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| by Human Resources Development Canada, |
Aug 20, 2001 |
| 1997-2000 Carried out various odd jobs within the community
- Babysitting, dog walking, raking leaves, shovelling driveways
EDUCATION
Cooksville Senior High School, Grade 11
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
1999-2000 Editor of school newspaper The Cooksville Express
1998-2000 Active member of school soccer team
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Fashion design, art, skiing and swimming
References available on request
| You need to attach a cover letter to every resumé you send out, whether you mail, e-mail, fax or personally deliver it. However, you're best not to send out the same cover letter to every employer. Customize each one to the company you're applying to and the job you're applying for. Yes, this means a little more work on your part. But think of it this way: the cover letter gives you a chance to point out exactly why you are perfect for this particular job.
Cover letters usually have three components:
- 1st Paragraph - State your interest in the company and the job. Say how you found out about the opening or the company and why you are interested.
- 2nd Paragraph - Use this paragraph to tell the employer what you have to offer the company by highlighting one or two qualifications you think would be of greatest interest. Point out any special training or experience you have. Refer the reader to your resumé for further details. Demonstrate that you know something about the company and/or the industry.
- 3rd Paragraph - Close the letter by expressing your appreciation for the employer's time and asking him or her to contact you.
Example Cover Letter:
68 Pine Street
Cooksville, ON P7A 5X3
June 12, 2000
Ms. Holly Peters
Manager
Cool Threads Clothing Store
25 Main Street
Cooksville, ON A1B 2C3
Re: Application for sales clerk position
Dear Ms. Peters:
Your ad in the June 10 edition of The Cooksville News for a sales clerk greatly interested me, as this position is very much in line with my immediate career objective — fashion design and/or retail.
I really enjoy working with people and have developed excellent communication skills as editor of our school paper and assistant coach of a junior soccer team. This combined with the fact that I am a highly motivated and conscientious worker makes a customer service position at Cool Threads a perfect fit for me. A resumé detailing my skills and work experience is attached for your review.
I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you to further discuss my qualifications. In the meantime, many thanks for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
(sign your name)
J.P. Roy
(919) 555-1234
Encl.
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References are your chance to get credit for things you've done in the past. A reference can be anyone other than a family member or close friend who knows about your work habits or your personality. An employer may want to call your references to find out more about you. Whether or not the employer plans to call, if you can't produce references on demand, the employer will figure that you can't find anyone who has anything nice to say about you. You probably won't even be considered for the job.
There's no need to list references on your resumé — you can just indicate that they are available on request. If someone is willing to provide you with a written reference, you might want to have a few copies handy.
Application forms often have a component that asks for references — usually in relation to a past job or to someone who already works for the company and can vouch for you.
Approaching References
Always talk to your references first, if possible, and get permission to give their names and telephone numbers to an employer. If they don't seem comfortable with this, take the hint and move on to someone else. (If they don't come across as enthusiastic to you, how will they seem to an employer?)
Who You Can Ask
- Someone from your school (teachers, guidance counsellors, coaches, administrators)
- People you've worked for (babysitting, shovelling snow, delivering papers)
- Someone you've helped (as a volunteer or just as a good Samaritan)
- Someone whose opinion is respected (band elder, minister, priest)
Remember to continue to keep your reference list current and relevant — adding the names of people you've recently worked for and deleting the names of people who have left or who may have forgotten about you over time.
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