Writing your cover letter
Tips as you prepare to write:
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 body paragraphs you can include or how to organize them – it's up to you to decide what approach 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
The following sections provide more detail on each component of a cover letter.
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!
The approach you use to begin your cover letter takes into account:
Final sentence of your introduction
There are many options available to you. Consider finishing the introductory paragraph with either:
OR
Introductory paragraph -Different approaches and examples
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.
 Belief statement
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) Education department at University of Waterloo.
 Establish a connection
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 xyz.
 Convey passion or enthusiasm
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 with the 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.
 Articulate an expected contribution
For those who feel confident about articulating an accomplishment or using a skill set and identifying how they can do so again for the target organization or team, this is the option for you! You’ll need to determine which contribution would be highly valued by the employer and connect it to something you’ve successfully delivered on in the past.
Example: I am writing to express my keen interest in a marketing position within your reputable organization. My two years of professional and volunteer experience in public relations and record of success in delivering quality customer service make me an ideal candidate for the position. I offer solid knowledge of sound, image, text and video communication design. Since ABC Inc. is a leader in designing, developing and offering broadband communications to all world markets, I feel strongly that your area of specialization would benefit from my skills and experience.
Body paragraphs are those paragraphs that appear between the introductory and concluding paragraph.
The job of the body paragraphs
Your body paragraphs provide concrete evidence for the claims you make in your résumé. They highlight your qualifications and achievements in relation to the position and integrate keywords from the job posting.
There is no set number of body paragraphs you can include or how to organize them – it's up to you to decide what approach communicates your suitability best.
Common ways to structure body paragraphs
There is no one right way to structure the content in your cover letter. Having said that, you should find out if your target sector or organization has strong preferences in terms of structure (as well as style, integrating common industry terms etc.) and consider how you might integrate them.
Below is a listing of several common approaches to structuring the body paragraphs of your cover letter. You may prefer to pick one approach and follow it or begin writing without reference to an overall structure.
The contexts for each experience (e.g., employment, volunteer work, co-op, graduate research) appear in bold below:
 Common approach A: Leading with identical or similar experience
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 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 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.
 Common approach B: Leading with a highly relevant experience followed by a section that integrates multiple experiences
Consider choosing this option if you’ve had one experience where many of the tasks were identical or similar in nature to the target role. With this option, you would devote one paragraph to describing one experience and the next paragraph(s) devoted to outlining skills, competencies and accomplishments from several experiences.
Example 2:
During a co-op work term, I was a research assistant working for a professor at the University of Waterloo where I independently managed a major section of his research project. After conducting extensive journal and internet research, I compiled the information in a database so that my supervisor could easily search and retrieve the information he required. On my own time, I produced a user manual so that future students can update the database. This manual has reduced errors and increased overall efficiency of the update process.
In addition to my research abilities, I have effective written and oral communication skills developed over several co-op work terms. In each of my roles, I responded to clients via phone and/or email. My responses were always timely and professional.
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. 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 in 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 compliment my courses in marketing, human resources and cultural management.
 Common approach C: Leading with skills across multiple experiences
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 to Research Methods, for example, I conducted and evaluated qualitative and quantitative research and data. In Communications for Environmental 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 to Research Methods, I have presented data through PowerPoint and Prezi in my grade 12 Marketing course. Overall, these skills will enable me to support Elenchus’s lead consultants in media and administrative related duties.
 Common approach D: Organizing body paragraphs thematically
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.
The final paragraph provides an opportunity to
Express gratitude to your reader for their time and consideration
Convey your openness to next steps in the process
Include a closing salutation and your name as a typed or e-signature (optional to include your pronouns)
You may also want to take this opportunity to introduce or expand on:
Your excitement to take on the role
Your alignment with the company’s mission and values
Your expected contribution in the role
Cervania, A. (2023, March 18) How to End a Cover Letter. Rezi. https://www.rezi.ai/posts/how-to-end-a-cover-letter
Indeed editorial team (2024, August 21) 8 Powerful Ways to Start a Cover Letter. Indeed. https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-start-a-cover-letter
Thompson, N. (2023, June 7) How to End a cover Letter (with tips and examples). Teal. https://www.tealhq.com/post/how-to-end-a-cover-letter
University of South Florida (n.d.) Cover letter samples. https://academicsuccess.ucf.edu/explearning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2021/09/Cover-Letter-Samples.pdf
York University (n.d.) Write an engaging cover letter. https://careers.yorku.ca/student_topic/write-an-engaging-cover-letter