how to find research assistant jobs in canada

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Job description research assistant, university in canada, description.

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Find out what work is like for a research assistant, university in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Post-secondary teaching and research assistants (NOC 41201).

Post-secondary teaching and research assistants

Post-secondary teaching and research assistants assist university professors, community college and CEGEP teachers and other faculty members in teaching and research activities at universities and colleges.

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Post-secondary teaching and research assistants have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

• Post-secondary teaching assistants
• Organize reference materials, visual aids and other materials as required by university professors or college teachers for lectures
• Conduct seminars, discussion groups and laboratory sessions to supplement lectures
• Assist in the preparation and administration of examinations
• Grade examinations, term papers and laboratory reports.
• Research assistants
• Conduct literature reviews, surveys, laboratory experiments and other research for use in scholarly publications
• Compile research results and assist professors in the analysis of results and the preparation of journal articles or papers.

Physical demands

Work environment, physical proximity from others, related job titles.

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 41201), and a list of similar occupations:

• college laboratory assistant
• college teaching assistant
• graduate assistant - university
• post-secondary research assistant
• university research assistant

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations.

• Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
• Other instructors

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

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100 Research assistant jobs

Find available research assistant jobs here. To have research assistant jobs sent to you the day they're posted, sign up for job alerts.

• Research assistant positions in Belgium (23)
• Research assistant positions in Italy (22)
• Research assistant positions in Austria (14)
• Research assistant positions in Germany (11)
• Research assistant positions in Switzerland (10)
• Research assistant positions in Sweden (6)
• Research assistant positions in Luxembourg (6)
• Research assistant positions in Netherlands (2)
• Research assistant positions in South Korea (2)
• Research assistant positions in Norway (1)

Main fields

• Research assistant positions in Engineering (53)
• Research assistant positions in Biology (26)
• Research assistant positions in Computer Science (26)
• Research assistant positions in Physics (25)
• Research assistant positions in Chemistry (22)
• Research assistant positions in Business and Economics (12)
• Research assistant positions in Mathematics (9)
• Research assistant positions in Medicine (7)
• Research assistant positions in Psychology (6)
• Research assistant positions in Social Science (6)

Search results (100)

Postdoctoral Researcher / Scientific Assistant in Life Cycle Assessment for Circular Engineering for Architecture

Postdoctoral Researcher / Scientific Assistant in Life Cycle Assessment for Circular Engineering for ArchitectureETH Zurich’s Department of Civil, Environment and Geomatic Engineering seeks a highl...

PhD Candidate for Computational Approaches for Studying Animal Behavior, Personality, and Emotions

About our Campus: Rehovot Campus (Rehovot) and Mt. Scopus Campus (Jerusalem). The position will be based across two campuses: The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment on The Hebrew University’s beautiful Rehovot Campus. Reh...

Research Assistant in AI for Quality Assurance in Manufacturing

School of Engineering at Jönköping University (JTH) is seeking an exceptional Research Assistant to join a cutting-edge project focused on developing innovative AI-based solutions for automated qua...

Entry-level position for Technical / Scientific Staff at the Imaging Core Facility (IMCF) of the Biozentrum, University of Basel

How does life emerge from molecules and cells? This is the central question that motivates us. With curiosity and passion, we investigate the entire spectrum ranging from the atom to the organism. ...

Scientific Assistant in Machine Learning for Healthcare

Scientific Assistant in Machine Learning for HealthcareThe Biomedical Data Science Lab (BMDS), headed by Prof. Catherine Jutzeler, is looking for a highly motivated and skilled Scientific Assistant...

Research / Student Assistant in the International Political Economy and Environmental Politics group

Research / Student Assistant in the International Political Economy and Environmental Politics groupThe International Political Economy and Environmental Politics group is looking for a Research As...

Full-time research and teaching assistant position in chemistry - Faculty of sciences

Reference : 2024/S243Application deadline: 27/06/2024 Start date : 01/10/2024Job DescriptionThis position is intended for candidates wishing to undertake a PhD in Science in the field of chemistry. The work includes two aspects: a research activit...

Assistant department Animal sciences and aquatic ecology (27295)

    →   Apply until 23/07/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels time)    →   Faculty of Bioscience Engineering    →   Department BW22 -Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology    →   AAP temporary appointment - 100%    →   Number of openings: 1    →   Refe...

Assistant department Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling (27298)

    →   Apply until 25/06/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels time)    →   Faculty of Bioscience Engineering    →   Department BW26 - Data analysis and mathematical modelling    →   AAP temporary appointment - 100%    →   Number of openings: 1    → ...

Reference : 2024/S244Application deadline: 27/06/2024 Start date : 01/10/2024Job DescriptionThis position is intended for candidates wishing to undertake a PhD in Science in the field of chemistry. The work includes two aspects: a research activit...

Research Assistant in liquid biopsy development

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of seven departments within which both research and teaching are conducted. The department is invo...

Junior engineer specialized in optical metrology

SOLEIL is the French national synchrotron facility, located on the Saclay Plateau near Paris. It is a multi-disciplinary instrument and research laboratory whose mission is to conduct research using synchrotron radiation, to develop cutting edge i...

Three 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Zukunftskolleg

(Fulltime, E 13 TV-L)Reference No: 2024/114. The preferred start date is April 1st, 2025. Conditionally on the submission of an external grant, the position can be extended for an additional year. In principle, the position can be divided into two...

Research assistant (f/m/x) (WHB) Wiss2405-24 | Chair of Energy Economics and Assistant Professorship of Energy Market Design | Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences

Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences Research assistant (f/m/x) (WHB) Chair of Energy Economics and Assistant Professorship of Energy Market Design We are one of the largest and old...

Junior Scientist - Quantum sensing (f/m/d)

YOUR FUTURE RESPONSIBILITIESBringing together applied science and industry, SAL offers research in the areas of Sensor Systems, Intelligent Wireless Systems, Power Electronics and Embedded Systems. The position will be located within the Sensor Sy...

Scientific Researcher (27290)

→  Apply before 01/07/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)→  Faculty of Engineering and Architecture→  Department: EA15 - Civiele Techniek→  Occupancy rate: 100%→  Number of positions: 1→  Type of employment: Contract of limited duration→  Term...

Research Assistant on Law and Human Vulnerability in Social Media 0,8 - 1,0 fte

Vacancy number 14928Job type Academic staffHours (in fte) 0,8-1,0External/ internal Internal, ExternalLocation LeidenPlaced on 4 June 2024Closing date 30 June 2024 25 more days to applyResearch Assistant on Law and Human Vulnerability in Social Me...

Master Thesis – Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics (f/m/d)

YOUR FUTURE RESPONSIBILITIESFollowing research topics are at this moment open and subject to be incorporated into several master thesis. A master thesis may incorporate more than one listed topics to a full thesis. For your application please refe...

EEG measures of cochlear implant listener performance

The research group of Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Dept. Neurosciences is part of the University of Leuven. Leuven is located in the center of Belgium, in the heart of Europe. The main researc...

Research Assistant on Biodegradable Tubeless Sealant

Research Assistant on Biodegradable Tubeless SealantThe Department of Materials at ETH Zurich is looking for a research assistant to work for 48 months on an Innosuisse-funded project aimed at deve...

Research and Development Specialist in Law

The Department of Law of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance of the University of Luxembourg is looking for a Research and Development specialist to support in evaluation and accreditation pr...

Patent Information Officer

Master in physics, electronics and/or electrical engineering with an interest in a variety of technologies using your scientific background to find relevant patents.Working in imec’s patent group is an excellent opportunity for a Patent Informatio...

Master Thesis - Experimental characterization of high-frequency acoustic MEMS resonators (f/m/d)

YOUR FUTURE RESPONSIBILITIESThe performance of Radio Frequency filters used for telecommunication purposes mainly depends on the frequency response curve of their building blocks, acoustic MEMS resonators. SAL is working with new types of piezoele...

Research & Development specialist for 5G NTN Physical Layer Design

(Valid from 30/01/2024 to 31/07/2024)   Language: English (UK) Country: Luxembourg   Organisation data: Interdisciplinary Centre of Security, Reliability and Trust Job Number: UOL06220 Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration 24 Month Schedule ...

Full-time research and teaching position in physics

Job descriptionThis post is intended for candidates wishing to do a PhD in Physical Sciences.The work is twofold: on the one hand, a research activity in Physics, and on the other, the supervision of practical work and exercise sessions (approxima...

Researcher in design of innovative modular floating islands

About the positionA fixed-term 100% position as researcher is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a Researcher in Structural Engineering, affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of...

Research Associate (f/m/d)

Research assistant in biobanking and archiving, hour basis.

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? We offer a position in our Protein science team under the supervision of Opher Gileadi. Our research team works with a variety of biologic...

Animal care technician

(Valid from 10/02/2024 to 30/06/2024)   Language: English (UK) Location Belval Country: Luxembourg   Organisation data: LCSB Job Number: UOL06101 Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration 12 Month Schedule Type: Part Time Work Hours  Hours per W...

Research & Development Specialist in Software Debugging and Maintenance

(Valid from 13/02/2024 to 31/08/2024)   Language: English (UK) Country: Luxembourg   Organisation data: Interdisciplinary Centre of Security, Reliability and Trust Job Number: UOL06258 Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration 12 Month Schedule ...

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Work permit: How to apply

From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• 1. About the process
• 2. Who can apply
• 3. How to apply
• 4. After you apply
• 5. Prepare for arrival
• 6. When you start working

How to apply

You need to apply online for a work permit. Answer a few questions to find out how to apply.

Where are you applying from?

• outside Canada

Do any of these situations describe you?

You can apply from inside Canada if one of these applies:

• You’re a Ukrainian national or an accompanying family member of a Ukrainian national.
• You have a valid study or work permit.
• Your spouse, common-law partner or parent has a valid study or work permit.
• You’re eligible for a post-graduation work permit and your study permit is still valid.
• You or your spouse, common-law partner or parent has a temporary resident permit that is valid for 6 months or more.
• spouse and common-law partner in Canada class or overseas family class
• temporary resident permit holder class
• You made or will make a claim for refugee protection.
• You’ve been recognized as a Convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
• You’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit , but you need a work permit to work in a different job (this does not apply to business visitors ).
• You’re a trader, investor, intra-company transferee or professional under the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) .

Are you a Ukrainian national or an accompanying family member of a Ukrainian national?

Select the option that best describes you:

• My work permit has expired, and I have no status in Canada.
• I’m a visitor in Canada.

Do you need a visitor visa to come to Canada?

• I don’t know

Ukraine – Apply for an open work permit

As a Ukrainian national, you can apply for an open work permit.

How to apply for an open work permit

Outside Canada: Apply from outside Canada

To get the forms you need, tell us how you’re applying and where you’re applying from.

Priority processing for work permit applicants

We’re prioritizing certain work permit applications.

If your occupation is not on the lists below, we’ll still process your application. However, it may take longer than it normally would.

People who perform or support essential services

We’re prioritizing the applications of people who  perform or support essential services .

When you fill out the work permit application form

To get priority processing, follow these steps:

• offer of employment  or
• labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
• This is box 4 in the  Details of intended work in Canada  section.
• You must enter only the number .

On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the NOC system.

If you apply for a work permit on or after November 16, 2022, make sure you use the NOC 2021 codes .

Eligible occupations that perform or support essential services

Agriculture and agri-food occupations

NOC 2021 codes

• Butchers – retail and wholesale (NOC 63201)
• Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale (NOC 65202)
• Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030)
• Livestock labourers (NOC 85100)
• Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120)
• Harvesting labourers (NOC 85101)
• Nursery and greenhouse labourers (NOC 85103)
• Fish and seafood plant workers (NOC 94142)
• Labourers in food and beverage processing (NOC 95106)
• Labourers in fish and seafood processing (NOC 95107)
• Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers (NOC 94141)

Health-care occupations

• Nursing coordinators and supervisors (NOC 31300)
• Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301)
• Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
• Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)
• Police investigators and other investigative occupations (NOC 41310)
• General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
• Nurse practitioners (NOC 31302)
• Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals (NOC 31303)
• Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 32103)
• Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (NOC 31209)
• Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
• Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120)
• Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (NOC 33101)
• Medical radiation technologists (NOC 32121)
• Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (NOC 32123)
• Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101)
• Paramedical occupations (NOC 32102)
• Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102)

Get the application to work in Canada

Apply online from inside Canada

Step 1: make sure you have what you need.

To apply online, you’ll need:

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and
• a valid credit or debit card

You can submit a paper application if either

• you can’t apply online because of a disability
• In some cases, you may be able to apply online if you follow special instructions.

What to do if you have problems applying online

Step 2: Read the instruction guide

Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application .

We’re prioritizing the applications of people who perform or support essential services .

• offer of employment or
• This is box 4 in the Details of intended work in Canada section.
• Home child care providers (LMIA-required in-Canada applicants) (NOC 44100)
• Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations (LMIA-required in-Canada applicants) (NOC 44101)

Step 3: Prepare your answers for the online tool

Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.

Step 4: Know the fees you have to pay

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application

We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application.

Fees for open work permits

If you’re applying for an open work permit, make sure you pay all applicable fees:

• work permit fee ($155)
• open work permit holder fee ($100)

Step 5: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:

• pay your fees
• submit your application
• check your status

Inside Canada – Not eligible: Apply online under a public policy

Normally, visitors can’t apply for work permits from inside Canada. Due to a temporary policy change, visitors can apply online for an  employer-specific work permit  by following the steps below.

Who’s eligible

• You must stay in Canada while we process your application. If you leave while your application is being processed, you won’t be eligible under this public policy.
• Applications submitted before or after these dates are not eligible.
• If your visitor status has expired, you’ll need to restore your visitor status before you apply for a work permit.

Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) holders are also eligible for this public policy.

If you held a work permit in the last 12 months

You may be able to work while we process your application. Find out how .

If you’re a visitor in Canada, you’re not eligible to apply for work permit with a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) to work as a caregiver in either of the following National Occupational Classifications (NOC):

• NOC 44100 (Home child care providers)
• NOC 44101 (Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations)

You can find your NOC on your LMIA.

To apply online, you’ll need

• a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents

You should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.

Step 3: Know the fees you have to pay

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.

Step 4: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to

• submit your application forms

How to start your application

Once you sign in to your account, you’ll need to

• go to the “Start your application” section on the account welcome page
• click “Apply to come to Canada”
• on the next page, scroll down to the “I do not have a personal reference code” section
• click on the “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” button

Get your document checklist

You must answer some questions. Make sure you answer these questions correctly:

• Either less than or more than 6 months
• Your current immigration status is as a visitor
• When asked “Are you applying under the Canada–USA–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) or under a Public Policy related to work permits as announced by IRCC for an employer specific work permit?”, answer “yes”

We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.

If you can’t apply online

• there’s a problem with the online application

What to do if you can’t apply online

My work permit has expired, and I have no status in Canada : Apply to restore your status as a worker

If your work permit has expired, you need to apply to restore your status as a worker.

How to restore your status as a worker

Port of entry – Visa required

You can’t apply for a work permit at a port of entry. You need to follow the instructions for applying for a work permit from outside Canada.

Apply for a work permit from outside Canada

Port of entry – Visa not required

How to apply at a port of entry

Port of entry – I don’t know if I need a visa

If you’re not sure, you can answer a few questions to find out if you need a visitor visa or an eTA to travel to Canada.

Find out if you need a visa

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

• Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
• Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept credit cards and prepaid cards from:

• MasterCard ®
• American Express ®
• UnionPay ®  (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for  at least  18 months after you pay to make refunds easier.  Find more on prepaid cards .

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.The card you use doesn't have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

• be from a Canadian bank using  INTERAC ®  Online , and
• be registered for online banking through your bank’s website.

We also accept all Debit MasterCard ®  and Visa ®  Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC ®  Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

The card you use does not have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Page details

Average Virtual Assistant Hourly Pay

The average hourly pay for a Virtual Assistant is $17.99 in 2024

Featured Content

What is the pay by experience level for virtual assistants .

An entry-level Virtual Assistant with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $15.56 based on 70 salaries. An early career Virtual Assistant with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $17.47 based on 231 salaries. A …Read more

What Do Virtual Assistants Do?

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential to be a virtual assistant. Critical-thinking, problem-solving, and previous customer service experience are beneficial, as well.

An extensive vocabulary, good diction, and pleasant speaking voice are necessities, since the most common responsibilities involve placing calls on behalf of the company, such as calls to customers for scheduling purposes or to vendors to arrange deliveries and pick up packages. Those in this position …Read more

• Make appointments, arrange for advertisement, and provide basic customer service activities online.

How do Virtual Assistants Rate Their Jobs?

Common health benefits for a virtual assistant, gender breakdown for virtual assistants.

FAQs About Virtual Assistants

What is the highest pay for virtual assistants.

Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Virtual Assistant is $28.54 / hour

What is the lowest pay for Virtual Assistants?

Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Virtual Assistant is $11.54 / hour

How can Virtual Assistants increase their salary?

Increasing your pay as a Virtual Assistant is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Virtual Assistant that oversees more junior Virtual Assistants, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.

Jobscan > Cover Letter Writing Guide

How To Write A Cover Letter in 2024 (Expert Tips and Examples)

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter that will get you noticed by recruiters.

Trusted by:

A survey revealed that 77% of recruiters prefer candidates who send in a cover letter, even if submitting it is optional. Additionally, 90% of executives consider cover letters invaluable when assessing job candidates.

So, if you think cover letters are no longer important and necessary in 2024, think again.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you write a cover letter that effectively sells your skills and professional experience, increases your chances of getting interviews, and gets your foot in the door.

Table of Contents

What is a cover letter and do you still need one in 2024?

A cover letter is a letter of introduction accompanying your resume that paints why you are the best person for the job, what you bring to the table, and how you can help move the company forward.

Is the cover letter dead? No! In fact, a recent study by ResumeLab revealed that 64% of job vacancies still require that you include a cover letter in your application and 83% of HR pros said that cover letters are important for their hiring decision.

The bottom line is that a cover letter is still a valuable piece of your job search collateral. Nail your cover letter and you could end up getting that dream job.

So what exactly do you need to accomplish in your cover letter?

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

According to 49% of HR managers , your cover letter is the second best way to call attention to your resume and distinguish yourself from other applicants.

So the main purpose of your cover letter is to compel the recruiter to read more about you on your resume and move you to the next part of the hiring process.

Further, according to award-winning resume expert Melanie Denny , your cover letter is your value proposition letter. It proves why you are the best candidate to address the company’s needs with the professional skills and qualifications to succeed in the job.

Here’s an example of a great cover letter:

Now let’s get into the details of what your cover letter needs to include.

Cover Letter Structure Checklist

Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to include in your cover letter.

• Contact Details Name Address (or City, State with zip code) Phone number Email address
• Greeting Whenever possible, address the hiring manager by name.
• Opening Who are you? What are your relevant skills and accomplishments?
• Body (1-2 paragraphs) What do you know about the company? Why are you applying for this job? What value can you bring to the company? Include measurable results when possible.
• Closing Reiterate your interest. Add a Call to Action. Mention any attachments. Use a professional sign-off like “Best” or “Sincerely” before your full name.

Here’s an example for the visual learners out there:

Now that you know the basics of what to include in your cover letter, let’s go through the process from start to finish to see how you can write a cover letter that will make you stand out from the rest of the candidates.

How to write a cover letter in 9 steps

It can be intimidating to try to parse down all your best qualities into a few quick paragraphs for your cover letter.

Here are 9 steps you can take to make sure you’re headed in the right direction:

Step 1. Do your research

Before writing your cover letter, thoroughly read the job description and the requirements for the job.

Melanie Denny , award-winning resume expert, likens the job description to your cover letter cheat sheet. And when checking the job description, she says you need to consider the following:

• What are the company’s priorities?
• What are their goals for the role?
• What outcomes and accomplishments in your previous roles match the goals?
• What are the key phrases and verbiage the company uses?

This will help you customize your cover letter, angle yourself and your narrative to fit the role better, and impress the hiring manager.

Try reaching out to the recruiter, hiring manager, or someone working in the company if you want more in-depth information about the company and the position you are applying for.

Step 2. Customize your cover letter for every job

Make sure your cover letter matches the job you are applying for. Writing a generic cover letter is a missed opportunity as this will not appeal to the recruiter or hiring manager. According to research from ResumeGo , 81% of HR professionals value job-specific cover letters over generic ones. Jobseekers who had tailored cover letters received a 53% higher callback rate compared to those who had no cover letter.

Remember, your cover letter is your chance to prove that you are passionate about working for a given company, so take the time to write a tailored cover letter for each position . You can do this by mentioning your skills and experience that are directly related to what’s mentioned in the job description. If you’re applying for a data analyst role that requires expertise in Microsoft Power BI, cite an example of a Power BI dashboard you built and how it helped the company.

Read our full guide: How to Optimize Your Cover Letter

Step 3. Include all of your contact info

You should make it easy for the hiring manager to reach you. In your cover letter, list these three things:

• Address (including zip code– for ATS purposes )
• Phone number with area code
• Email address
• Name of the Hiring Manager
• Name of the Company
• Address of the Company

Traditionally, your contact information is included in the upper left corner of your cover letter if you’re writing in a document. If you’re writing an email, this can be included beneath your signature at the end of the message.

Cover Letter Header Example:

Jane Jobscan Seattle, WA 98101 (555) 555-5555 • [email protected] linkedin.com/in/jane-jobscan

February 25, 2024

Lavinia Smith Hiring Manager Media Raven, Inc. Plantersville, MS 38862

Step 4. Address your cover letter to a real person

According to Melanie Denny, resume expert and President of Resume-Evolution, addressing your cover letter to a real person and addressing them by their name feels more personal and shows recruiters and hiring managers that you took time and did the research.

You can usually find the hiring manager’s name by searching the company website or LinkedIn profile, or by calling the company and asking which hiring manager is assigned to the particular position.

Once you learn the name, a simple greeting of “John” or “Hello John” is all you need.

If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, you can use any of the following:

• Dear Hiring Manager
• Dear (Department) Team
• To whom it may concern

Read our full guide: How to Address a Cover Letter

Step 5. Write a strong opening statement

Melanie Denny suggests that you start your cover letter with a bang. This will hook the hiring manager’s interest and show them how you can be a valuable addition to the team.

Here are things you can do:

• Open with a thought-provoking question
• Make a big claim about what you can do for the company
• Say something relevant and specific to the company

For example,

“I want to bring the marketing department of Media Raven Inc. to the next level and help the company exceed goals and reach more customers as Marketing Manager.”

Step 6. Prove how your professional background and skills help the company in the body of your cover letter

Take advantage of this real estate and prove to the prospective employer how your background, values, and professional experiences position you as the best fit for what the role requires.

This is especially important if you are switching careers. Highlight your relevant accomplishments in your cover letter, showcase your transferable skills, and explain how you can help the company address its challenges and succeed.

For example:

“As the Director of Marketing at ABC Company since 2018, I directed all phases of both the creative and technical elements of marketing initiatives, including data mining, brand creation, print/web collateral development, lead generation, channel partner cultivation, customer segmentation/profiling, as well as CRM and acquisition strategies.

Perhaps most importantly, I offer a history of proven results, as evidenced by the following marketing accomplishments for my current employer:

• Captured a 28% expansion in customer base since 2018, achieved during a period of overall decline in the retail industry.
• Led national marketing campaign (comprised of trade shows, media, and PR initiatives) for my company’s newly launched technology services division
• Developed and executed SEO strategy that achieved and sustained top 3 rankings on Google (organic, nonpaid results) for key product search terms.
• Oversaw the creation of a new company logo and rebranded 100+ products to cement a cohesive corporate identity and support new company direction.”

Just like when writing a resume, your cover letter should only include the most relevant and positive information about you. To home in on the right skills and qualifications to mention, try scanning your cover letter .

Read our full guide: What Do You Put in a Cover Letter?

Step 7. Write a strong closing statement and a call to action

Use the closing of your cover letter to:

• Thank the hiring manager for their time
• Mention any attachments (resume, portfolio, samples)
• Invite to schedule an interview
• Let the hiring manager know that you will follow up

Keep the closing professional and try not to sound too eager since that can come off as desperate. You must also keep in mind the tone and personality of the company you’re communicating with.

“Given the opportunity, I’m confident I can achieve similar groundbreaking marketing results for Media Raven, Inc.

Ms. Smith, I would welcome the chance to discuss your marketing objectives and how I can help you attain them. Feel free to call me at (555) 555-5555 or email me at [email protected] to arrange a meeting. I look forward to speaking with you.”

Read our full guide: How to End a Cover Letter With a Call to Action

Step 8. End with a professional closing salutation

To finish out the closing , use a formal signature. You can use “Sincerely,” “Best,” “Regards,” “Yours,” or any other professional signoff.

Use your first and last name as your signature. If you’re sending your cover letter in the body of an email, make sure it’s your personal email account that does not list your current work signature beneath the email. Your other option is to write the cover letter in a word document, save it as a PDF, and attach it to your email.

Step 9. Optimize your cover letter for the ATS

The Applicant Tracking System or the ATS is a software that companies use to screen applications and shrink their pool of applicants. Through the ATS database, a recruiter or hiring manager can just search for specific skills and keywords and the ATS will return a list of the top candidates who match the search criteria.

To optimize your cover letter for ATS, you need to:

• Carefully read the job description
• Take note of skills and resume keywords frequently mentioned
• Incorporate these keywords into your cover letter

Read our full guide: How to Optimize Your Cover Letter to Beat the ATS

Does your cover letter pass the test?

Scan your cover letter to see how well it matches the job you're applying for. Optimize your cover letter and resume with Jobscan to get more interviews.

How to Format Your Cover Letter

A cover letter is a letter, but that doesn’t mean you should just plop everything onto the page in a stream-of-consciousness flow. After all, cover letter formats determine the order in which the hiring manager learns about you, which can significantly influence their first impression. Use the format order below as a guideline for building the structure of your cover letter.

Notice how the topics flow like a conversation? When you first meet someone, you introduce yourself, tell them your name and a little about yourself, and then leave the conversation open for future meetings.

Your cover letter is just a like having a conversation with someone for the first time. Keeping that in mind will help you to keep things simple and focus on the right information.

Below are some examples of how to format your cover letter for different types of applications.

How to format your cover letter for a job

• State your name
• Explain your work history
• Tell them what you can do for their company
• Say goodbye

How to format your cover letter for an internship

• Explain your coursework history and education
• Explain what you can gain professionally

How to format your cover letter with no experience

• Explain your skillset and character qualities that make you well-suited for the role
• Outline entry-level achievements

You can also check out our cover letter templates to help you as you write your own cover letter.

Do you want to save time and receive instant feedback on your cover letter? Check out Jobscan’s cover letter tool .

Read more : How to Write a Resume for Today’s Job Market

Cover Letter Examples

Here are some examples to help you create a cover letter that will make you stand out and give a strong first impression.

1. Internship Cover Letter Example

2. Career Change Cover Letter Example

3. Operations Manager Cover Letter Example

4. Communications Professional Cover Letter Example

5. Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts

Aside from the basic steps of how to write a cover letter, there are some things you definitely need to make sure you avoid – and things you can’t skip! Follow these do’s and don’ts for writing a cover letter, and you’ll end up with a much better result.

• Use a cover letter unless one was requested.
• Attach a cover letter directly to your resume unless requested to do so.
• Use the same boilerplate cover letter for multiple job applications.
• Over-explain your work history, employment gaps, or qualifications – save it for the interview.
• Badmouth any of your past employers.
• Use the cover letter to complain or tell about your job search journey.
• Use non-standard formatting like tables, columns, or graphics. (ATS can’t read those and your cover letter copy might not be scannable by the system.)
• Use long paragraphs.
• Customize a cover letter for every job application that asks for one.
• Incorporate the top skills or keywords from the job description in your cover letter.
• Include the company name and address, the job title, and point of contact’s name on your cover letter.
• Incorporate relevant and compelling measurable results in your cover letter.
• Explain, briefly, any dramatic shifts in a career (i.e. you are changing industries or job titles).
• Use company information to relate your interest in the job.
• Keep your cover letter concise.
• Convey WHY you are right for the position.

More Cover Letter Tips

• When emailing your cover letter, be strategic with your subject line. Never leave the subject line blank, and double-check for specific instructions in the job posting. If possible, use the email subject line to sell yourself. For example: “Experienced Software Engineer Seeks Senior Level Mobile Position.”
• Keep your cover letter brief and to the point. The hiring manager will be reading many cover letters. By carefully selecting your words and experiences to include, you can stand out from the crowd of applicants.
• Be confident. Let the hiring manager know the reasons why you deserve this position, and make yourself believe them too!
• Your cover letter should not be simply a rephrasing of your resume. Let your personality show and go into further detail about your most valuable skills and experiences.
• Do your research on the company and position before writing the cover letter. It should be customized to that specific company’s values and needs. Hiring managers can spot a generic resume from a mile away.
• Use the job posting as your guide for what topics, skills, and experience to focus on.
• The best cover letters include keywords from the job posting. Applicant tracking systems may scan your cover letter along with your resume and will be using these keywords to sort through the applicants.
• Check for spelling and grammar errors.
• Send your cover letter as a PDF to avoid readability issues and to present the most professional application package.
• Scan Your Cover Letter with Jobscan to make sure you’re checking all the boxes.

Optimize Your Cover Letter with Jobscan’s Cover Letter Scanner

In addition to resume scans, Jobscan Premium users can also scan their cover letters against a job description.

This generates a report of the top hard skills and soft skills found in the job description that should be included in your cover letter, plus additional checks for optimal length, contact information, measurable results, and more.

Here’s how it works:

Key Takeaways

Your cover letter gives recruiters, hiring managers, and prospective employers an overview of your professional qualifications and relevant accomplishments that position you as the best candidate for the job.

So you have to make your cover letter powerful and interesting enough to make the recruiter or hiring manager read your resume and move you to the next step of the hiring process.

Here are key pointers when writing your cover letter.

• Make sure you’ve read the job description and done your research about the company.
• Get to know the name of the recruiter or hiring manager so you can address your cover letter properly.
• Include relevant and measurable accomplishments in the body of your cover letter to prove to the hiring manager that you have what it takes to succeed in the job.
• Keep your cover letter short and concise.
• Your cover letter is not a substitute for your resume so don’t just copy and paste whatever is in your resume into your cover letter.

One last important reminder!

Having a strong cover letter is not enough. You also need to create a killer resume to make sure you stand out and land job interviews.

Learn more about writing a cover letter

How to Address a Cover Letter

10 Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

The Career Change Cover Letter: How to Get it Right

What Do You Put in a Cover Letter?

Is Your Cover Letter Robot-Approved?

How to End a Cover Letter with a Call to Action

Frequently asked questions, what are the different types of cover letters.

There are four types of cover letters.

• Application cover letter An application cover letter is what you send to the recruiter or hiring manager along with your resume.
• Prospecting cover letter You send this when you want to inquire prospective employers about open positions in their company or put yourself top-of-mind when they do decide to hire.
• Networking cover letter You will send this to professionals in your network in hopes of getting referrals, introductions, job search advice, and job opportunities.
• Career change cover letter This is what you send when you are switching careers or industries.

What tense should I use when writing a cover letter?

It can be appropriate to change tenses throughout your cover letter.

For example, you can explain who you are in the present tense and explain important aspects of your work history in the past tense. You can switch to future perfect tense when discussing the ways you would perform if given the position.

Think of it like this, “I am ABC, I did XYZ previously, and I look forward to doing EFG in this position.”

What to include in a cover letter

Our cover letter guidelines above explain how to write a cover letter more deeply, but in summary, you should always include your name, relevant work experience, and reasons why you are right for the job in your cover letter.

When not to include a cover letter

• When the job posting clearly states not to include a cover letter
• When you don’t have the time and energy to customize your cover letter. It’s better not to send a cover letter than to send a half-baked and mediocre one.
• When you are applying online and there is no field to upload your cover letter.
• When your cover letter has a lot of typos and errors.

What should you send first: a cover letter or a resume?

Typically, your cover letter and resume will be sent as a pair, but your cover letter is meant to be an introduction to your resume. If it is an email, use the cover letter in the body and attach your resume, otherwise, attach both.

Pro Tip: Be sure to review all instructions in the job description to follow the hiring manager’s requests.

How long should a cover letter be?

According to 70% of recruiters, a cover letter should not exceed 250 to 300 words.

Although there is no hard and fast rule about this, the ideal cover letter length should be around half a page to one full page in length to keep your message concise, clear, and easy to digest.

Should a cover letter be sent as a file attachment?

If it is not specified in the job posting, a cover letter can be sent either as an attachment (PDF is best) or in the body of an application email with your resume attached.

How to share a cover letter with a potential employer

There are several methods of sharing a cover letter with potential employers, depending on their application process.

Cover letters can be written on a document and turned into a PDF to be uploaded to a job application website or attached to an email along with your resume.

In other cases, your cover letter can simply be written in the email message to a hiring manager, with your resume attached.

How to title and save your cover letter

The key in every aspect of job applications is to make yourself an easy “yes” for your potential employer. That means making it easy for the hiring manager to keep track of your application materials for later review. With this in mind, make sure your full name and the phrase “cover letter” are included in the file label. Other helpful details might include the job title you’re applying for or the year of your application.

Here are a few examples:

• Your Name_Cover Letter_Job Title.pdf
• Cover Letter_Your Name_Job Title.pdf
• Job Title_Your Name_Cover Letter.pdf
• Your Name_Cover Letter_2024.pdf
• Cover Letter_Your Name_2024.pdf

Explore more cover letter resources

Cover Letter Formats

ATS-Optimized Cover Letter

Cover Letter Templates

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Say goodbye to the stress of writing a cover letter from scratch. Our AI-powered cover letter generator uses GPT-4 technology to create a personalized and ATS-friendly cover letter in one click. Stand out from the competition and land more job interviews.

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Senior Officer, Environment Program Planning, Strategy

Washington, D.C.

Competitive

Full Time (On-site)

July 5, 2024

Job Overview

Using excellent interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills the senior officer delivers planning support to Pew's environmental work, which currently is comprised of about 15 environmentally-oriented projects and partnerships focused on safeguarding terrestrial and freshwater habitat throughout the world, conserving global marine resources, and addressing key ecosystem threats.

The senior officer will assist the project director in carrying out the team's duties, including providing high-quality consultative guidance with emphasis on ensuring program strategies and plans are rigorous, clear, and innovative. To answer questions that arise as part of planning engagements, the senior officer will take the lead on certain research and analysis activities. The senior officer also will support portfolio teams in developing Annual Reports, which track progress against program objectives, and gleaning insights and lessons learned from annual progress.  Candidates must be presently legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without the need of visa sponsorship. The Strategy Portfolio within Program Pew's program unit consolidates all of the organization's programmatic activities into one department. Program organizes its work into four portfolios: Environment; Government Performance; Philadelphia and Science Advancement; and Strategy. The goal of the strategy portfolio within Program is to inform critical institutional decisions about Pew's programs, strengthen the design and implementation of Pew's work, and generate knowledge that advances Pew's program objectives. We pursue this goal by (1) enhancing the organization's efforts to generate ideas for new initiatives and larger bodies of work; (2) applying a wide range of planning approaches to help programs turn ideas into effective action; (3) using evaluation to improve program performance, inform decision-making, and support learning; (4) working with teams across the institution to help ensure Pew's research meets the organization's expressed standards for quality; (5) ensuring that staff has access to information that meets their needs to design, implement, and manage high-performing strategies, initiatives, and campaigns; and (6) collaborating with colleagues in preparing a wide range of planning and other types of documents for consideration by Pew's board of directors. Planning Pew's planning unit, within strategy, works in partnership with program leadership and staff to identify, develop, and refine high-profile initiatives in line with institutional and programmatic needs and priorities, and to coach and support program teams to strengthen their planning and implementation practices. Specifically, in partnership with and support of program leadership, the unit identifies and explores new public policy and research issues in which Pew might play a role; helps develop and improve program designs, strategies, and initiatives to address these issues; and reviews, informs, and strengthens existing strategies and initiatives to meet new or revised objectives.

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the Strategy portfolio's related goals.
• Support the project director and collaborate with the Environment portfolio and other program teams as needed through an array of planning activities including: 1) identifying and exploring new ideas for possible program development; 2) conducting in-depth topic research in both prospective and current program areas to address knowledge gaps and inform decision-making; 3) supporting development and use of planning tools and frameworks, such as theory of change diagrams, logic models, problem statements; and 4) identifying approaches that could contribute to potential solutions, including technical assistance, policy development, and advocacy. Develop and periodically update work plans, timelines, and scope of work documents that summarize the planning engagements.
• Facilitate project team discussion and problem-solving and assist in solutions-oriented decision-making.
• Pose questions to identify and test underlying assumptions in project design components and provide impartial guidance in line with Pew standards to strengthen the team's approach.
• Undertake a rigorous vetting process to determine the technical, economic, political, and social viability of project design solutions and provide recommendations on the potential role for Pew.
• Assist in translating planning analyses into proposals, including documents intended for Pew's board, by providing guidance on the appropriate content and level of detail, and sharing substantive feedback on drafts.
• Connect the dots across project, portfolio, and program areas to improve organizational coordination, information sharing, and impact.
• Support the annual planning discipline including tracking results and supporting course-correcting when necessary; manage deadlines; and provide, update, and answer questions on guidance to create meaningful progress updates on objectives and milestones that meet Pew's criteria and address programmatic goals.
• Serve as a mentor to, support apprenticeship of, and contribute to professional development of other staff on the planning team in a matrixed team style.
• Lead and participate in activities that support Strategy and Pew-wide objectives.
• Communicate clearly, efficiently, succinctly and persuasively to a range of stakeholders.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships internally and externally.
• Leverage technology and continuously upskill in the use of digital tools, including Microsoft 365, Microsoft Co-pilot, Tableau and other tools to efficiently and effectively manage workflow and impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Advanced degree in public policy, public administration or management, law, strategic planning, or other fields relevant to formulation of programs and initiatives in the social and environmental sectors, or equivalent years of experience, preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more fields of environmental policy, such as protection of biodiversity in the ocean, land and freshwater; sustainable management; conservation finance; climate change response; and other topics related to current Pew work. Demonstrated experience managing and delivering tangible results from complex projects, including significant experience working in interdisciplinary teams.
• Generally requires a minimum of 10 years of experience.
• Professional experience demonstrating leadership and designing, launching, and implementing strategies or projects aimed at informing and advancing effective policy and programs at the local, state, national, or international levels required.
• Knowledge of current social, political, and economic trends, leading thinkers, and major concerns within public policy and society relevant to policy issues in the major geographies and policy fora in which Pew works, including the United States, European Union, Canada, Australia, and South America.
• Knowledge of the types of activities and deliverables associated with the approaches most commonly used in Pew programs, including policy advocacy, technical assistance, research, and partnerships.
• Proven project management skills and knowledge of project management methods.
• Effective research and analytical skills, proficient in organizing diverse and complex information into a clear and coherent narrative.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including to present, write clearly and effectively, convince and persuade, and listen carefully.
• Excellent facilitation skills including skill in quickly synthesizing and framing key themes during meeting discussions and to drive project teams to solutions-oriented decisions.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; works productively with a wide array of stakeholders and perspectives and approach issues with a nonpartisan, objective mindset.

Key attributes and preferred experience

• Consulting experience preferred.
• Strategic and creative thinker who effectively juggles multiple priorities, adjusts to changing circumstances, organizes time efficiently, uses data to inform decisions and recommendations, and identifies resources for projects.
• Resourcefulness in identifying and gathering relevant information and data, including interviewing high-level experts.

Work Environment

Travel Limited, occasional domestic and international travel, including business meetings and conferences, on a highly flexible schedule.

The senior officer reports to the project director, planning - environment and annual planning, is based in Pew's Washington, DC, office and is eligible for up to 60% telework consistent with Pew guidelines.

Total Rewards We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.  

About the Organization

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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