Module 1.

2:
Cover Letter: Writing Easy
and Eye-Catching Cover
Letters
(Pre-Reading)

Computational Sciences
 Overview

Structure of a Cover Letter

Writing and Editing Tips

What’s Next
Purpose of a Cover Letter
Show
Interest and
Enthusiasm

Showcase
Your Writing
Cover Stand Out
From Other
Skills Letter Applicants

Demonstrate
Technical and
Soft Skills
 4 Key Paragraphs
• Why are you interested in applying? Personalize it and make it “reader-centred”
• Research the company, technology, product and/or service
1. Opening • Include 2-3 concrete skills in response to the job posting (back up adjectives with proof)

• Highlight 2-3 technical skills from the job posting

• Provide support through academic or personal projects, Hackathons, etc.
2. • Showcase your technical depth and ability; not a mere recall of the different parts of your
Technical projects

• Highlight 2-3 soft skills from the job posting

• Provide support through work/volunteer experience, extracurricular activities
3. Soft • What other qualities are valued in this type of company?
Skills

• Summarize why you are interested in applying

• Request an interview
• Include your personal email AND [email protected] if they wish to schedule an
4. Closing interview
 Cover Letter Format
<Date> Format: October 13, 2022

<Company Name>
<Company Address>
<City, Province Postal Code>
Reference Line

Re: Job Position Title Salutation

Dear <Name> / <Hiring Manager>,

Opening Paragraph: Demonstrate your understanding of the company and why you are interested

2nd Paragraph: Technical Skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for

3rd Paragraph: Soft Skills – ideally from your past experiences

Closing Paragraph: Conclude, ask for an interview

Sincerely,
[e-signature optional; don’t leave any blank lines if you don’t plan to insert your signature]

Your Name
 Cover Letter Format Tips
* Limit to one page
• Mailing Address: Google search; if nothing turns up, leave the
address blank

• Salutation: Use what is provided in the job posting (SCOPE will

usually have a hiring manager/recruiter name)
o “Dear Dave,” or “Dear Mr. Johnson,” and not “Dear Mr.
Dave Johnson,”
o “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “Dear Hiring Committee,”
o Do not write “To whomever it may concern”

• Reference Line: Use this to indicate the position you are

applying for; put it above the salutation line
o “Re: Web Development Co-op Position”
 1: Opening Paragraph
PURPOSE: WHY ARE YOU APPLYING?
• Stand out: start strong and make an impression by giving a sense of what you
know about the company
o What is your experience about the company or product: be genuine and
authentic
o Do your research (eg. LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, company website)
• Get to the point: state why you’re interested in the company, position, tech
stack, industry
o No need to start with “I’m applying for position X” or “I’m interested in
the QA position posted on…” – your reference line has taken care of the
position; no need to repeat
• State your strengths: what specific, related technical skills and qualities do
you have to offer?
 2. Technical Paragraph
PURPOSE: HOW DO YOUR TECHNICAL SKILLS MATCH?
• Connect the dots for the company

• Select 2 to 3 that are related to the job posting

o If the job is just about Java or JavaScript, then do not
mention C/C++
1. Opening
• Expand on one or two key things about your
project(s)
o Show your technical prowess/depth
o Apply the S-A-R framework

• Address unique circumstances, if needed - e.g. a

failed grade, gap year
 Translate your Resume into a
Paragraph with Enriched Content (1)
Resume
NHL Fantasy League Database: Designed and implemented NHL fantasy
league database using Oracle RDBMS and Java. Implemented standard
SQL queries, search and comparison queries, and trading features.

Cover Letter
I recently implemented a fantasy hockey league using Java and Oracle
RDBMS. This project involved designing a project from the proposal
stage, iterating on schemas and finally implementing the application,
including writing SQL statements for various search scenarios, rankings,
and implementing player drafting and trading mechanics.
 Translate your Resume into a
Paragraph with Enriched Content (2)
Resume
A Travel Planning Social Network Jan 2020 – Apr 2020
• Emulated a travel planning social media system utilizing PHP and MySQL.
• Used database normalization to future proof code and improve data integrity.
• Implemented various division, aggregation, join, projection, selection, update,
deletion queries with interface for user to specify conditions.
• Prototyped in Figma and fulfilled UI with HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

Cover letter
As a team of three, I worked to emulate a travel planning social media system in
MySQL, PHP and JavaScript where we used database normalization to future-proof
our code and improve data integrity. My responsibilities included implementing
user-facing and interactive usages of the database. This consisted of features such
as updating profiles, extracting web page statistics for admins and additionally
designing the UI/UX for the team to work towards. The project provided my first
exposure to web development and PHP. I am glad that I decided to step beyond
my comfort levels as I was quickly able to pick up many new skills along the way.
 3. Soft Skills Paragraph
PURPOSE: HOW ARE YOUR TRANSFERABLE SKILLS APPLICABLE?
• Draw examples from work/volunteer experience or extra-
curricular activities from your resume
• Typical soft skills companies ask for:
o Communication (written and verbal)
o Team work
o Initiative
o Problem solving
o Analytical
o Organizational
o Leadership and motivation

• Typical character traits that certain types of companies look

for:
o Startup: “can do” attitude
o Small company: self-motivated, self-learner
o Big company: team work
 Soft Skills Paragraph Example (1)
Resume
Sales Assistant, Best Buy
• Assisted customers with finding products
• Maintained current knowledge of new technological trends for computers
and laptops
• Answered any questions customers may have about potential purchases

Cover Letter
As a Sales Assistant at Best Buy, I collaborated closely with the sales team and
interacted extensively with the customers about in-store products. Moreover,
while working on my To-Do List project last semester, I collaborated in a team
of two where I organized regular meetings, delegated tasks, communicated
expectations, assigned action plans, followed up with team makes and ensured
a smooth running of each phase of the project.
 Soft Skills Paragraph Example (2)
Resume
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, UBC Department of Computer Science
• Assisted with the CPSC 121: Models of computation–UBC’s introductory course on
discrete mathematics and circuit logic and worked with a team of 10 other
Teaching Assistants
• Guided over 20 students each during weekly laboratory meetings involving hands-
on learning with circuits on breadboards
• Explained concepts patiently and attempted explanations from different
approaches until the student reached comprehension

Cover Letter
As a Teaching Assistant with the UBC Department of Computer Science, I worked
effectively with a team of 10 Teaching Assistants for the first year Models of
Computation course. We shared best practices on how to support over 150 students
learn concepts, coordinated lab meetings and marked exams. The role was extremely
fulfilling because we worked seamlessly together and I got to see the “lightbulb
moments” in students’ brains throughout the term.
 4. Closing Paragraph
PURPOSE: CALL TO ACTION. ASK FOR AN INTERVIEW

• Connect with you: include Co-op’s and your contact method

• Typical closing: “Best regards,”, “Sincerely,” or “Kind regards,”

• Signature? Type out your name or insert an image of your

signature, if you would like

• Do not include new facts about your qualifications

Tip: If you mention the company name in last paragraph,

remember to update it when you reuse the paragraph
Writing and Editing Tips
You still need the human eyes and brain
 Be Specific
• Vague: I don’t know much about HTML except making a personal website
Revised: In two weeks, I learned HTML and CSS on my own and created a 20-page
responsive personal website.

• Vague: I worked with TELUS this summer and they were quite impressed with me
Revised: While working for TELUS this past summer, I successfully completed a
component of a database inventory system which is now being used by customer
service representatives.

• Vague: I’ve both worked in teams and on my own, and prefer to work on my own
Revised: I work well in teams and independently. While working at Subway, I
worked closely in a team of four people in a fast-paced environment with
demanding customers. I have developed better communication skills with customers
and co-workers through this experience.
 Be Unique
• Customize and be relevant to the job posting is the key
• Highlight 2-3 key technical skills applicable to the position
o Avoid chronological description of the entire project – focus on the
aspects of your project relevant to this job
o Potential key things: design, bugs, extra miles
• Show your personality – through your writing style and
presentation of the content
 Where To Begin?
Try this method:
Type of Skill + Concrete example + Supporting information = Sentence

Jot down the information and then write your sentences!

 How To Write Cover Letters Faster?
• Prepare a short paragraph of 3-5 sentences on the typical
technical skills such as:
o Java
o C/C++
o Python
o Web development: Android, iOS
o Database (SQL)
o Testing

• Put these short paragraphs together according the specific

requirements of the job description. Make sure they flow
smoothly.
 GenAI & Cover Letter Writing
GenAI Strengths:
• Can create a good starting point
• It does well with adding persuasive
elements and transition words and phrases

GenAI Weaknesses:
• Can mention unnecessary details (dates)
• Too repetitive of resume content; cover
letters should not just say all the same
points but in more words
• Can be wordy and rely too heavily on
overuse of adjectives (e.g. “robust”)
• Not unique; offers the same or similar
sentences for all users, which recruiters may
notice
 “Do…”
• Be concise and to the point; keep to 1-page maximum
• Use “key words” from the job posting
• Always use concrete examples to demonstrate your skills
• Include 4 paragraphs MAXIMUM
o May include two technical paragraphs (only if needed)
• Use 11+ font size and same font/formatting as your resume
• Be consistent throughout
o “fast-paced” vs “fast paced”; “front end” vs
“frontend” vs “front-end”
o Spell out numbers one through nine and use numerals
for numbers 10 and greater.

Proofread and check for grammar and spelling!!

 “Do Not…”
• Copy what is exactly on your resume
• Start a sentence with
o “I don’t have this but” or
o “I only have …”
• Include negative information
• Overuse “I think, ”“I believe,” “I had to”
• Start each sentence with “I”
• Rely fully on AI to write your document
 Editing
• Your spell checker doesn’t catch everything (underlined is the
correct one):
o JSON vs JASON
o jUnit vs Junit vs JUnit (teach your spell checker NOT to auto-correct)
o Typescript vs TypeScript
o Javascript vs JavaScript
o MatLab vs Mathlab
o Perl vs Pearl
o Quite vs quit/quiet
o Fourth vs Forth Year
o University of British Columbia vs Colombia
• Always triple check or have someone else check it for you!
 What’s Next?

Bring your questions to the live Zoom

session for discussion!