The Cover Letter

The cover letter is used when you are mailing or dropping off a resume to a prospective
employer. It plays an important role in the process of getting a job.
The purpose of the cover letter is to attract attention to you and your suitability for the job.
The cover letter also is where you state the reasons you are interested in the job or the
company.
When writing your cover letter, keep these tips in mind:
1. Use the KISS principle: Keep it Short, Simple and Specific no more than three
paragraphs, no more than one page.
2. Type your cover letter and remember to sign it.
3. Write the way you speak. Avoid stuffy formal words and phrases like: Enclosed please
find. Instead, try Im keenly interested in ______ and believe I have the qualifications
youre looking for.
4. The contents of your cover letter should flow in this order:
First paragraph: state why you are applying for the job. What is it about the job or
company that attracts you.
Second paragraph: Emphasize the specific knowledge and skills that make you a
strong candidate for the job.
Dont repeat what is already contained in the resume. Try saying things like this:
Im well-qualified for the job based on my two years of related experience. Then
emphasize particular strengths you have to offer relative to the job. For example:
Your description of the ideal candidate highlighted enthusiasm and strong
interpersonal communication skills. These are strengths I would bring to the
position.
Third and closing paragraph: describe in assertive, positive language what you
expect will happen or what you plan to do next. For example I look forward to
meeting you in an interview to discuss my suitability for this position.
5. Use good quality paper.
6. Make sure your letter contains no spelling or grammatical errors.
7. Be original and show enthusiasm.

Alayiah WolfChild
PO Box 1671
Siksika, AB
T0J 3W0
February 19, 2014

Animal Shelter
659 5th Street
Calgary, AB
T2A 3L2

Re: animal shelter

Dear Mr. Smith,

The position advertised In the Strathmore newspaper would be a good match with my skills. I am in my second
year high school and hope to attend Saint in Calgary. I will be majoring veterinary so that I could bring it back
to my reserve. I wish to be considered for the open position you are currently advertising.
I have been interested in taking care of animals in need for a while and am very excited to start achieving and
pursuing my dreams. I have three animals and have been researching many diseases that may accrue within the
animals that I own. Though looking on the Internet its not always correct and will not give me the personal
connections to the animals. I am very involved with many animals that come across my path and connected,
though I cannot speak to them I have good communication skills.
I want to help and achieve the homes that many of your animals will be loved and taken care of. I feel that by
having me help and attend to the animals will give them a feeling of warmness. I am self- motivated, and the
knowledge that Ive gained through the Internet will be useful to the workers in detecting some minor cases. I
can do minor jobs requested and with out questioned.
Thank you for taking your time to read and consider my application. I am looking forward to the interview at
your available time. You can contact me at 403-901-9405 between 4:00-10:00 or on my email at
alayiah.wolfchild@gmail.com
Sincerely,

Alayiah WolfChild
Andrew Riley
ENCL.

Assessment Rubric for Cover Letter

Cover letter should

get you the
interview.

Business format
and overall
quality of writing
ability

This letter uses

correct
business format with
date and addresses at
the top, and a
signature at the
bottom. This letter
is clear, concise and
grammatically
correct. There are no
spelling errors.

Section 1:
Introduction

This section
identifies the
position for which
you are
applying, and
explains why
you are interested in
the job. You have
described how you
heard about the
opening. The wording
is creative and
catches an employers
attention quickly.
This letter
identifies one or
two of your strongest
qualifications, and
clearly
relates how these
skills apply to the
job at hand. This
letter explains
specifically why you
are interested in the
position
and this type of job,
company, and/or
location
This letter refers
the reader to your
resume or any other
enclosed documents.
This letter thanks
the reader for taking
time to consider your
application. You are
assertive as you

Section 2:
Identification of
skills and
experiences as
related to
position

Section 3:
Closing

Cover letter could

land you an
interview.
This is an average
letter (borderline
case).
This letter uses
correct business
format with date and
addresses at the top,
and a signature at
the bottom. There are
minimal spelling and
grammatical errors.
While its content is
appropriate, this
letter does not
compel an employer to
call.
This section
identifies the
position you are
seeking. This letter
does not describe how
you heard about the
opening. You vaguely
describe why you are
interested in this
job. This section is
bland and might not
catch someones
attention fast
enough.
This letter
identifies one of
your qualifications,
but it is not related
to the position at
hand. This letter
restates what is on
your resume with
minimal additional
information. You
explain why you are
interested
in the position, but
are too
vague.
You thank the reader
for taking time to
read this letter. You
do not refer the
reader to your
resume or application
materials. This
letter assumes that
the employer will

Cover letter needs

significant
improvement
and would be
discarded
during screening
Business formatting
is not used in this
letter. There is no
address or date at
the top. This letter
is not signed. There
are multiple spelling
and grammatical
errors. The content
of this letter does
not make sense to the
reader.
This section does not
clearly identify what
position you are
seeking. There is no
description of how
you heard about the
position, or why you
are interested. This
letter will not grab
an employers
attention and keep
him or her reading.
This letter does not
discuss any relevant
qualifications. You
have not related your
skills to the
position for which
you are applying.
This letter does not
state why you are
interested in the
position, company,
and/or location.

This letter does not

thank the reader for
taking time to
consider your
application. There
is no reference to a
resume or other
materials. This
letter does not

Grammar, Punctuation,
and choice of words
for the letter

describe how you will

follow up with the
employer in a stated
time period.
Excellent job on word
choice, grammar, and
punctuation.

contact you to follow

up.

mention any plan for

follow up.

Grammar and
punctuation mostly
correct for a thank
you letter.

Grammar, punctuation,
and choice of words
poor for a thank you
letter.