PURSUITS 2011! - Business Education Council of Niagara

Covering the basics
Each time you send out your resume, you need to write a cover letter. Employers don’t
have the time to read every job application they receive in full, so keep every cover
letter brief (it should be no longer than one page). An employer should be able
to scan it over quickly for key information.
A cover letter is also the first real contact with a person who may become your
employer. Therefore, it’s your opportunity to a make a good impression and
to show an employer what qualifies you for the job - this could be through your
personal strengths, skills, abilities, work or volunteer experience, or academic results.
Basic format for a cover letter:
Wri ting a cover le tter
• State the job you’re applying for - name both the job title listed
in the job posting/advertisement and the name of the company.
Employers may be hiring for multiple positions so be clear on the
position you are applying for.
• State why you want to work for the company - what is it
about the job or the company that appeals to you Where possible,
try to show that you have some knowledge of the company, and
its products or services.
• Highlight the skills and qualifications you feel that make you the best
candidate for the job - ALWAYS try to link these with the key skill
requirements of the position as stated in the posting/ad. If there
are certain skills mentioned in the job description, be sure to
mention them as well in your cover letter.
• Finally, ask for an interview - this shows you have initiative and are
enthusiastic about the job.
When job searching it’s best
to stay organized. Missing
interviews and showing up late
is unprofessional and can cause
you to loose that perfect job
you were hoping to land for the
summer. Employers want
motivated teens who are going
to arrive to work on time.
Use this contact/interview
schedule to keep track of your
interviews and follow up calls
required.
CONTACT/INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
Name of Address Phone Contact Contact Misc Info Interview Follow up
Business Name Date Date Date
Patrick’s Diner 2323 Andrews St, 905-648-1234 Jeff Smith Mar. 14, 2011 Not hiring yet, May 21, 2011 May 23, 2011
St. Catharines.
call back
in May.
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