Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a key element of an effective cover letter?
Which of the following is a key element of an effective cover letter?
- Using overly complex language to demonstrate advanced vocabulary.
- Omitting contact information to maintain privacy.
- Clearly stating the role and company you are applying for. (correct)
- Exceeding one page in length to provide ample detail.
A cover letter should generally be more than one page in length to fully showcase your qualifications and experience.
A cover letter should generally be more than one page in length to fully showcase your qualifications and experience.
False (B)
What is the primary purpose of including examples in a cover letter?
What is the primary purpose of including examples in a cover letter?
- To demonstrate your ability to follow instructions.
- To impress the reader with your accomplishments, regardless of relevance.
- To fill space and make the letter appear more substantial.
- To connect your experience to the specific requirements of the job. (correct)
In a cover letter, what should you do if you know the hiring manager's name?
In a cover letter, what should you do if you know the hiring manager's name?
The ______ of a cover letter should match that of your resume to maintain a consistent and professional appearance.
The ______ of a cover letter should match that of your resume to maintain a consistent and professional appearance.
Match the formatting element with its description.
Match the formatting element with its description.
Why is it important to show you've done your research about the company in your cover letter?
Why is it important to show you've done your research about the company in your cover letter?
It's acceptable to use general statements about your teamwork skills in a cover letter without providing specific examples.
It's acceptable to use general statements about your teamwork skills in a cover letter without providing specific examples.
A cover letter should:
A cover letter should:
What does ATS stand for?
What does ATS stand for?
An ATS uses ______ to filter out candidates who don't meet the minimum qualifications.
An ATS uses ______ to filter out candidates who don't meet the minimum qualifications.
Match the ATS function with its description.
Match the ATS function with its description.
Why do companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?
Why do companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?
Because ATS strips formatting from uploaded documents, it is best to use bold, italics, and underlining in cover letters to make certain points stand out.
Because ATS strips formatting from uploaded documents, it is best to use bold, italics, and underlining in cover letters to make certain points stand out.
What should you do with addresses and salutations when submitting a cover letter through an online "Personal Statement" textbox?
What should you do with addresses and salutations when submitting a cover letter through an online "Personal Statement" textbox?
Aside from submitting your resume through traditional channels, what is one way to bypass the ATS?
Aside from submitting your resume through traditional channels, what is one way to bypass the ATS?
When including experience in a cover letter, you should align the content with the job ______.
When including experience in a cover letter, you should align the content with the job ______.
Match the term to its proper description:
Match the term to its proper description:
In the context of a cover letter, what does 'Call to Action' refer to?
In the context of a cover letter, what does 'Call to Action' refer to?
It's better to vaguely state teamwork skills in a cover letter than providing examples.
It's better to vaguely state teamwork skills in a cover letter than providing examples.
Referrals are particularly valuable because they often:
Referrals are particularly valuable because they often:
Why is it important to be specific in the examples you offer in a cover letter?
Why is it important to be specific in the examples you offer in a cover letter?
If formatting is not possible in a text box it's important to keep ______ simple.
If formatting is not possible in a text box it's important to keep ______ simple.
Match the format elements to their descriptions:
Match the format elements to their descriptions:
Which is the most important thing to do when formatting the font for a cover letter?:
Which is the most important thing to do when formatting the font for a cover letter?:
When starting a cover letter it is fine to state, 'I am applying for role XYZ, as listed on LinkedIn'.
When starting a cover letter it is fine to state, 'I am applying for role XYZ, as listed on LinkedIn'.
An individual includes "From my previous experiences I have shown excellent teamwork and collaboration skills." Which of the following is an issue?
An individual includes "From my previous experiences I have shown excellent teamwork and collaboration skills." Which of the following is an issue?
What type of automation strips the formatting of a cover letter?
What type of automation strips the formatting of a cover letter?
If unable to find the name of the hiring manager, it is important to leave the ______ blank.
If unable to find the name of the hiring manager, it is important to leave the ______ blank.
Match the following:
Match the following:
A cover letter most importantly does which of the following?:
A cover letter most importantly does which of the following?:
It is fine to make things up in a cover letter to be more exciting.
It is fine to make things up in a cover letter to be more exciting.
Which of these is the best example a cover letter?:
Which of these is the best example a cover letter?:
What needs to be a perfect match for the cover letter?
What needs to be a perfect match for the cover letter?
A cover letter can be submitted in two forms through an ATS: (1) to be read by a human or (2) to be ______
A cover letter can be submitted in two forms through an ATS: (1) to be read by a human or (2) to be ______
Match the best answer:
Match the best answer:
What is a helpful tactic when being reviewed by a recruiter?:
What is a helpful tactic when being reviewed by a recruiter?:
Cover letter are only of value when an ATS passes it though to a recruiter.
Cover letter are only of value when an ATS passes it though to a recruiter.
What is the problem of having AI determine whom is hired?:
What is the problem of having AI determine whom is hired?:
When writing something that is easy to read what should you not do?
When writing something that is easy to read what should you not do?
The tone of a cover letter most often should be ______ and professional, rather than over exuberant.
The tone of a cover letter most often should be ______ and professional, rather than over exuberant.
ATS automatically can remove individuals if they don't meet which of the following?:
ATS automatically can remove individuals if they don't meet which of the following?:
In a text box that makes formatting hard you need to match it with the resume.
In a text box that makes formatting hard you need to match it with the resume.
Flashcards
Cover Letter Length?
Cover Letter Length?
Cover letters should be concise, ideally limited to one page.
Cover Letter Format?
Cover Letter Format?
Use regular margins and clear spacing to enhance readability.
Cover Letter Address?
Cover Letter Address?
Address the letter to a specific person, ideally the hiring manager.
State Role and Company?
State Role and Company?
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Use of Examples?
Use of Examples?
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Connect Experience?
Connect Experience?
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Formal Letter Format?
Formal Letter Format?
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Correct Information?
Correct Information?
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Emphasis in Cover Letter?
Emphasis in Cover Letter?
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Address block elements
Address block elements
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Addressing the Manager
Addressing the Manager
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Interesting Opening?
Interesting Opening?
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Highlight Key resume information
Highlight Key resume information
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Avoid Resume Duplication?
Avoid Resume Duplication?
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Show the Connection?
Show the Connection?
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What is an ATS?
What is an ATS?
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ATS Cover Letter Type?
ATS Cover Letter Type?
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application questions
application questions
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Statement textboxes
Statement textboxes
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What do ATS do
What do ATS do
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Study Notes
- Cover letters
- CSCI 2100-Workplace Communications
- Dalhousie University
Key Elements of a Cover Letter
- Limited to 1 page
- Should be correctly addressed
- Must clearly state the role and company in question
- Makes use of examples
- Connects experience to job requirements
- Needs a formal letter format
- Should include correct information and contact details
Cover Letter Structure
- Limited to a single page
- Use regular margins with clear spacing
Style
- Use consistent heading
- Block letter format
- Name can be included or left blank
- Provides clear examples
- Ends with a call to action
- Has a role ID, if relevant
- Includes a Subject line
- Paragraphs written with a single idea
Font and Spacing
- Be easy to read
- Matches the resume
Emphasis
- Use bold, italics, and underline consistently to emphasize important points and key words
Address Block
- Includes your address, the date, and their address
Addressing
- Use the hiring manager's name if you know it
Content
- Keep it interesting and get their attention
Research
- Show that you've done research on the company
Provide Evidence
- Align content from the job description and use clear examples with outcomes
- Highlight key information from your resume
- Avoid duplicating your resume
Showing the Connection
- Show why you are the best fit for the job
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
- These are systems used to track applicants
- Common platforms include Workday, Bamboo HR, Taleo, Greenhouse, and Brassring
- Processes applications automatically
- Includes recruiter ranking, interview planning, and offer/rejection processes
Automatic Processing
- Often a hidden process that searches for keywords
- Matches job description requirements
- Utilizes auto-rejection tools, such as residency or educational requirements
Why Automation?
- Due to hundreds of applicants
- Dozens of positions
- Limited time
The Human Element
- Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) reduce applications
- A recruiter still shortlists
- Resumes must work for both ATS and recruiters
- Many ATS systems strip formatting
Bypassing the ATS
- Referrals from current employees
- Referrals are not universal
- Some bypass ATS and sometimes the recruiter
- Networking matters
ATS with Cover Letters: Various Approaches
- Uploaded cover letter (human only)
- Uploaded cover letter (parsed)
- Online "Personal Statement" textbox
- Application Questions
- "Any further information" input
Formatting is Frequently Lost
- Spacing is kept simple (assume it is lost)
- Formatting is removed (bold, italics)
- Addresses and salutations are removed for statement textboxes
A1 Cover Letter
- Assignment scenario involves a 3-month "internship" with HaliHali Halibut
- They are hiring a team of interns to help them select products to digitalize their business
- Submit a résumé, cover letter, and recorded interview
Rubric
- Assessed on:
- Context (/4)
- Information (/4)
- Genre (/4)
- Sources & Evidence (/4)
- Presentation (/4)
Resume Checklist
- Context:
- Is your letter correctly addressed?
- Do you clearly state the position applied for?
- Do you establish interest in this specific job?
- Is the language tailored to the job description (key words)?
- Content:
- Do you address the specific requirements in the role profile?
- Do you demonstrate knowledge about the field and company?
- Do you demonstrate what contributions you can make to the employer and workplace?
- Genre:
- Have you followed a professional business letter format?
- Is your tone polite and professional, not exaggerating your accomplishments?
- Is your letter a single page with appropriate spacing?
- Is your opening and closing professional?
- Have you included a polite and professional request for interview or follow-up?
- Does the letter have appropriate spacing (1” margins, single spacing, block format)?
- Sources and evidence:
- Have you included relevant and specific examples used throughout?
- Have you connected your examples back to the requirements of the role?
- Do your examples align with the other elements of the submission?
- Presentation:
- Is the font clear and easy to read?
- Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?
- Is the language and presentation clear and unambiguous?
- Is the language free of technical jargon?
- The résumé and cover letter must reflect personal experience
- Contact details, organization names, and role titles may be changed
- Must match your cover letter and resume
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