Activity 5.2.4 How to Write a Cover Letter

Purpose

To prepare for employment opportunities

Materials

Handouts–

• (1) Example of a Cover Letter
• (2) Cover Letter Worksheet

Computer word processing program

Time

3–4 hrs

Method

1. Share these tips (from the Ottawa Human Resource Centre of Canada for Students) or brainstorm with participants on what would be required to write a good cover letter.
   • Do not use a general greeting. If you are not sure who the letter is to be directed to, call the business and ask for the name of the person responsible for hiring.
   • Be consistent. Use the same font for your letter as you chose for your resume.
   • Personalize your cover letter. Change it to suit every individual job application you send.
   • Try to use the same vocabulary as the employer used in the job offer–those are the key words/qualifications they are looking for.
   • Do a little research on the business first to learn more about the nature and functions of the business.
2. Show and discuss with participants the handout Cover Letter Style. Facilitators may choose to form participants into small groups to read and discuss this. Participants can share ideas using their own personal information to write a cover letter or the facilitator can ask for volunteers to give examples.
3. Make copies or use the handout Cover Letter Worksheet for participants to practice writing their cover letter.
4. When participants have finished writing, have them type their cover letter using a word processing program. Facilitators may ask participants to provide their own disks to save copies of their resumes and cover letters.