| Career Center - [ CoverLetter ] |
|
 |
|
Top Ten Reasons
Why You Need a Cover Letter
by Peter Newfield |
|
Your cover letter presents your intentions, qualifications, and availability to
a prospective employer in a succinct, appealing format. It's your first chance
to make a great impression, a personalized letter indicates you are serious
about your job search. Your resume can give the nitty-gritty of dates, places
of employment, and education but your cover letter must entice the reader to
take the extra few minutes to consider you when faced with hundreds and
thousands of candidates for any one job opening.
1. Do you really need a cover letter?
You bet! Just as you would never just show up unannounced at a prospective
employer's door, your resume should Never just appear solo on a decision-
maker's desk. Your cover letter is your first opportunity to introduce
yourself, present your qualifications, and show the search committee you are a
potential candidate for the advertised position.
2. Personalize it to the company.
Anyone can reproduce a "canned" cover letter and hope for the best. Instead,
take a few minutes to personalize your letter by showing that you are really
serious about working for the companies you are contacting. State the reason
that you are interested in working for that particular company. Mention a
department, a new project the company is involved in, an acquisition the
company has made. Show that you have done your homework. Address the cover
letter to a specific individual whenever possible.
3. Why are you sending your resume and cover letter?
Cover letters should be clear and to the point. Include the specific job title,
two to three reasons why your experience makes a good fit, and a brief outline
of career highlights.
4. Highlight your strengths!
You may be a great person and never call in sick, but prospective employers
really want to know why they should consider you for this position. Brag a
little! Give a few facts, list relevant skills, and state accomplishments on
your present or most recent jobs that will be impressive. Increased overseas
sales by 93%? Negotiated new financial leases/loans? Implemented new training
programs which reduced staff turnover by 15%?
5. State your intentions and qualifications right up front.
If you expect a senior personnel manager or recruiter to wade through a
mish-mash of information on your cover letter before understanding why you are
sending your resume, chances are, it will never happen.
6. What makes you different?
Emphasize your skills, talents, and experiences to show how you would be a
valuable addition to the team. If you have relevant volunteer or professional
experience include it briefly in your cover letter. Example: An accountant who
serves as volunteer treasurer for a nonprofit community health organization; an
international sales rep who has lived in Europe and Asia and speaks several
languages.
7. No negative information!
Never include personality conflicts with previous employers, pending litigation
suits, or sarcastic remarks in your cover letter. If you are bad-mouthing your
present place of employment, interviewers may fear a repeat performance if they
hire you.
8. When should you include salary/relocation information?
The rule of thumb is to always include salary requirements and/or salary
history in the cover letter if a prospective employer requests it. For example:
My salary requirements are $60,000-$75000 (negotiable). Or: My current salary
is $53,000 at XYZ corporation. To eliminate this information from your cover
letter may justify your resume getting tossed out. Never include salary and
relocation information on your resume, only address this information in your
cover letter.
9. Action Steps to Take
Take a proactive approach in your cover letter. State the fact that you are
available for a personal interview; give your home, work, e-mail, and/or cell
phone numbers where you can be reached; note that you will follow up by phone
(where possible) to provide any additional information required.
10. Be direct!
A professionally written cover letter and resume can open the doors to your
next position on the corporate ladder, as well as a new career in a different
field. A clean, error-free presentation combined with strong phrasing and solid
facts will encourage the reader to review the attached resume and call you in
for an interview.
|
|
 |
|
|
|