Why Cover Letters Matter

Author: Liz Evans, Peer Advisor

Recently a good friend of mine said to me, “cover letters aren’t that big of a deal.” Then the other night I was complaining to my mom about how I did not want to have to write a bunch of cover letters, she said that cover letters weren’t that hard!

I would like to disagree with both of these statements. Cover letters are the worst and most tedious part of the application process, but are also very important, and in a lot of cases, I believe may even be more important than your resumé.

Think about it, as a university student you may be looking for either a summer job, or your first professional position, but your resumé looks like most other people’s resumé since the majority of the applicants are just like you. Most students have minimal work experience, some volunteer work and are working on or finishing an honours degree.  Your cover letter is what gives you the opportunity to prove to the employer that you are different from everyone else. The employer uses it to gauge how genuine your interest is in the position.  A cover letter is your personal touch that allows you to make an effective argument as to why your skills, interests and experiences will allow you to be successful in this particular job. This is where you get a chance to say why you are qualified, why the employer should hire you. 

Here are a few helpful hints on cover letter writing:

1. ADDRESS your cover letter to a REAL PERSON!
2. OPEN with an attention-grabbing first sentence to really grip the reader. This approach will almost guarantee your cover letter and resumé get a much closer look.
3. REMEMBER — Less is MORE! The best cover letters have plenty of white space. Clear, focused, short and sweet gets the interview every time.
4. FOCUS on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do you for you.
5. CHOOSE WORDS that show enthusiasm and passion for the position you seek.
6. REQUEST ONE ACTION you want the employer to take: “I would really like the opportunity for a personal interview this week.” (You never know until you ASK)!
7. END your cover letter with enthusiasm such as, “I look forward to being interviewed at your earliest convenience. Thank you so much for this opportunity. Sincerely, Jane Jobseeker.” (Notice how Jane assumes she’ll land the interview? This approach is clever, smart, and it works like a charm).

Most importantly, you need to write a different letter for each opportunity. Companies are all different and so should your cover letters. Cover letters are a pain, but we have to write them, so you might as well learn how to do them well!

Are You Ready to Write The MCAT?

By: Mehak Bhatia, Peer Advisor

The thought of being almost done with second year triggers a feeling of excitement as well as of nervousness. Each time I get pumped up about finishing second year of school and going on a summer holiday, my mind howls, “THE MCAT!” to crush my hopes of a wonderful summer.  An admissions test – such as Medical College Admissions Test (aka MCAT) – for education in a post graduate school can be one of the most draining tasks in the four years of undergraduate education. Busy class schedules often leaves only summer to prepare for and write this intense test.  So as to minimize the need for sacrificing multiple summers, it becomes important to plan your summer wisely for writing an admissions test. Certain things such as finances, study strategies, time management and other commitments should be considered for a healthy MCAT recipe.

The application fee and cost of study materials – whether preparation courses or only textbooks – form the major expenses for MCAT, and require hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, certain organizations such as AAMC provide students with financial assistance for writing the MCAT. Some universities also have provisions for discounts on study materials, and thus are a great resource to reduce the financial burden of writing an admissions test.

Often students consider enrolling in preparation courses such as KAPLAN that are designed exclusively to assist students in writing the MCAT. At some universities, students who have previously written the MCAT and have been successful will provide tutorials to help fellow students prepare. It is not always necessary to enroll in a preparation course to study for the MCAT, but if you need structure to get motivated, it may be a wise idea!  

Besides spending time with family and friends, summer is also the time for returning to previous jobs or applying for a new job so as to manage finances for the following year and to build on your work experience. However, when you have admissions tests on your plate, managing time for such commitments can be challenging. The MCAT requires studying an enormous amount of material, and therefore, is extremely time consuming. This is not to say that one should not make any other commitments when preparing for the MCAT. However, you have to really buckle down to get the pre-studying done effectively.

Last but not least, working hard and smart is the most important skill in order to be successful at the MCAT. Know what to study and how to study it! Often times, students study hard for the material that is not too important, and do not focus on what is important. Therefore, networking with students who have previously written the test and researching for effective study guides must be considered to figure out exactly what material to focus on.

Preparing and writing for an admissions test does seem like the most daunting task. However, with wise planning and effective time management, this task can be completed successfully. If you are unsuccessful, there is no need to be discouraged since MCAT can be written again and your score is totally reversible. However, to avoid spending excessive time, money and energy, plan your summer so that you are successful at your first attempt!

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and Get Networking

Megan Wibberley – Peer Advisor

With the summer quickly approaching I thought it would be appropriate to write about networking since the itch to find a summer job is beginning! I find networking a little scary, to be honest. I am not necessarily a shy person, but there is something about networking (especially in an environment like you would find at a meet and greet or conference) I find particularly scary. One thing that always improves my confidence is to prepare before hand. If there is a company in which you are interested, conduct the research so you have some topic points for conversation.

Networking is great for developing contacts but also building relationships, and that is an important thing to remember. I have developed great friends that I met through summer jobs. These friends are also great contacts and have helped me out on the job front since I met them. These contacts are always good for expanding your network as well. I attended a conference last year and one of my friends was there, and through her I met way more people then I would otherwise have met on my own. The conference was huge and I was very nervous about approaching anyone because everyone seemed to know people and I knew no one – until my friend arrived.

The Career Centre has many good books that offer more information and more detailed actions that can help you build your network. A few good ones that helped me are:

Make Your Contacts Count – By: Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon and

Networking – How to Build Relationships That Count – By: Colleen S. Clarke

The best thing to do is ask people you know first who they may know, in order to foster some leads. Networking always takes me out of my comfort zone, but in the end I have never had a bad experience with it – so give it a try!

‘The Must’ of Networking

Author: Lexy Malcolm, Peer Advisor 

Well, it seems like that time of year is coming up again for university students. A time to relax and get a nice break from school. Many students plan on going on vacations with friends or family; however if you’re one of the few who just plan on going home for a visit, then you should definitely take the time to launch your networking. 

The time you spend at home will be a great time to start getting in contact with friends, family and employers to get the word out there about your summer job search. If you’re hoping for a marketing position this summer, then maybe one of your friends has a relative who you can get in touch with, or maybe you have an aunt who is involved in that industry. Either way you should try and get in touch with at least 3 to 5 people who have experience in the industry or field you are contemplating for a career. 

Once you are about to find the contact information, then try calling or emailing them in order to conduct an informational meeting. It may feel intimidating calling a complete stranger, however, if you have taken the time to come up with areas that you need assistance with and show a real interest in the field, then people are generally willing to help. Once you find a time to sit down one-on-one with the professional, make sure you are prepared and know what kind of questions you wish to ask. Some areas may include the advantages or disadvantages of the field, type of entry-level jobs, information regarding salary, along with anything else you are curious about. 

During the meeting, try to obtain as much relevant information as possible to help with your summer job search. If you still feel a little unsure about conducting an informational interview, there’s no need to worry as the Career Center is here to help! Start by viewing the Career Centre’s Informational Interview Booklet, which is where you will find everything you need to know about effectively conducting one of these interviews. Once you feel confident enough in your skills, start networking as soon as possible.

Self- Reflection- The First Step To A Better Job Search

Author: Karleigh Buist, Peer Advisor

As a second year communication studies student, I recently participated in a mock interview. During the interview, students are video-taped in order to receive feedback regarding body language and strength of answers.

After reviewing the footage taken during my mock interview, I realized that I needed to become more confident with my answers. I learned that in order for potential employers to believe in me, I first had to believe in myself. I also learned that my quiet nature can be perceived as disinterest. Obviously not something you want to project in an interview.

 Throughout the mock process, I began to realize how critical self-reflection can be in terms of how you promote yourself and how others see you. This ties directly into the TypeFocus assessment available through the Laurier Career Centre. Through this assessment, students are asked a variety of questions which can help to determine which personality categories they might fit into. Through this process, students begin to learn how their unique personalities can affect how people may perceive them. My assessment results showed me that when working in groups, I have a tendency to dismiss group member’s ideas. I have taken this information and applied it directly to group work that I am involved with both on and off campus. Becoming more self-aware has allowed me to take a second look at how I interact with people on a daily basis.

I also found the TypeFocus assessment very helpful in terms of my summer job search. My assessment results helped me discover that I have a tendency to come up with one particular idea, and stick with it without considering other options. I found this to be very truthful in terms of the type of job that I am aiming for after graduation. Through the assessment process, I have learned that I need to continue exploring other career options; even if I believe I know what direction I want to go in upon graduation. By taking the assessment, I was able to see how different aspects of my personality can be portrayed as both positives and negatives. Overall, it is extremely important to become more self-aware in order to succeed to your fullest.

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Author: Mike Gregor, Peer Advisor 

The famous idiom of the wolf in sheep’s clothing.  The predator disguised as prey.  Malice feigned as kindness.  History has its fair share of Trojan Horses, but there is only one example that has instilled such massive travesty and affected such a vast majority of humanity.  I am talking about the elusive interview question: “Please tell me a little about yourself.” 

All facetiousness aside, this question can often be overlooked by job applicants.  Some interviewees stress over practicing the perfect answer, while others disregard this question as ‘small talk’ preceding the actual interview.  Both are incorrect approaches.  Like any other question, the employer is looking for an applicant who knows his or her strengths and is able to accurately describe them.  This particular question is only different for the simple reason that it is extremely open-ended.  

I break this question down into two parts.  First, the employer really does want to know the ‘surface answer’ – really do describe yourself!  Be sure to include your interests and desires that make you a living, breathing human being.  But the employer also wants to know the ‘underlying answer’ – how you describe yourself.  

What will you choose to talk about? Will you go from toddler years and your infatuation with turtles all the way to your future retirement plans as a bachelor in South Florida or focus on recent and relevant work and extra-curricular experience?  

How will your answer sound? Will you act as if you were describing the life and times of a blade of grass or as excited as you should be for describing your amazing life? 

Having just finished a round of interviews with co-op employers, most (if not all) employers asked me this exact question.  My first suggestion is to be prepared.  The majority of all employers will ask this question so you may as well expect it.  Second, do not rehearse your answer.  This will often come across as practiced and forced and you will prevent the ‘real you’ from coming across.  Third, focus on recent, relevant and unique content.  I usually try and mention my 4 – 6 points from my ‘Profile’ section in my resumé – my already chosen unique points.  Finally, be excited!  Would you want to hire somebody who describes themselves as proudly as an 8^th grader reciting Shakespeare passages in front of his class?  I did not think so. 

Despite the opening to this blog, the “Please tell me a little about yourself” question is truly not one of malice or hostility.  It is simply an evaluative question posing as a rapport-building question.  But, now you know better.   If all goes well, the only wolf in your interview will be the employer bragging about the ferocity of their Chihuahua.