Cover Letter Format that Employers Notice

Your cover letter for a Canadian job will help employers notice you! And importantly, it can help determine whether or not a recruiter contacts you for an interview. While there is some debate over the need for a cover letter, it’s essential. Your cover letter format can help you to stand out among other candidates and give you a key advantage. With a cover letter for a Canadian job, hiring managers will notice a compelling story about your skills and achievements. On the other hand, a poorly written letter reflects a casual attitude that may affect your ability to land a job. 

Often, newcomers spend time and energy writing a strong Canadian-style resume, but fail to write a cover letter. This approach can lead nowhere. Without a compelling cover letter, it’s easy to get caught in a spiral of rejection from employers or settle for a job that isn’t well-suited to you.

While it’s time-consuming to write a letter that is worthy of notice, it’s time well spent. Many Canadian employers agree that a great letter can make all the difference when selecting who they will interview. However, if the job posting clearly states that a cover letter is not required, you can avoid it. This will also show that you can follow instructions. So, if you’re wondering if you need a cover letter to include with your resume, the answer is yes!

What is a Cover Letter?

It’s an important element when you apply for a job in Canada. A proper cover letter format allows you to share information about yourself that goes beyond what’s on your resume or CV.

A strong cover letter uses clear and concise language and states what is relevant to the job posting. It’s like a sales pitch to convince an employer that you are the right candidate for the position.

The Cover Letter Format

While you can find many generic cover letter samples, it’s better to write your cover letter yourself and tailor it to the specific job and company that you are applying to.

Research and identify why you want to work at that company. Take the time to express it in your cover letter. If you can’t express why you want to work for the company in your cover letter, you’ll struggle to answer that question in an interview. Thorough research will help you identify if your experience, career goals, and values align with those of the company and the position.

Your research will also help you to identify what you admire about the company. For example, has the company successfully expanded in the marketplace? Has the company won a coveted award? Or is it an industry leader in an area that you are passionate about?

Cover Letter Sample

This cover letter sample includes six main sections:

Section 1: Contact Information:

Include your:

• name
• address
• phone or cell phone number
• email address
• LinkedIn Address

Tip
Create a personal LinkedIn profile URL that looks professional and current.

Section 2: Employer Contact Information

Include this address format for the employer:

• Name of the contact (if you have it)
• Title of the contact
• Company name
• Company address

Section 3: Greeting

If the job description mentions the name of the hiring manager, begin with Dear Ms. (or Mr.) followed by their surname. If you’re unsure of the person’s gender, it’s best to use Dear followed by their first and last names.

When the name of the hiring manager is not provided, try to find their name on the company website or through LinkedIn. Alternatively, it’s appropriate to use “Dear Hiring Manager” for the salutation. But, do make an effort to find a name. It’s that much more personal, and your effort will show.

Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”.

Section 4: Introduction

A great cover letter format will grab the hiring manager’s eye with a compelling opening statement. Explain why you are interested in the position. Show that you want to work for that specific organization. Convey that you’re excited about the role. Employers love to hear that you’re excited about the company and that you have done your research.

Answer these questions:

• Why do you want to work for this company?

• What excites you about the opportunity?

Section 5: Body

Describe what you can offer the employer. Draw on your experience and results that relate directly to the job. And help the reader to see why you’re the best candidate.

Make it easy for the reader to connect the dots. For example, your ability to speak multiple languages makes you an ideal candidate for a customer service role. Describe what makes you different from every other qualified applicant. Ideally, this section should be one to two paragraphs.

Answer these questions:

• What challenges or pain points is the hiring manager or company facing?

• How have you solved similar challenges in the past?

• How are you qualified, and why are you the right person to solve their challenges?

• What are three to five qualities that you would bring to this employer or job? For example, are you creative, collaborative, or innovative?

Asking yourself these questions will help you build a foundation for your cover letter format and make it easier to write.

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Section 6: Closing

This final section is more than just closing your letter. It’s about opening the door to further contact. This is where you state what your next action will be. For example, you could state that you will phone or email the reader to follow up or arrange a time for an interview.

It’s also a great opportunity to express your genuine excitement for the role, along with your initiative.

Related Post:

Essential Tips for Your First Job Interview in Canada

Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts

DO	DON’T
Research the company before you write your cover letter Grab the reader’s attention within the first few sentences Tailor your letter for each job you apply for Explain how you can help the company achieve its goals Be clear and concise Keep your letter to a half- or two-thirds of a page to keep the reader’s attention Proofread your letter for spelling and grammar errors.	Use a generic cover letter Repeat what’s on your resume Cut and paste the job description into your cover letter Provide unnecessary details (recent struggles, or why you were laid off from a job).

Writing a great cover letter for a Canadian job is a time-consuming process, but the reward it pays is worth your effort. As a result, a well-written cover letter will pave the way for more job interviews and give you a greater chance to secure a job in Canada that’s perfect for you!

Canadian Style Resume Template

Writing an effective Canadian-style resume can be challenging. That’s why we are here to help. Our free Canadian-style resume template will give you all the information you need to create a resume tailored to the Canadian job market. This template takes all the guess work out of creating your resume, so you can focus on what matters the most- getting the job.

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WRITTEN BY

Corinna Frattini

Senior Editor, Prepare for Canada

Corinna Frattini is the Senior Editor and Content Director for Prepare for Canada. She contributes articles to help newcomers achieve their goals in key areas related to living, working, and settling in Canada. With an extensive background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.

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