Cover Letter Guide - Students - University of Saskatchewan

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Step 6 | Keep TrackKeep track of what positions and organizations you have applied to. For example, if you send out a letter to an employer requesting an interview andoffer to call them during the week of March 3rd, record that date so that you remember to meet that commitment. It is critical to know what you havesaid in correspondence with employers so that you can follow it up.Additional Types of LettersAlthough there are many types of job-search related letters, these are some of the most common. Refer to our Career Library at the SECC for moreinformation about these and other types of letters.Follow-up or Thank-you LetterEvery meeting and interview should be followed by correspondence that demonstrates good manners and serves as a refresher in the mind of theinterviewer. Within two days of an interview or meeting, send out a thank-you correspondence to the person(s) who conducted the interview orarranged the meeting. Reiterate your interest in the employer by mentioning new points or assets you may have failed or forgotten to address in theoriginal interview. After attending a career fair or after a casual meeting with an employer, write a thank you note to employers with whom you met orrequest to add them to your LinkedIn account.Letter of Declination or WithdrawalA letter of declination is written to organizations whose job offers you are rejecting. This letter informs an employer that you will not be accepting thejob offer or that you have accepted another offer. Express your appreciation to the person who presented the job offer. You need not explain why youaccepted another position or the salary offered. It is important to be courteous and tactful.Looking for some feedback? Join us for a QuickTalk!Upon completion of your cover letter, you are encouraged to attend a QuickTalk session. Meet with a friendly SECC staff member to discuss your coverletter strategy and presentation. These are one hour drop in sessions held at various times throughout the week in an informal setting. Visit the SECCwebsite to find a time that is convenient for you.Additional ResourcesStudent Employment and Career Centre (SECC) Services and Resources:Career•¡Interactive online “Career Assessment Guide”•¡Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator® (MBTI) Workshop•¡Strong Interest Inventory® (SII) Workshop•¡Career CounsellingEmployment•¡Online job posting system and job search websites•¡Online resumé builder OptimalResumé•¡Drop-in resumé help sessions QuickTalks•¡Online interview preparation through OptimalResumé•¡One-on-one Mock Interviews•¡Career Fairs•¡On-campus employer interviews•¡Employer Information Sessions4 www.usask.ca/secc
Using Social Media In Your Job SearchWith recruiters leveraging social media to research potential candidates it is becoming increasingly important that you manage the presence you haveonline via Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. When you Google your name, what search results are generated? Inappropriate web content can bevery damaging to your job search. Remember, once hired, it is never appropriate to post comments or information about your company without youremployer’s consent. The SECC has compiled a list of social media websites where you can manage what information is published about you onlineand some tips to consider when using these websites.FacebookTraditionally used as a tool to connect with friends, Facebook is sometimes being used by employers to reach out to prospective jobseekers. Because of the informal nature of this tool, it’s possible that you or your friends may have posted material that may not beappropriate for the world of work. Here are a few tips for ensuring that your Facebook profile does not deter employers from eliminatingyou from the recruitment process.•¡Change your privacy settings to “Friends only” so that your information remains private•¡Choose an appropriate profile picture as it will appear in search results•¡Monitoring your online presence does not end once you have secured employment. Be sure to cautiously consider adding your newcolleagues to your Facebook friends’ list. It may be more appropriate to add them on LinkedIn.LinkedInDescribed as the “professional version of Facebook”, LinkedIn allows you to upload your resumé and connect with professionals locallyand around the world. The SECC highly recommends LinkedIn profiles for connecting with employers. LinkedIn offers several strategiesfor making the most of your profile in their Learning Centre called How to Build a Professional Student LinkedIn Profile found at http://careerservices.linkedin.com/Build-A-Professional-Profile.pdf. You can also search thousands of student internships and jobs for graduates onLinkedIn by visiting http://www.linkedin.com/studentjobs.TwitterA tool used for microblogging (a web post no longer than 140 characters) which could include a comment, link, video or picture and canbe highly valuable in your job search if used properly. Twitter is a great way to let employers know exactly what kind of job opportunitiesyou are seeking and it is helpful in showcasing your professional personality.•¡Have an appropriate account photo•¡Develop a well written bio that describes your career objectives and could include various areas of interest or unique hobbies•¡Tweet relevant, upbeat, useful pieces of information such as interesting/inspiring articles and videos•¡Follow and engage with companies that interest youStay in the loop via the SECC’s social media outlets to receive up to date information on managing your career and job search!www.usask.ca/secc 5
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Cover Letter Guide - Students - University of Saskatchewan

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