BUSINESS LETTER FORMAT
Your Address City, Province Postal Code Date Employer=s Name (Don=t know the name? Check with the Co-op Office!) Employer=s Title Company Name Address City, Province Postal Code Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. (Last Name of Employer): INTRODUCTION (Paragraph 1) Start with a strong sentence to show why they should be interested in you; indicate why you are writing, what type of job interests you, why you are interested in the company, and how you were referred to the company; mention you are seeking a Co-operative Education opportunity of a specific duration. BODY OF LETTER (Paragraph 2 and 3) Sell yourself; give a summary of your relevant experience and skills and how they meet the employer=s needs; focus on your program of studies; highlight your strongest skills, accomplishments, personal traits and values; demonstrate your research on the company; refer to the enclosed resume for more details. Match your skills to the job description. This is a chance to outline your skills as they relate to the job. Use descriptive, positive, action verbs to describe what you can do. Give concrete examples. When answering an advertisement, make sure to include all the requirements listed in the posting. Identify your academic background, skills, accomplishments, strengths and personal qualities. Relate your talents to the position as advertised or to the employment areas you want to access. * Explain briefly why you would like to work for this employer. Demonstrate that you know something about the company. (Research the company via Annual Reports, through the Web Site etc.) When mentioning salary requirements, it is safe to use >negotiable= or >open= to describe what you expect. If the ad did not mention salary, leave it out completely. If it did, check the
Graduate Employment Report for average starting salary ranges for your program before suggesting what you think you should earn; or discuss it with your Co-op Coordinator. CLOSING (Paragraph 4) Restate what you can do for the company; thank the employer for their attention or consideration. Use an appropriate closing to pave the way for the interview; give your phone number, email address or other way in which the employer can contact you. Yours truly, (Leave 4 - 6 spaces) Your signature
Your name (typewritten) Enclosure (indicates your resume is attached)
If sent by email, put your name in Italics e.g. Yours truly,
Diana Young (via email)