Sharp School
Toronto, ON
M5C 3E4
Attn: Hiring Manager
I am applying for the Proposal Writer position that was posted on your careers website for your Toronto
location.
I was previously working as a Marketing Communication Specialist at Manulife Financial in Kitchener
Waterloo in their life insurance product and marketing group before being laid off due to restructuring.
In that role I created marketing materials, web content, blogs and presentations targeted towards
insurance advisors for individual life insurance products. I am now looking to bring my communications
skills to a different organization within Toronto area.
I think this role would be a perfect match for my skill set, as well as an ideal fit in terms of my personal
experience. I did both my degrees in English Rhetoric and Professional Writing at the University of
Waterloo that developed my writing, editing and presentation skills. My education in rhetoric lends
itself well to writing in diverse styles for different audiences. My professional experience has given me
the opportunity to better understand both a marketing or communications role and a technical
communications role in a large project based environment. As a technical writer I created user guides,
software documentation and done some legal writing. As a marketing communicator I worked on a wide
range of materials from developing social media blogs and web content to printed marketing materials
and advertisements as a copywriter. I feel that my combined experience in academic, technical and
marketing writing would be an asset in this proposal writing role.
I would love the opportunity to work for a newer and smaller company like Sharp School that is focuses
on education. I am a fast learner, have excellent organizational and time management skills and I am
eager to take on new challenges and prove myself in this capacity. Of course I am also happy and willing
to relocate for this opportunity.
Please contact me for references, my transcript and samples of my work.
Thanks for your time,
Joseph Mancuso
J oseph Mancuso
Address : Address : 76 Parkside Dr. Brampton, ON L6Y2G9
Phone (Cell): 905-***-****
E mail: *************@*******.***
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joe mancuso/2b/275/bb7
J OB OBJECTIVE
To find employment in a Writer/editor role that allows me to use and further develop my skills in a new
and challenging environment
EDUCATION
University of Waterloo 2007 – 2009
Master of Arts with Co op Studies
Majoring in English Rhetoric and Communication Design
University of Waterloo 2003 – 2007
Honours Bachelor of Arts
Majoring in English Rhetoric and Professional Writing
SKILLS
Effective public speaking skills gained through a variety of presentations
Excellent team work and interpersonal skills from working on group projects and in team
environments
Exceptional written and oral communication skills
Proven ability to work well under pressure, coping with time constraints while prioritizing and
managing multiple projects.
Proficient with a variety of computer software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite,
xMetal, XML, DITA, SharePoint and Content Management Systems
WORK EXPERIENCE
August 2011 – March 2013
Manulife Financial
Marketing Communications Specialist
Kitchener, Ontario
Developed digital web content, news and printed marketing materials for advisor website.
Working with subject matter experts to create audio presentations in webcast format
Wrote and developed blog content and social media materials for advisor facing website
Coordinated with printers and vendors for creating new printed marketing materials within a
limited budget
Created web advertisements and banner ads for website
March 2010 – August 2011
Manulife Financial
Technical Communications Specialist
Kitchener, Ontario
Created and maintained Business Rules Documentation for internal systems group
Drafted and edited custom policy amendments and exclusions for special and large cases
Provided quality assurance testing for printed client notices, statements and forms
Developed documentation for technical communications team processes
Updated and maintained libraries of historical technical documentation
May 2008 December 2008
AGFA Healthcare
Technical Writer
Waterloo, Ontario
Wrote and edited end user documentation, articles quick references for knowledgebase
websites
Created documentation for local intranet sites
Designed graphics and workflow charts for publications
Gained experience with an XML editor in conjunction with a large ECM database
University of Waterloo January 2008 – April 2008
Teaching Assistant
Waterloo, Ontario
Assisted students for Business Communications undergraduate course
Graded and provided constructive comments for assignments, papers and exams
Answered inquiries and provided guidance for students
Bell Canada May 2006/2007 – August 2006/2007
Central Office Technician
Etobicoke, Ontario
Managed trouble tickets and escalations in different locations
Responsible for six different locations in GTA west district
Worked independently without direct supervision
Citizenship and Immigration Canada May 2004/2005 – August 2004/2005
Record’s Clerk
Mississauga, Ontario
Assisted immigration officers with courtroom proceedings
Performed various tasks such as filing, organization, data input and reception
Worked directly with the public
REFERENCES
References available upon request