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Emphasize your contributions to the employer rather than what the job will do for you
Identify and include keywords from the job posting
There is no set number of Decide how many body paragraphs you can to include or and how to organize them – it's up to you to decide what approach there is no set number, so choose the approach that best communicates your suitability best
Avoid using clichés or generic phrases as they are overused and have less impact
Proofread your document and, if possible, ask someone for feedback on it
Avoid repeating exactly what’s contained in any portion of your résumé. Use this opportunity to elaborate further on relevant points
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As the name suggests, you’re introducing what interests you about the role you’re applying to, your career motivations and what makes you a good fit for the role. You want your introduction to engage the reader and hook them in so that they keep reading right to the end!
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A summarizing sentence that outlines the information you plan on sharing in the body paragraphs. Knowing what's coming can make your reader’s job much easier, as they’ll know what to expect.
Example:
I plan to convey to you the ways in which how my skills, qualifications and values are a good fit for the student advisor position with the Co-operative and Experiential Education department at the University of Waterloo.
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The following is a list of approaches available to you. Reviewing them may help you begin thinking creatively about how you'd like to begin your cover letter. There may be an approach that you like but don’t feel comfortable using , for whatever reason. Some approaches might better reflect your personality.
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Choose an approach that you feel authentically conveys you in an authentic way and introduces you in the most advantageous light to the target employer and role. |
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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 and Experiential Education department at University of Waterloo. |
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