How to Write Cover Letters That Get Results

I was excited to start my professional journey in Canada and sent resume after resume out to employers. However, I didn’t get a single call. Was my resume so wrong and mediocre? It had a great design, competent educational background, and skillsets...What was it?! One day, I —and my savings account—couldn't take it anymore. We needed help.

Luckily, I heard about a career workshop at my college. I went there and met an experienced career specialist, Javier Lavalle, who taught me the importance of cover letters.

For many newcomers to Canada, the concept of cover letters can be confusing at first. Surely it was for me. Coming from a Latin American country, where the most important aspect of job hunting is to have an impeccable resumé, cover letters may seem unnecessary and tedious. However, crafting a well-written cover letter is crucial to catch the attention of potential Canadian employers.

Concrete Tips to Be Successful in the Canadian job market

Here are Javier’s tips about how to write a great cover letter.

Let’s start with defining what a cover letter is. A cover letter is like a movie trailer for your career story. It is a brief, engaging introduction that, just like a movie trailer, highlights the best scenes (your accomplishments) to create excitement and intrigue, and showcases your unique style (personality and potential) to leave a lasting impression. The goal is to make the employer eager to learn more about you and invite you for an interview!

Equally important is not to make your cover letter a copy of your resume. This is a common mistake and it is off-putting for recruiters. While your resume outlines your work history, skills, and qualifications, the cover letter complements it by providing a personalized introduction, emphasizing the specific reasons you're a great fit for the job, and ensuring that you don't bore the employer with redundant information. Instead, capture their attention with a more engaging and focused narrative, making them curious to explore your resume afterward for further details.

In writing the letter, it is important to keep it within 3 or 4 paragraphs and strike a balance between information the employer needs to know and adding a personality touch through personal stories. Recently, a friend wrote a 5-page cover letter to apply for a role at Disney. He narrated how he fell in love with the brand when he was just ten years old, and how The Emperor's New Groove shaped the way he conducts his life now. He didn’t get an interview.

Okay, so we know what it is, what it is not, and why we need one. But a blank page is always intimidating. Luckily, recruiters expect it to broken into sections and that also makes it easier to write!

Who am I?

First, you should talk about why this company and role is ideal for you. Use some passionate and engaging writing! After all, it needs to be the hook that catches the attention of your reader.

Include your name and contact information at the top of the letter. Begin with a formal greeting and a sentence acknowledging the positions for which you are applying. Hiring teams deal with many applications. Reminding them about who you are and what position ion you are interested in is polite and professional.

Hard Skills and Experience

After you’ve introduced yourself, you need to incorporate hard skills into your cover letter. These refer to the specific technical abilities, knowledge, and expertise you acquire through education and training and offer immediate proof of your suitability for the job, setting you apart from other candidates. Making a strong case for your candidacy can increase your chances of getting hired.

Soft Skills

These types of skills provide a holistic view of your qualifications and demonstrate your ability to excel not just in tasks, but also in interpersonal interactions, team dynamics, problem-solving, client relations, leadership potential, and overall fit.

This section is a way to differentiate yourself as a candidate who can make a meaningful impact on the team and the company as a whole. You might boast your critical thinking, time management skills, or even that you are a quick learner!

Write a movie trailer that everyone will want to see!

Call to Action

Finally, you want to encourage the employer to invite you for an interview and review your attached resume. A strong CTA can help you with that, as it demonstrates your approach and eagerness to move forward in the application process, leaves the employer with a clear memory of your application, and adds a polished touch to your letter, signaling that you are organized and confident in your pursuit of the position.

Throughout this structure, it's really important that recruiters feel you wrote it for the job. Tailoring your cover letter for each company you apply to is essential because it shows the employer that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in working for their specific organization. You can address the company directly and mention why you are drawn to its mission, values, and products, highlighting the skills and experiences that directly align with their needs and requirements.

Your cover letter is the first chapter of your job search journey. Don't make the mistake of thinking that including one in your application may or may not be necessary. In Canada, it is. Omitting this step can cost you the job of your dreams, even if your resume is spectacular. But do not panic! With the right insights and strategies, such as those that Javier gave to me, writing your cover letter should be easy-peasy.

Your story is waiting to be discovered, so let's ensure your cover letter is the friendly introduction that opens the door to your next chapter of professional success.