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Demonstrate your commitment to an organizations’ core mission and values by highlighting a particular motivation for dedicating yourself to the target role and/or sector. Example: I believe strongly in the value of co-operative education in preparing students for the transition to future workplaces. I want to support students to leverage strengths, skills and values gleaned from their personal and academic experiences to co-op positions and future careers more broadly. I plan to convey to you the ways in which my skills, qualifications and values are a good fit for the student advisor position with the Co-operative (Co-op) and Experiential Education department at University of Waterloo. |
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If someone referred you to the job, for example a current employee at the target organization, you could, with their consent, include their name and title or department in the introductory paragraph. When an employer hires internally, they can often more easily assess an internal candidate’s potential contribution to a role than that of an external candidate whom they’re unfamiliar with. Including the name of an employee that you know or other strong connection to the organization is the next best thing. Example: I was pleased to learn of this job opportunity from a former colleague, Mei Ling, in the Marketing department, with whom I collaborated on a research project with XYZ organization. Based on her knowledge of my skill set, Mei thought I’d be a good fit with your workplace culture and would contribute to your organization in the role of xyzABC. |
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Hiring managers want to know that you’ll make a positive contribution to the organization. But they also want to know why you want to work with them specifically. Conveying the main reason you’re applying to the role and/or the organization will start you off on the right foot. Avoid emphasizing the ways in which they will support your career, but rather how you will support their mission. Example: I’ve been searching for some time for an opportunity to contribute in an administrative capacity toward the development of competent, ethically oriented social work students. The position of Field Education Coordinator field education co-ordinator with the xyz XYZ department provides an excellent opportunity for me to contribute in this way! The position would harness a range of skills acquired both from my background in social work and my emerging skill-base in career counselling. |
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If you’ve had one or more experiences identical to or with lots of overlap or similarity to the job requirements and that you think will impress the employer, you could devote an entire paragraph to each experience describing associated skills, competencies etc. Example: As a student at the University of Waterloo, I am pursuing a degree in Social Development Studies focused on Early Childhood Education early childhood education due to my love of working with children. For the past seven years, I have served as a babysitter to numerous families—for which I am happy to provide references—including children from infancy through age 11. From preparing healthy snacks and changing diapers to playing at the park and building forts, I am enthusiastic and supportive in every aspect of caring for children. Additionally, I have experience helping young children through separation anxiety situations, using distraction and refocusing techniques to help kids through those tough emotions. My previous experience also includes an ongoing summer camp counselor counsellor position at the local YMCA for four consecutive summers, providing support and guidance to elementary-aged children in the areas of sports, swimming, nature walks, cooking and social group interactions. Example: Last summer I worked as a marketing representative, creating video advertisements for a new line of innovative telecommunication products. Our team met on a daily basis to produce a digital mock-up advertisement to present to potential clients and internal service users. In order to produce the ad, we completed a comprehensive demographics/market analysis to determine the appropriate audience so that we could target potential customers accordingly. This project allowed me to demonstrate my solid technical savvy and my excellent written and oral communication skills as well. In addition, I have volunteered within a public relations role for a popular on-campus club known as Entrepreneurs Association of the University of Waterloo. I developed new marketing literature as part of a marketing team and communicated club events both externally and internally through presentations. I have also completed complex school projects in digital design and electronic imaging, which complement my courses in marketing, human resources and cultural management. |
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This is a good option if you haven’t held a position or had an experience that is similar to the target position but instead have had a variety of experiences where you developed relevant skills (including transferrable skills). Choosing this structure involves focusing each body paragraph on a relevant skill or skillset (e.g., communication skills including spoken, written and intercultural) you used across several experiences. Example: My communication skills have helped me meet customer needs. I worked two summer terms as a sales and customer service representative for Vector Marketing, where I demonstrated my oral communication abilities when handling customer inquiries and successfully selling CutCo Cutlery. I also participated in University of Toronto’s Hart House debate invitational, with the Ontario Student Debate Union. Within a 30-minute time limit, my partner and I had to communicate arguments for and against oil deregulation and other controversies to a panel of three judges. My efficient and compelling communication style helped us impress the judges and win the award for best persuasive argument. Analytical skills are needed for the Consultant role you are advertising; I strengthened these skills in my coursework. In Introduction introduction to Research Methodsresearch methods, for example, I conducted and evaluated qualitative and quantitative research and data. In Communications communications for Environmental Professionsenvironmental professions, I created analytical, progress and feasibility reports that drew on both my analytical and communication skills. These skills will allow me to assist Elenchus’s lead consultants in researching clients and sharing these conclusions through online publications. My computer proficiency in Microsoft Word has developed throughout my high school and university years. In addition to using Excel to support analyses in Introduction introduction to Research Methodsresearch methods, I have presented data through PowerPoint and Prezi in my grade 12 Marketing marketing course. Overall, these skills will enable me to support Elenchus’s lead consultants in media and administrative related duties. |
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Another approach that can work well is to group experiences thematically, being sure to make a clear connection between the themes highlighted and the job requirements. The following are some possible organizational themes to consider.
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