Skip to main content
Communication, Art + Technology › Communication
Communication Co-op Coordinator

picture of Marcia smiling
She's told you again and again, and now she isn't holding anything back! Communication Co-op Coordinator Marcia Shimizu gives the dirt on what not to do when writing a cover letter.

Marcia: Hi Bernard. How’s it hangin’? Thanks for stopping by as I actually have some feedback for you on your cover letters. I’ve read over a few of your recent applications and think they could use a bit of tweaking in order to make them a bit more effective ‘cause they all sound quite similar to each other.

Bernard: Gee, thanks – I didn’t know I needed to give so much thought to my cover letters.

Marcia: Well, Bernie, if I was your mother, I would tell you to stop being so lazy. But since I’m not your mother, what I’d recommend would be that you take some time to write a tailored cover letter for each position you apply to.

Bernard: Are you joking? I have enough trouble just keeping up with writing three papers in one week, not to mention my part-time job. Is it really that important that I spend a lot of time on applying to each job?

Marcia: Tell me then, what are your long term career goals, and how do you propose you’re going to achieve them?

Bernard: Well, my eventual plan is of course world domination. However, to start, I wanna find work in my discipline a few months after I graduate, maybe with someone I met through Co-op.

Marcia: So how do you expect to accomplish this through submitting generic cover letters that wouldn’t impress an employer?

Bernard: Hmm… Do they really pay that much attention to a cover letter? I mean, that’s what the resume’s for, isn’t it?

Marcia: A lot of employers won’t look at your resume unless they see enough that interests them in your cover letter!

Bernard: Really? Huh. I never though of that. Alright, anything else?

Marcia: Well Bernie, I’m glad you asked. I’m not happy with your less-than-inspiring openings.

Bernard: How so?

Marcia: Would you read through a complete article or book if the introduction didn’t grab your attention? So often I read cover letters that start off “As a third year Communication Co-op students I was very excited to see your posting on Symplicity, blah blah blah.”

Bernard: Yeah… so?

Marcia: Well, how does that set you apart from any of the other candidates applying for a position?

Bernard: Okay, I see. So I need to start impressing them from the get-go do I?

Marcia: Precisely! Tell the employer specifically why you want to work for them. Was it the job description, the employer, the industry that made you want to apply? Do a bit of research about them. There’s a relatively new invention called the “internet” that is readily available and is great at providing information when preparing for cover letters. In addition, you might also want to peruse the student profiles section of the Online Learning Community.

Bernard: The introduction eh, Marcia? Thanks!

Marcia: And just as importantly, don’t forget to proofread. Spell check will not pick up an error such as, “I’m a ‘forth’ year Communication student.” If employers see typos, it might immediately eliminate you from the running. So Bernard, if you’re serious about succeeding in Co-op, you need to put in the time in order to reach your goals. The next time you sit down to write a cover letter, what are you doing to do differently?

Bernard: Well, I guess I’ll have to put my essay writing skills to good use!

Marcia: I'll say young chap. Get cracking!

Communication Co-op Coordinator
Marcia was a co-operative education coordinator at SFU where she provided education and support to students in the co-op program.
visibility  65
Jul 17, 2012

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Seeking, Work Term Extension

author, courtney, smiling
A Second Term in Government: More of the Same?

Having completed my first work term for Health Canada as a Communications Officer Intern, I was eager to try something new, and the government was not where I believed that was going to happen. That is until I was offered a position at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada...

tower in ottawa
Increasing Your Chances of Working for the Government

With the stability and the opportunities that a government position provides, it’s not surprising that a lot of students are interested with working for the government. The What Can I Do in Government session gave students an opportunity to network with a panel consisting of alumni, current students and managers who are experienced in working for the public sector. Read on for some insights and tips that the panelists provided!

a portrait image of a woman smiling and looking into a distance
Self Discovery

In the changing labour market there are increased opportunities for seeking your own Co-op placement through a Self-Directed Work Search. In this 3 steps blog series by our career advisor Heather Williams, learn about how to successfully conduct self-directed work search from self-discovering to landing an informational interview.

You Might Like These... Your Next Co-op

Erik Bainbridge Smiling
International Co-op: An Interview with Erik Bainbridge

Erik Bainbridge, a Political Science student, shares his international experience doing four work terms in three different positions in China and Hong Kong. He worked as an English teacher in Shandong, an Event Manager at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CamChamHK) in Hong Kong, and a Trade Intern for the Consulate General of Canada in China.

two interviewers engaged in a conversation
The Dirty Dozen Interview Questions

Needless to say, we all want to succeed while being interviewed. Yet it seems no matter how much we prepare, we always come across at least one question that stumps us. Part Two of this three-part series explores the 12 most commonly asked, commonly-feared interview questions...so read on!

SFU Vancouver library
Seven Reasons You Haven't Landed A Job Yet

You think you’re doing everything you should be, but is there something you’re missing? We collected seven simple reasons why you haven’t landed a job yet.