Creating a Standout Cover Letter

As we head in to August and start to think about employment and volunteer opportunities for the fall and winter, it is important to start prepping our job search documents to make sure they stand out in the competitive market. Cover letters are a great way for employers to understand a little bit more about who you are, what your qualifications and skills are, and how you might complement their organization. Before you start writing a cover letter, it is important to understand the document’s purpose. A cover letter is sent alongside your resume to provide detailed information on your skills and experiences.​

Here are some important reminders to get you started:

• The letter is meant to be an introduction to you and your skills and why you are qualified for the job. 
• Don’t simply repeat what’s on your resume -- rather, include specific information on why you’re a strong match for the employer’s job requirements. 
• Think of your cover letter as a sales pitch that will market your credentials and help you get the interview. 

A cover letter is an important way to showcase how your unique combination of skills and experience meet the key requirements of the job description. ​It is your chance to show a clear link between your knowledge, experience and abilities and the needs of the employer.​ One of the best ways to demonstrate this connection is to customize your cover letter to the specific position you are applying to. 

Here are some tips to help you understand how to dissect a job posting. This will help you identify priority skills and experience for a job, and provide you with direction for tailoring your application.​

• Read through the position summary and qualifications​
• Categorize the job responsibilities into common themes. This could be a specific area of expertise or competency required for the job (e.g. event planning) ​
• Connect the skills and qualifications to the responsibilities involved in each theme

We hope you find these tips as useful as they have been to us! If you have any questions about cover letters or other job search documents, please feel to email us at career@brocku.ca or access our cover letter resources on http://careerzone.brocku.ca. 

Networking from a Distance & Experiential Learning

Networking from a Distance and Experiential Learning

        Though we have been accustomed to face-to-face interactions, this new time has propelled us to one that is primarily online. As a result, daily activities such as networking, has shifted to online platforms, which may be unfamiliar to some of us. However, instead of focusing on the unfortunate circumstances, look on the bright side! Even though networking has moved online, there is ample opportunity to connect with others on a global capacity. Online platforms help us expand the network we already have into other communities with similar interests.

Networking

        To network means you are interacting with others and reciprocating information that can strengthen your social connections and help develop your communication with professionals. People in your network can include friends, family, co-workers, classmates, professors, alumni and many more! These networks are an effective way of gaining knowledge about different opportunities in your preferred field of study, while exploring individuals’ outlooks and experiences.

Benefits of Networking
        One benefit of networking is that it builds credibility and visibility. When you network, you create a presence for yourself. This is important because it builds engagement among the relationships you have. When you establish a good profile for yourself you are also building trust with employers, co-workers or anyone else you may come in contact with.

Other benefits of networking include: 
• Gaining insight into the day in life of your desired career.
• Greater understanding of various career journeys and how       one’s career has developed overtime.
• Becoming aware of new openings and opportunities for work or even an internship.
• Increasing the number of your contacts.
• Providing you with a support system for advice and recommendations.


How can you Network?

        To help you get started on your networking journey, we suggest using LinkedIn and Brock
University’s platform of Ten Thousand Coffees. LinkedIn is a professional platform that can be used to build your profile, find jobs or internships, strengthen professional relationships, and connect with various individuals to help you navigate your career journey. For more extensive help in creating your LinkedIn profile and making connections please go to CareerZone.brocku.ca > Student Resources > Social Media & Branding, to find a variety of helpful documents and guidelines.

     
        Ten Thousand Coffees is another great online platform that connects students (undergraduates and graduates) - across a large group, where individuals seek out help from others and learn from one another. Ten Thousand Coffees works by virtually connecting students and alumni based on their career goals and interests. To get started please visit Brock University’s Ten Thousand Coffees at (https://www.tenthousandcoffees.com/schools/brocku).

Experiential Learning

        Experiential learning is the process of gaining new knowledge through hands-on experiences in your environment. It is also a means of schooling or gaining new information through self-reflection. Learning experientially allows you to make connections between concrete materials taught in school and in real-world contexts. The advantages of experiential learning include, on-the-spot feedback from your supervisors, the opportunity to implement your transferable skills and cultivate thoughtful work habits.

Ways to Get Involved
        Some ways to get involved is to look for some course-based experiential learning opportunities at your institution. Brock University has some program specific experiential learning opportunities built into the courses. You can learn more here (https://brocku.ca/ccee/experiential-education/). Students can check out guidelines on internships, going abroad, volunteering, job postings and getting involved at Brock or in the community by visiting careerzone.brocku.ca > Student Resources > Gain Experience Tab or Going Global Tab. All of these are great tools of experiential learning because they help you gain a better understanding of your skills and its application to the real world.

Email: career@brocku.ca 

Instagram: @brockcareerzone

Twitter: @BrockCareerZone