{"id":7455,"date":"2021-07-23T21:20:18","date_gmt":"2021-07-23T21:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/?page_id=7455"},"modified":"2025-08-14T18:02:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T18:02:50","slug":"cover-letters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/cover-letters\/","title":{"rendered":"Cover Letters"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row content_width=&#8221;grid&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1446198786982{padding-top: 65px !important;padding-bottom: 41px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<h5>Craft messages that open doors<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner section\"><\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;25px&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]A good cover letter can mean the difference between landing an interview and disappearing into the slush pile. We\u2019ll show you how to write a compelling letter that makes a great first impression.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;]\n<blockquote class=\"qodef-blockquote-shortcode\"  >\n\t<h4 class=\"qodef-blockquote-text\">\n\t<span>In this section<\/span>\n\t<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#write\">Preparing to write<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#draft\">Writing your first draft<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#formatting\">Formatting your letter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#polish\">Polishing your letter<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"write\"><\/a><br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;]\n<blockquote class=\"qodef-blockquote-shortcode\"  >\n\t<h4 class=\"qodef-blockquote-text\">\n\t<span>Preparing to write<\/span>\n\t<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_column_text]A strong cover letter answers two key questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Why are you interested in this opportunity?<\/li>\n<li>Why should the company be interested in hiring you?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Without a cover letter, you\u2019d have to rely solely on your resume to make an impact big enough for the hiring manager or recruiter to call you for an interview. Use your letter to highlight your abilities, show why you\u2019d be a great fit for that particular job and, of course, demonstrate your excellent communication skills.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Just as chefs gather all of their ingredients before starting to cook, you\u2019ll start by collecting information about the job, the company and your strengths as they relate to that role. Here\u2019s how to get started:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Prepare your resume.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Each statement in your letter will refer to a bullet point in your resume, so it\u2019s important to <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/resumes\/\">complete your resume<\/a> first.<\/li>\n<li>You may also want to leverage the work you\u2019ve done on <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/your-personal-brand-and-career-story\/\">your personal brand and career story<\/a>. This process helped you identify your strengths and capabilities, so make use of it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong> Review the job posting carefully.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Make note of the key skills and qualifications in the description.<\/li>\n<li>If the posting offers few details or you\u2019re applying for an unadvertised position, research similar positions at similar organizations for guidance on what to emphasize.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong> Research the company.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Review the company\u2019s website to understand its market, products and vision.<\/li>\n<li>Search for more information, such as news articles, press releases and social media posts.<\/li>\n<li>Seek information from your network of contacts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong> Complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/2x8qgizl7dam7o9\/Cover%20Letter%20Prep%20Worksheet.pdf?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cover Letter Prep Worksheet<\/a><\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>The worksheet will help you organize your research, list your relevant skills and qualifications, and choose examples of accomplishments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"draft\"><\/a><br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;]\n<blockquote class=\"qodef-blockquote-shortcode\"  >\n\t<h4 class=\"qodef-blockquote-text\">\n\t<span>Writing your first draft<\/span>\n\t<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_column_text]Now that you have all the information you need, you can put together your first draft.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Structure <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Your letter will fill two-thirds to three-quarters of one page, and it will include up to four paragraphs. The body of the letter should be around 400 words.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ol>\n<li>Header<\/li>\n<li>Salutation<\/li>\n<li>First paragraph: Introduction \/ summary statement<\/li>\n<li>Middle paragraph(s): Skills, experience, professional development, extracurricular activities<\/li>\n<li>Closing paragraph: Reinforcement of interest and desire to move to the next step<\/li>\n<li>Complimentary closing and signature<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Header<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>At the top of the page, type your name and designation (if you have completed one) in 14-pt font.<\/li>\n<li>Below that, in 11-pt font, add your contact information: phone number, Rotman email address and LinkedIn URL.<\/li>\n<li>Below that, add the name, title and address of the contact at the company you\u2019re applying to. If the complete address is not available, include all known information.<\/li>\n<li>Below that, add a line with the position title (and reference number\/job identification, if applicable).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Salutation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If no contact name is provided, use:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">Dear Recruitment Manager,<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">Dear Hiring Manager,<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If a contact name is provided, use:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">Dear [first name],<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>You can also check LinkedIn to see if the person has indicated their preferred pronouns.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. First paragraph<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Your opening paragraph should demonstrate strong interest, passion, and knowledge about the company, role and\/or company people you\u2019ve met. Grab the reader\u2019s attention by telling a compelling story, highlighting a detail about the company, or shining a spotlight on your qualifications. Show that you\u2019re a great fit for the role by connecting your skills, interests and experiences to the company\u2019s needs. Emphasize what you can do for <em>them<\/em>, not the other way around.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019ts<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Don\u2019t start with a dull, generic statement like \u201cIn response to your ad for a [position], I am enclosing my resume\u2026\u201d or \u201cPlease find attached my resume\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t provide a laundry list of your accomplishments. This is boring and repetitive.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t try to cram everything into your letter. Choose strong, relevant, specific examples that match what the company is seeking.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t use examples that are not a bullet point on your resume.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t include any personal details (age, marital status, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;]<div class=\"qodef-message  \" style=\"background-color: #e20778\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-message-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"qodef-close\">\n\t\t\t<i class=\"q_font_elegant_icon icon_close\"  style=\"color: #e20778\"><\/i>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-message-text-holder\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-message-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-message-text-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Do I need to tailor my cover letter for each job?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Yes. Your cover letter, like your resume, should be tailored to the position and reflect your suitability for the role. Demonstrate your familiarity with the company, either through research you\u2019ve done or meetings you\u2019ve had with people who work there.<\/p>\n<p>For similar jobs, you can usually keep your middle and end paragraphs the same or similar, but consider tweaking keywords or revising your examples based on company-specific requirements, catchwords or corporate values.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_column_text]<strong>4. Middle paragraph(s)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In one or two paragraphs, demonstrate your strong fit for the role by connecting your experience to a few of the position\u2019s most important skills. You can also mention extracurricular and professional development activities that differentiate you from other candidates, such as relevant industry\/volunteer work, certifications, designations, etc.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>Start with the facts <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">\u201cMy four years as an engineering consultant with [company] have helped me to develop a diverse skill set that will allow me to excel as a member of [target company]\u2019s strategy group\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">\u201cI am a licensed professional engineer with extensive experience in Ontario\u2019s energy sector and have primarily worked as a client-facing nuclear consultant. In my previous engagement at [company], I managed a $7-million contract as the lead engineer. On this project, I developed\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">\u201cOver the past year and a half, I have been working full-time, studying part-time and running a not-for-profit. I enjoy working hard and know that this is something that the position at [company] will demand of me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>Summarize key skills with examples <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">\u201cWhile at [company], I conducted a valuation for a mid-cap mining company, for which I prepared a financial model of the organization from scratch. I compiled the valuation findings with industry research and comparables into a deck and presented my research and recommendations to the Board of Directors. After extensive consultations with various stakeholders across the organization, I compiled our findings into a proposal that was eventually implemented by the client, resulting in an acquisition of a smaller competitor worth $10 million.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">You can also include one or two sentences that provide insight into items on your resume that employers might be curious about, such as gaps, career changes, etc.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Closing paragraph <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Use this paragraph to reinforce your interest and desire to move to the next step.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">\u201cI am eager to tackle challenging problems using skills I have gained from my previous experience as a Project Lead, my Master\u2019s degree in Engineering and my MBA. I believe that I have a lot to offer the [company] team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Follow that with a warm closing statement such as:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">\u201cI would very much appreciate the chance to connect with you at your earliest convenience should you feel that my education, skills and experience are a fit for this role. Thank you for your time and consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t repeat your contact information (it\u2019s already in the header).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Complimentary closing and signature<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>End with a formal closing, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Sincerely,<\/li>\n<li>Regards,<\/li>\n<li>Respectfully,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"formatting\"><\/a><br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;]\n<blockquote class=\"qodef-blockquote-shortcode\"  >\n\t<h4 class=\"qodef-blockquote-text\">\n\t<span>Formatting your letter<\/span>\n\t<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_column_text]Your cover letter should look clean and professional. Follow these formatting tips:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Choose a font that\u2019s simple and easy to read, such as Arial, Cambria or Georgia. (Your resume font should match.)<\/li>\n<li>Set the font size to 10 pt.<\/li>\n<li>Use an 8\u00bd\u2019\u2019 x 11\u2019\u2019 page and set the page margins from half an inch to 1 inch.<\/li>\n<li>If you\u2019re submitting a hard copy, print your resume on high-quality white or ivory paper.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;]\n<blockquote class=\"qodef-blockquote-shortcode\"  >\n\t<h4 class=\"qodef-blockquote-text\">\n\t<span>Polishing your letter<\/span>\n\t<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_column_text]Once you\u2019ve written your letter, run through the steps below. Repeat until your letter is in the best possible shape.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Read your letter aloud to check that it flows well and the tone is appropriate.<\/li>\n<li>Proofread your draft for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. (Don\u2019t just use a spellchecker \u2014 if you\u2019ve typed the wrong word but you spelled it correctly, a spellchecker won\u2019t catch it.)<\/li>\n<li>Follow the formatting tips above, and check for any formatting glitches.<\/li>\n<li>Ask a friend, a classmate, a mentor or Career Services staff to review your letter. Consider their feedback and revise your letter. Repeat steps 1 to 4.<\/li>\n<li>Proofread again! We can\u2019t emphasize this enough \u2014 many employers disregard applications with errors.<\/li>\n<li>If using the \u201ctrack changes\u201d function in your word processor, accept all changes and turn off track changes.<\/li>\n<li>Save your letter as PDF.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;]<div class=\"qodef-message  \" style=\"background-color: #e20778\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-message-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"qodef-close\">\n\t\t\t<i class=\"q_font_elegant_icon icon_close\"  style=\"color: #e20778\"><\/i>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-message-text-holder\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-message-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-message-text-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Common writing errors<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Check your letter and resume for these common mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation that spellcheckers might miss.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Look for words mistakenly used in place of others that sound similar, such as \u201ctheir,\u201d \u201cthere\u201d and \u201cthey\u2019re,\u201d or \u201cyour\u201d and \u201cyou\u2019re.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Check for unnecessary apostrophes. For example, people often write \u201cit\u2019s\u201d (a contraction for \u201cit is\u201d or \u201cit has\u201d) when they mean \u201cits\u201d (this indicates possession: \u201cThe company released its annual report\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>Check that your subjects and verbs agree. Singular subjects go with singular verbs, and plural subjects go with plural verbs. Sometimes people aren\u2019t sure whether the subject of a sentence is singular or plural. For example, in a phrase like \u201crange of options,\u201d the subject is \u201crange.\u201d That\u2019s a singular noun, so you should use a singular verb: \u201cThe range of options is impressive.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Look for dangling modifiers. A modifier is a phrase that describes something else. If it\u2019s unclear what\u2019s being described, or if the modifier seems to describe the wrong part of a sentence, the modifier is \u201cdangling.\u201d The result is a sentence that confuses or amuses: \u201cAttending the webinar, my webcam stopped working.\u201d (It wasn\u2019t the webcam that attended the webinar.) Better: \u201cMy webcam stopped working while I was attending the webinar.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Read your writing slowly to look for missing or duplicated words, spaces and punctuation marks. Also check for instances of \u201cpubic\u201d instead of \u201cpublic,\u201d and \u201casses\u201d instead of \u201cassess.\u201d (It happens. Don\u2019t let it happen to you!)<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t double-space after a period \u2014 it\u2019s old-fashioned.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For additional writing support, consult your Rotman Career Coach.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;]\n<blockquote class=\"qodef-blockquote-shortcode\"  >\n\t<h4 class=\"qodef-blockquote-text\">\n\t<span>Next steps<\/span>\n\t<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For visual aid, refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fi\/kbqjtpykm6zzxthiru1yu\/2021-09-21-Rotman-Cover-Letter-Template-Sept-2021.docx?dl=0&amp;rlkey=v6awitoxzlv4lg9kns4z2xrw9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rotman Cover Letter template<\/a> document.<\/li>\n<li>Consult the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fi\/3ffkw5rzs2eh1xs0hqsjj\/Table-Format-Rotman-Cover-Letter-Template-2024.03.18.docx?rlkey=upfper5hc2588jrk11vp1fk0h&amp;dl=0\">Rotman Table Format Cover Letter template<\/a> as an alternative option.<\/li>\n<li>Review your cover letter with your Rotman Career Coach.<\/li>\n<li>Download the Career Services\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/pzmio2o24akpj0c\/Job%20Search%20Tracker.xlsx?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Job Search Tracker<\/a> Excel workbook.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Next: <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/social-media\/\">Social media<\/a><\/em>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;40px&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row content_width=&#8221;grid&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1446198786982{padding-top: 65px !important;padding-bottom: 41px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text] Craft messages that open doors [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;25px&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]A good cover letter can mean&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":746,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7455","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/746"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7455"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10235,"href":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7455\/revisions\/10235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.rotman.utoronto.ca\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}