Your resume is a living document that will change over time.
Ensure it captures critical information about the following:
- Why the employer should hire you
- What you are capable of
- What you bring to the employer and role
Always be honest and proofread before sending out to employers
VMock is a 24/7 AI-powered career assistant offering instant resume feedback. Access it for free with your BroncoDirect login.
Why is it important
A well written cover letter introduces your resume and motivates the employer to read it with greater interest and attention. Use it as a tool to link yourself to the employer and demonstrate your skills.
It is best to customize a cover letter for each job.
Unless told otherwise, you should always send a cover letter with your resume.
Exceptions would be a career day, job fair, or on-campus recruiting.
Essentials of a Cover Letter
One page that includes the following information:
- Your contact information
- Your contact information can be used as a header similar to your resume (optional)
- Date
- Company Name
- Recruiter Name and title (if available)
- Company address
- Paragraphs describing your interest in the position
- Salutation
Other Documents and Portfolio Items
A reference is an individual who provides you a solid statement about you as an individual and the contributions you have made or experience you have acquired.
Begin now and acquire a few references for when you need them. Potential references could be:
- Supervisors (including from volunteer opportunities)
- Co-workers
- Faculty members
- Staff members
- Clients or customers (especially from entrepreneurship ventures, freelance, contract work, etc.)
Give references a few weeks to reply to you.
Share details to help guide them on content. This would often include:
- Your resume (ideally the tailored version for this job posting)
- A few items you want them to highlight
- The job posting or a summary of the role and key items to highlight
Depending on your major, a writing sample may be requested as part of the job application.
PR, Marketing and Journalism industries are examples of industries often asking for these samples. They are often emailed or included with the application but follow instructions as provided by the employer.
What is the employer seeking?
- Employers want to view the type of ‘writing’ style you would bring to the organization.
- Be mindful of each employer and create the sample according to category of style for the role.
- Journalism opportunities might request published articles that have been published in campus news or additional publications.
- If it’s a role in PR, a draft of a press release might be requested. Indicate whether it was an actual event or a sample for an upcoming event.
- Write according to the related topic and send your best written work.
- Double-spaced samples are best however, always follow instructions and/or prompts provided by the employer.
