HUB INSIGHTS - Career Tips for Ted Rogers School Students - Cover Letters Matter (Updated July 2025)

Sep 13, 2026

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HUB INSIGHTS from the Business Career Hub provides career tips for Ted Rogers School students on why cover letters matter and how to write them effectively. It explains the purpose of cover letters in telling a personal story and adding detail to resume experiences, while helping recruiters distinguish between similar candidates. The guide covers formatting guidelines on length, fonts, margins, and spacing, and outlines the key sections—header, address line, introduction, two body paragraphs using STAR stories, closing, and sign-off—plus a sample resume caution and links to further resources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Why Cover Letters Matter

Formatting Guidelines

Sections Of A Cover Letter

Header

Address Line

Introduction

Body Paragraphs (2)

Closing Paragraph

Sign-off/Closing

Did You Know?

Want to Learn More?

HUB INSIGHTS A Publication of the Business Career Hub Strive to Thrive Career Tips For Ted Rogers School Students These reports leverage the expertise of BCH staff to share best practices for students & alumni. Why Cover Letters Matter Updated July 2025 Cover letters are important because they allow you to tell your story and provide details on the experiences mentioned in your resume . They also let recruiters differentiate between two candidates with similar qualifications . 94% Unsure if a cover letter is worth writing? of hiring managers say cover letters influence interview decisions Formatting Guidelines Length Aim for 2/3-3/4 of a page , including your header and address lines . Going beyond this may mean you need to be more concise in your messaging. The ability to write concisely is a s kill that employers value! Font & Size Use a clean , professional font: Cambria Arial Garamond Tahoma Times New Roman Verdana Recommended font size: 11 or 12 pt Formatting Tip! Keep your margins between 0.75" and 1 " and use single spacing throughout. This ensures your cover letter looks clean and professional without appearing too cramped or too spaced out. Sections Of A Cover Letter Header Address Line Introduction Body Paragraphs ( 2) Conclusion Sign-off/Closing Let’s break down each section: Header Your header should include your name at the top in larger font , then below a list of your contact information including phone number , location , email , and LinkedIn . Here ’s a sample: First Name Last Name Phone Number | City , Province | Email | LinkedIn Address Line The address line should be proper letter format. Here ’s a sample and what you should include: February 8th , 2024 [ Hiring Manager Name][ Company Name] 123 Queen Street Toronto , ON , A 1 B 2 B 3 Note - if you cannot find the hiring manager ' s name/title, you can default to 'Hiring Manager ' or' Talent Acquisition Team '. Dear [ Hiring Manager Name], Did You Know? You can book an appointment with your Career Coordinator to review your cover letter! Book an appointment here and bring a job description with you so you can receive tailored feedback. Introduction What you are applying for: state the role and the company Why you are applying for it: show passion about the role or the company. Tell them why this role/ company resonates with you . What are your relevant skills: state them briefly Body Paragraphs ( 2) Write STAR stories around the skills that are relevant to the role/job description . For example , if it is clear that communication is a required skill for the role , write a STAR story about a specific time you demonstrated strong communication skills . Refer to our Hub Insights page for a STAR methodology explanation . Closing Paragraph Wrap it up! Don ’t introduce any new information . Express gratitude for their consideration and re-state your email and phone number . Sign-Off/Closing Sign-off using proper letter formatting as such:[ Sincerely ,] [ Kind Regards ,] [Thank you ,] [ Best Regards ,][Your First Name Last Name] Sample Resume: With Relevant Work Experience *Please note-copying this resume sample would be considered plagiarism. Use this sample only as a reference* Sample Resume: With Minimal Work Experience *Please note-copying this resume sample would be considered plagiarism. Use this sample only as a reference* Want to Learn More? | Cover Letter Tips | Using the STAR Method | Explore Careers | | --- | --- | --- | | How to Write a Cover Letter | 6 Simple Steps for a Cover Letter | Leverage AI | Visit the Business Career Hub Employer Events Interested in expanding your network and meeting industry professionals? BCH organizes and hosts many industry events - refer to your ‘Careers Newsletter ’or visit here . Bootcamps/Prep Programs Microsoft Excel - Financial Modeling -VBA -Tableau PowerBI -Ace This Case Capi

FAQs

Why are cover letters important for job applications?

Cover letters let applicants tell their story and expand on experiences listed in a resume. They also help recruiters differentiate between candidates with similar qualifications.

What formatting guidelines should a cover letter follow?

Aim for about 2/3 to 3/4 of a page including header and address lines. Use a clean professional font (such as Cambria, Arial, Garamond, Tahoma, Times New Roman, or Verdana) with 11–12 pt, keep margins between 0.75 and 1 inch, and use single spacing throughout.

How should the body paragraphs be written?

Write two body paragraphs using STAR stories that match the skills required in the role description. If communication is required, include a specific STAR example demonstrating strong communication skills.

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Franzy