How to Write a Canadian Cover Letter That Gets You Hired (With Full Written Example)
Make a good impression on your recruiters by writing a Canadian cover letter that shows up clearly and professionally.
More often than not, we believe cover letters have (or should have) the same format everywhere. But that ideology couldn’t be more wrong.
I used to think that, too. Just follow the same structure: "Dear Sir or Madam, I’m passionate about your company…" The noticeable effect was me wondering why my inbox stayed dry, no replies, no interviews, just silence.
It wasn’t until a friend of mine, someone who had landed a remote role with a Canadian firm, pointed it out. He said, “Your cover letter sounds good, but it’s not what Canadian employers look for.”
That was a lightbulb moment.
Once he pointed it out, I realized, that some of the words and phrases I was using in my cover letters, the kind that might work in a U.S. context like “I’ve dreamed of working at a company like yours” or “I’m excited to bring my energy and passion to your team,” just didn’t land the same way with Canadian employers.
In fact, that kind of language can come off as too emotional or overly eager.
So, if you're applying to a Canadian company, here’s the thing: even though Canadian and U.S. cover letters share a basic structure, the tone and content expectations are slightly different.
David Adubiina
Let’s break it down.
The Key Differences: Canadian vs U.S. Cover Letters
Canadian cover letters are generally more straightforward, formal, and focused on qualifications. Employers want to see that you’ve read the job post, you meet the requirements, and you’re capable of communicating that clearly and professionally.
U.S. cover letters, on the other hand, are more flexible. Some companies appreciate storytelling, enthusiasm, and personality in your writing, as long as it’s relevant. It’s not unusual to see phrases like “ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved solving problems,” especially in creative or startup environments.
But in a Canadian cover letter? That won't do. You’re better off saying something like:
"With 3+ years of experience in data analysis and a strong background in SQL and Python, I’m confident in my ability to contribute to your team’s reporting and analytics goals."
Less emotion, more precision.
So, What Does a Canadian Cover Letter Actually Look Like?
Now that we know what not to do, let’s talk about what works.
A strong Canadian cover letter doesn’t need to be flashy. It just needs to do a few things really well:
- Show you understand what the company needs
- Prove that you have the skills to help them
- Communicate it all professionally, in a clean and skimmable format
Think of it like a handshake that shows confidence and is straight to the point.
1. The Header
This part is pretty standard, but it sets the tone. Keep it clean and easy to read. Here’s how it should look:
John Doe
123 Maple Street, Toronto.
John.doe@email.com | (416) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/johndoe
May 20, 2025
Hiring Manager
NorthernEdge Tech
Toronto, ON
If you don’t live in Canada yet, that’s fine. Just make sure your contact details are professional and complete.
2. The Greeting
Whenever possible, address it to a person. That shows you’ve done a bit of homework. But if you genuinely can’t find a name (and don’t guess), use:
Dear Hiring Manager,
Avoid “To Whom It May Concern,” it’s outdated and too cold.
3. The Opening Paragraph
Start strong. State what role you're applying for and, without over-explaining, give a sense of why you're qualified.
Let’s say you’re applying for a marketing role. Here’s a good Canadian-style opening:
I’m writing to apply for the Digital Marketing Coordinator position at NorthernEdge Tech. With over three years of experience managing multi-channel campaigns and analyzing engagement data, I’m confident in my ability to drive results aligned with your team’s growth objectives.
See how it’s clear, confident, and directly aligned with the job description? No fluff. No oversharing. Just “Here’s what I can do for you.”
4. The Body Paragraph(s)
This is where you connect the dots between your experience and what they’re looking for. Use the job posting like a checklist. Show them you’ve done this work before.
You can write this as a short paragraph or as bullet points—whatever keeps it clean and scannable.
Here’s a paragraph-style example:
In my current role at DigiPro Agency, I manage social media campaigns that have increased client engagement by over 45% in under six months. I’ve led content strategy, designed performance dashboards, and collaborated with designers and developers to launch integrated marketing efforts that consistently meet KPIs.
Or, if you prefer bullet points:
Highlights from my recent role include:
- Increased Instagram reach by 120% through targeted content and paid ads.
- Launched an email campaign that improved open rates by 25%.
- Built dashboards in Google Data Studio to track campaign ROI across platforms.
Whatever format you choose, keep it focused on results. Canadian employers appreciate outcomes over opinions.
5. The Closing Paragraph
Here, you want to make a graceful exit, no begging, no rambling.
I’d welcome the opportunity to bring my skills to NorthernEdge Tech and contribute to your marketing goals. Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you further.
Then sign off with:
Sincerely,
John Doe
Sample Canadian Cover Letter (Download in PDF)
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you want to make a good impression on your recruiters by writing a Canadian cover letter that shows up clearly and professionally.
You want the person reading it to think: “This applicant understands what we need, and they’ve done this before.” That’s it.
So, write like someone who knows their value. Be direct. Keep it relevant and short. And always remember to tailor it to the job you’re applying for.
