Example Cover Letter

There are no ‘perfect’ example cover letters because your cover letter must be unique to you, your situation and the job to which you are applying. Every one should be different.

The first thing you must understand is why you are sending a cover letter. The cover letter is the link between you ( and how you found out about the job) and your resume. To NOT send a cover letter is a big mistake and missed opportunity. Even if you are not asked for it, always send a cover letter with your resume.

 

Your cover letter (addressed to the right person) is your best chance that the right person will actually see your resume and hopefully read it. The cover letter tells the reader why you are writing and why they should look at your resume. The cover letter can also highlight those skills and qualities you emphasize in your resume.

Do not just copy the same words and language found in your resume to the cover letter. Make the cover letter targeted and uniquely yours.

If you are sending your resume via email do not send your cover letter and resume as two separate documents. Either create one document with your cover letter followed by your resume or put the cover letter in the body of the email and attach your resume document.

The best cover letter is one that you create specifically for your needs.

If someone tells you a cover letter in not required or says that people do not read cover letters…ask yourself the question, ‘What is the downside to sending a cover letter?” The answer is simple and obvious…Zero!

The upside? It just might make you stand out from your competition and be remembered.

markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.