markewicken in Cover LetterMyths and Realities

A good cover letter is critical to your job search

Myth: When potential employers look at your resumé they will see the relevance of the qualifications for the job for which you are applying.

Reality: Most people scan a resumé the first time they look at it, so don’t assume they will see all the points you want them to see. A well crafted cover letter should highlight the skills and experience you feel are relevant to the job. This will draw attention to the things you want to be sure they know about you. Question: But what if nobody reads the cover letter? Answer: So what if they don’t? What if they do?…there in NO downside to sending a good, professional cover letter with your resumé.

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How to make a cover letterWriting a cover letter

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.