address your interviewer by name, smile and make eye contact. Answer questions in a professional manner and keep your responses pertinent to the questions. Never speak negatively about present or previous work situations.

• Remember to listen.

• Maintain a positive attitude and body language. 

• Express enthusiasm and interest in the company and the position. Ask any questions that you may have pertaining to the company and/or the position. Do not discuss money/salary in the interview unless the employer initiates it. Always end the interview with a firm handshake.

• Send a thank you note after the interview and reiterate your interest in the position.

• Follow up with a phone call or email if you are not contacted within a week.

• Don’t undersell yourself. Be concise with examples of your accomplishments.

• When asked “Do you have any questions? Make sure you have a few questions to ask at the end of the interview.