How important is a cover letter? I know resumes get a quick glance, so are cover letters read thoroughly? Or just put on the back burner? Recently, I've noticed that some jobs I apply for online don't even give me room to write a cover letter. How do I write a good cover so that I can be noticed?
A strong cover letter can personalize your application for employment. Remember that the purpose of sending a resume and cover letter is to secure an interview.
Some people think they need to do something catchy to make their cover letter and resume stand out from the many employers receive for each position. Be careful about that; unless you are in advertising or some other creative field, sometimes offbeat, creative, catchy or different resumes and cover letters are more of a turn-off to employers than a positive advertisement for you.
Writing a well-crafted error-free resume and cover letter will make you stand out enough from those people who don't bother to do that.
Here are some guidelines to follow when writing a cover letter: Try to address the letter to a human being, not to ''To whom it may concern." Find the name of the human resources representative who is handling this job search or the name of the hiring manager. Make certain to spell the person's name correctly. A misspelled name is worse than using no name at all.
Keep it short -- use clear, concise sentences. Vary the sentence structure and don't begin every sentence with ''I." Proofread your letter, check spelling, and proofread again. If possible, have someone else read your letter before you send it.
A cover letter is not a rehash of your resume. It is the opportunity to direct the hiring manager's attention to the sections of your resume that emphasize your most relevant work experience. Include your name, address, e-mail address, and telephone numbers on your cover letter as well as on your resume.
A cover letter consists of three parts: the beginning, which you let the employer know in the first sentence or two how you heard of the position or the company; the body, which is a short paragraph where you highlight one or two points from your background, education, and/or work experience that are directly relevant to the job vacancy; and the close, where you mention you would like to discuss this further in an interview. Try to keep control of the process by indicating that you will call the employer to follow up and to schedule an interview.
When applying to jobs online, cover letters have become less important or, in some instances, obsolete.
When a more personalized approach is used, including sending a cover letter, the applicant may have two chances, rather than just one, to pass the screening.
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