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We’ve compiled these examples from actual students (edited to be anonymous and to demonstrate a range of strategies) to help you focus your time and write your best cover letter!  \nA brief write-up accompanies each cover letter, discussing its presentation and purpose and highlighting key strategies that the author used in crafting the final product.  \nWe have also included two sections to help guide your cover letter writing. On pages 19-21, observe how one student improved their cover letter, taking it from good to better. On pages 44-49, learn how to tailor your cover letter to specific job descriptions and opportunities.  \nFor easier scanning, you will notice that each cover letter is identified with two to three icons—use these to find cover letters from students with experiences similar to yours. But don’t hesitate to consider other ones as well. You may find a strategy useful, even if you can’t relate to a student’s specific experience.  \nFinally, although these cover letters may be some “best” examples, no cover letter is perfect. As you develop your own best cover letter, you can use these examples as inspiration, and then design the best way to tell your own unique story. Best of luck in your cover letter preparation and job search! For more information on cover letter techniques, job-search tips, workshops, career advising and much more, visit us at Career Services!  \nAcknowledgments  \nA huge thank you to all the students and graduates who generously shared their cover letters as examples for the benefit of other Queen’s students. Thank you also to all those who have contributed to the editing and design of this magazine and its previous editions, including staff and student staff at Career Services. A particular thank you to Ally Mastantuono, Jenny Lee Northey, and Julia Witmer for their leadership.  \nAnd a heartfelt thanks to the employer and educator advertisers whose support helps make this publication available to Queen’s students.  \n3  \nWRITING GREAT COVER LETTERS:  \n4 KEY IDEAS  \nYour cover letter is a succinct introduction that starts a conversation about what you bring to an employer, organization, or educational program. Typically accompanying a resume, a cover letter positions you as someone who understands the requirements and needs of a role. It is an opportunity for you to focus on memorable stories that will help your application stand out.  \n01  \nTARGET AND PERSONALIZE  \nCustomize your cover letter to reflect the needs of a specific position, organization, or program. A targeted cover letter is more compelling to the reader than a generic one. Whenever possible, address your cover letter to someone by name. During your job search, try to find the individual(s) who have the ability to hire you.  \n02  \nRESEARCH CULTURE, VALUES, TRENDS  \nGo beyond the job description to learn more about the organization’s culture, priorities, and challenges through speaking with current or former employers, visiting its website, social media channels, LinkedIn company page and employee profiles. Using your understanding of industry trends, you can tailor your application to match the terminology and language used by the organization and/or industry. This also enables you to express genuine motivation for the role and organization.  \n03  \nUNDERSTAND AND CONNECT TO THEIR NEEDS  \nMake a case for how your skills and experience connect with the role. Demonstrate with evidence how you would do the work, beyond just saying you understand the tasks and responsibilities or what you will gain foryour career. Include evidence that supports and points to your resume—for example, provide relevant stories with details that will help them remember you.  \n04  \nBE PROFESSIONAL  \nYour cover letter should be focused, clear, and have a professional tone. However, be careful of it sounding like a formal academic essay. Consider and be cons","cbCaiv0V85XUmxXk","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiv0V85XUmxXk","pdf",13547107,27,"English","# Writing Great Cover Letters: 4 Key Ideas\n## Target and Personalize\n## Research Culture, Values, Trends\n## Understand and Connect to Their Needs\n## Be Professional\n# Cover Letter Basics\n## Cover Letter Template Fields\n## Introduction\n## Research Piece\n## The Match\n## The Call to Action","[{\"question\":\"How should a cover letter be targeted to a specific job or program?\",\"answer\":\"Customize it to reflect the needs of the position, organization, or program. Address it to the appropriate person when possible and use wording that matches the organization’s terminology and industry language.\"},{\"question\":\"What research should be done before writing a cover letter?\",\"answer\":\"Go beyond the job description to learn the organization’s culture, priorities, and challenges. Use sources such as current or former employers, the organization’s website, social media, and LinkedIn, then apply relevant industry trends in your application.\"},{\"question\":\"What structure and elements should be included in the cover letter body?\",\"answer\":\"Use a clear introduction explaining why you’re writing, a research piece showing why you want to work for them, a match section highlighting key skills with evidence and brief stories, and a call to action that expresses interest and appreciation.\"}]","Queen’s Best Cover Letters 2019/20 | PDF",9]