Cover letters are about convincing the employer that there is a match between your skills and qualifications, and the employer’s needs. The goal should be to answer the following questions: 

• “What do you want the employer to know about you and your experiences?”;
• “Why do you want to work for this organization and work in this role?”, and 
• “Why should they hire you?”

The cover letter should fit on one page, and should be tailored to each position, employer, and industry you’re applying to. To customize your cover letter, demonstrate knowledge of the organization and relate your skills and experiences to identify how you can help them accomplish their mandates. 

Extra note: Spend some time researching who to address your cover letter. This shows commitment to wanting to go the extra mile, and can help make you stand out from more generic cover letters. 

For a full guide with templates and examples, see McGill’s Cover Letter Guide.