Cover letters and networking

1. COMM 202 TUTORIAL 5
COVER LETTERS & NETWORKING
T35 & T40
TA: Stella Cho

2. TODAY’S AGENDA
1. TA Feedback Debrief
2. Cover Letter Peer Review
3. Networking
4. Action Items

3. Week 9 Week 10 Week 11
• Tutorial: Cover
Letter &
Networking
• What’s due:
Cover letter
draft before
tutorial on
Turnitin
• Tutorial: Informational
Interviews
• What’s due: Resume &
Cover Letter Assignment
due on Mar 12th at
11:59pm on Turnitin and
COOL
• Networking Event on Mar
13tH 6-8pm in CPA Hall
• Lecture: Interview Prep
• What’s due:
• Have your info
interview date and
time confirmed
• Networking
reflection due
March 21st @
11:59PM on
Turnitin
COURSE TIMELINE

4. TA FEEDBACK DEBRIEF

5. FEEDBACK RECAP
Continue Start Stop
• Weekly emails & assignment
reminders
• Detailed explanation of assignments
and requirements
• Communication and clarity
• Use of personal examples
• Clear and concise slides
• Exercises with examples
• Relaxing, comfortable, fun class
• Approachability
• Music J
• Responding to emails quicker
• More transparency on
assignment grading
• More examples
• Post slides ahead of time
• Send out grading rubric for
skills matrix assignment
• Speak louder for attendance
• More office hours
• Give feedback on participation
• Encouraging even more
participation
• Sending emails out
late in the week

6. COVER LETTERS

7. LET’S BEGIN!
Trade your cover letters with
the person on your left when
a new section starts
Bring your pens out!

8. COVER LETTER FORMATTING
• Left aligned (NOT justified)
• No indents on paragraphs
• Bullet points vs. paragraphs
• 2-3 relevant skills
• Consistent font size (minimum size 10)
• Appropriate font
• Margin sizes
• Spacing between paragraphs
• White space
• One page
**Headers of cover letter and resume must
match, it’s all about branding**

9. ADDRESSING THE COVER LETTER
Date
Contact Name (if known)
Title
Company Name
Address 1
City, Province Postal Code
Re: Position Title (and reference number if given)
Dear [First name Last name],
or Dear Hiring Manager/Committee, or Dear Mr./Ms./Mx.
Last Name,
[Opening Paragraph] *Make sure you tailor your cover letters!*

10. ADDRESSING: EXAMPLES
Unknown Person Specific Person
(assume known marital status)

11. SIGNING OFF THE RIGHT WAY
Sincerely, / Regards, / Best,
(Written signature if you want)
Your name
BCom Candidate 20XX
Sauder School of Business
Enclosed or Attached*: Resume
* Enclosed: physical copy
* Attached: electronic copy

12. LET’S LOOK AT THE OPENING
• How is the hook?
• Interest/passion for the position?
• Skills/experience matching the job posting?
• Is primary or secondary research integrated
• Name drop? (when applicable)
• Branding: CAN-WANT-FIT
EXAMPLE

13. OTHER OPENING EXAMPLES

14. SKILLS MATCHING (BODY PARAGRAPHS)
- Skills to match the position?
- STARL format?
- Are there examples – specific & concise?
- Transferrable skills?
- Do results show strengths or success?
Think about the link:
Why should the employer care?
EXAMPLE

15. OTHER SKILLS MATCHING PARAGRAPH EXAMPLES

16. CLOSING – MAKING A GOOD FINAL IMPRESSION
-Are skills reiterated?
-Is sincere interest expressed?
-Graciously thanks employer for consideration
-Call to action (aka request for a meeting)
-Tie back to hook/intro, wrap it up in a nice bow
EXAMPLE

17. WHAT COUNTS AS AN ERROR?
spelling &
grammar
Incorrect or
missing info
improper
formatting
No job
posting
attached
This counts as 2
errors
inconsistencies
incorrect
order
**Please note errors are not limited to this

18. NETWORKING

19. NETWORKING CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE
Chance
meetings

20. NETWORKING CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE
Facilitated events

21. NETWORKING CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE
Via direct
request

22. Why We
Network
WHY DO WE NETWORK?
• Get your foot in the door (faster)
• Gain insight about a company, industry, or career path
• Practice your interview and networking skills
• Find a potential mentor
• Show them who you are beyond your resume and cover letter

23. THE NETWORKING FEELS

24. LET’S TALK ABOUT NETWORKING
EVENTS
i.e. the COMM 202 networking
event next week

25. Researching
Delegates
RESEARCHING DELEGATES
Check out the delegate info on the course blog
Look at the LinkedIn profiles of delegates you’d like to speak to:
• Note any interesting topics
• Hone in on similar experiences or shared groups
• Think about questions to ask
During the event, be interested and self aware!

26. What do you
mean ”self
aware”?
BE SELF-AWARE
• Being self aware means having conscious knowledge of one’s own
character and feelings
• Treat the delegates the way you would want to be treated
• Put yourself in the shoes of a delegate – how would you feel if a student
came up to you holding your LinkedIn profile picture? Hint: awkward,
creeped out

27. DRESS CODE
For the COMM 202 Networking
Event, dress in business casual
This means less formal than
business formal, but still
professional!

28. BUSINESS CASUAL DRESS CODE
ü Professional dresses or skirts, dress pants, chinos, or khakis (but no jeans
or athletic pants for example)
ü Sweaters, blouses, collared shirts with or without ties
ü Patterns and colours are acceptable as business casual (no hoodies, T-
shirts, tank tops, tops with slogans)
ü Clothing should be crisp and not wrinkled
ü Footwear should still be professional for an office setting such as loafers,
dress shoes or booths, heels, or flats (no flip flops or running shoes)

29. Talk About…
“Lurking around the food station is a really good trick. People will
ask you what things are, and you can offer advice on what’s tasty.”
Compliment them
Talk about food
“People love talking about themselves and people love
compliments. Be genuine though!”
Smile
“Just stand on your own and soak in the environment and smile at
people. You will be a beacon of light for the other people who don’t
know who to talk to.”
Open up the circle
“You might be getting bored with the first 2 people so make sure
you make room for other people to join the circle party!”
CONVERSATION TIPS

30. Ending A Conversation
Thank them for
their time
Ask to connect
after the event
Be polite &
gracious
Leave with a
handshake
ENDING A CONVERSATION

31. Follow Up
Hi Rachel,
It was so great to get the chance to speak with you at last
night’s networking event. I was really inspired by what you said
about “building your personal brand”, and I am looking forward
to putting your advice into practice.
I would love to continue our conversation about your experience
at KPMG. I understand that you are very busy, but it would be
great to meet for about 20 minutes. Would you be available to
meet on Monday or Tuesday next week? Coffee is on me!
Thank you,
Sally
FOLLOW UP (WITHIN 24 HRS)
After great conversations, send a
personalized email or LinkedIn request
(Or maybe an informational interview
request?)

32. Networking Event Reflection
Due on March
21st at 11:59pm
on Turnitin
NETWORKING EVENT REFLECTION
• Your paper needs to include:
• Your goals in attending the event
• What is your purpose in going? What do you want to know about Sauder?
• Define SMART goals beforehand – How will you define the success of your
evening?
• How did you prepare for the event (research potential delegates)
• What was it about these people that motivated you wanting to talk to them?
• A brief summary of who you spoke with and what you learned in the conversations
• A reflection on the lessons you have learned about the networking process
• Next steps you will take to continue building a relationship with your new contact
(if you plan to)

33. SO HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW?

34. ACTION ITEMS
1. Resume and Cover Letter due March
12th @ 11:59pm on Turnitin and COOL
2. Cover Letter & Resume Toolkit on
MyBCom site + checklist on blog
3. Networking Event : March 13th 6-8pm in
CPA Hall
4. Networking Reflection due March 21st @
11:59pm on Turnitin
5. Tutorial Next Week!