Simply put, a cover letter is an introduction to your resume. It is the personalized document that accompanies the less personalized, bulleted form document that highlights your qualifications. Many employers request that applicants submit a cover letter. This becomes even more important further up the career ladder, as well as in positions that require excellent writing skills. The cover letter should not be mistaken for a rewrite of your resume in letter form. A less than presentable cover letter will lessen the chances of your resume being read. The following are helpful tips that should be used when developing your cover letter.
DO.....
• Address the letter to the correct person and make sure that names are spelled correctly. If you are responding to a blind ad in which the company or contact is not listed, then it is ok to put "To Whom It May Concern."
• Tailor your letter to show how you match up with the description of the job you are applying for.
• Include information you know about the position you are applying for and/or the company.
• Ensure that your letter is like a good novel in which the first few lines determine whether or not the reader will continue reading the book. You must GRAB THE READER'S ATTENTION!
• Include information that strongly supports information that you have stated in your resume.
• Reiterate how you will be of value to your potential employer. The key is to emphasize what you have to offer instead of what you require from the company.
• Be conversational and honest. Steer away from grand words and phrases that you would not usually use in a conversation. In other words, sound genuine. While you should not be too formal, you also do not want to sound too familiar. Use your creativity.
• Express your desire for the job and tie in your desire with your qualifications. Emphasize your most note-worthy relevant achievements and career successes.
• Let them know that you want to meet. Include contact information where you can be reached at to schedule an interview. It is not wise to use your current company's e-mail address or phone number.
• Use the same stationery that you used for your resume to show your style, balance, continuity, and coordination if using a hard copy
• Sign your letter.
• PROOFREAD YOUR LETTER. There should be no spelling errors. Remember the spell check feature on your computer will not pick up words that are correct but are used out of context. Have another set of eyes to read your letter. How embarrassing to submit a letter with your own name misspelled.
DON'T...
• Use a one size fit all letter for all the positions you will be applying for. Even if you have one cover letter, you must be able to make adjustments to tailor it to each position.
• Write monotonous run-on sentences that will bore the reader to death.
• Hand-write your cover letter. Make sure it is typed.
• Include personal information such as religion, race, marital status, or age.
• Include a picture unless the industry requires one.
• Sound desperate like you are begging for the job.
• Include information that does not pertain to the job such as videos or posters.
• Rewrite your resume
Job seekers sometimes wonder whether or not they need to use a cover letter at all. A cover letter should accompany each resume that you submit. Submitting a cover letter differentiates you from the other candidate who has not done so. It puts you in the unique position ahead of your competitor. Remember, the resume by itself does not convey your level of enthusiasm for the job. Your cover letter can create just the tone you need to make that homerun with the hiring manager.
Copyright 2006 - Claudia A. Samuels Newton
