Cover Letters and Resumes are key job search documents that have to catch an employers eye, represent you as a professional and show your knowledge of industry and the job. Check out our samples or for some quick tips choose one of the following:
Applying to an Ontario Government position? Be sure to read their OPS Cover Letter & Resume Guide. This guide is ONLY relevant for positions within the Ontario Government.
On your mark..
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- Research the company and the job posting. You want to show you are informed and knowledgeable about the company and the industry. Use the world at your fingertips.
- If you aren’t sure where to start, Labour Market Research will help you find information to include that could make your application stand out!
Get Set..
- Now that you know what the employer is looking for, you need to match skill sets and experiences with the employer needs, if they can’t see the match they won’t have a reason to call.
- Show them the proof! Provide examples of how you used relevant skills in the past. These examples can be pulled from education, placements, internships, co-op, applied projects, work, volunteer, and things you do for fun!
- Choose your writing style, there are a hundred different ways to format your documents, find a style that reflects your experiences in their strongest light but that also shows an awareness of the industry.
- Check out some of our samples if you aren’t sure where to start.
Go…
- Write away!!! And yes that rumour you heard about having to adapt your content to specific jobs and companies is true!
- Proofread. We’ll say it again just in case you missed it the first time… PROOFREAD!! Nothing will cause an employer to put your application in the “NO” pile more quickly than a document with errors. You don’t have to be a grammar guru (although if you are hats off to you), always ask someone else (book an appointment with the friendly folks in Career Services) to give it a second glance.
- Trying to figure out what headings you should use? Checkout this website with ideas for a variety of headings.
- Your documents should be updated to reflect the needs of the position/company you are applying for… in other words it’s never done. The good news is you are continually able to make yourself look better!
Do you need more help with your resume and cover letter or do want help preparing for an interview?
Ask our online Employment Advisors for assistance or book an appointment with a Career Educator.