How Cover Letters Can Help or Hurt Job Seekers
I have to say that I have been feeling badly lately for the poor cover letter. Actually, I have been feeling badly lately for the poor job seeker who tends to neglect the cover letter, passing it off as just a quick intro to presenting the more important piece, the resume.
I certainly understand how that happens. After all, we are becoming a nation of job seekers successfully sold on the concept that we need a professionally written resume in order to conduct an effective job search. So much emphasis has been placed on the resume that the cover letter is often an afterthought.
As a former hiring manager who reviewed hundreds of resumes AND cover letters, I can tell you that the cover letter should be anything but an afterthought. When I was looking for top-quality candidates, I used to focus my attention first and foremost on cover letters.
In fact, I would use the cover letter as my first screen of candidates. Like most hiring managers in large-scale corporations, HR would send up to me their top picks after reading through the dirge of applicants and conducting phone interviews. My first order of business was to read the cover letter. If the cover letter was fraught with spelling and grammar errors, sounded like it was written for any and all potential employers, and was nothing more than some scripted template, I refused to even read the resume.
Why? Because I saw the cover letter as the job seekerýs chance to communicate with me directly. After all, the letter was supposedly written to me or to my company. The resume, I knew, was targeted toward my industry or to someone hiring for a particular position. I figured that someone who lacked an ability to communicate with me, knowing that they were applying for a position in my company, was not the kind of individual I wanted to fill my position.
Listen. I recognize how hard it is for job seekers to put together quality resumes and cover letters, much less to find the time to get them out the door. But, hey, last time I checked, they were looking for worký. I donýt think it is too much to ask to take a few extra moments and personalize the letter a bit more.
Here is what always impressed me:
1. Why are you choosing to apply here? (Whatever you do, make it sound like you are interested in the company as a whole, not just because you want a job.)
2. What do you know about my company?
3. What do you know about the products/services we provide?
4. What types of clients do we serve?
5. How do you see yourself fitting in to the mission of our organization?
A simple perusal of the company website can certainly help answer these questions. I donýt think anyone expects you to have insider knowledge. But it is nice to know that you are considering a candidate who took a few extra minutes to tailor the letter to your company. No one likes to think they are potentially hiring someone who is willing to work anywhere, even if that is true.
My company is called No Stone Unturned, and I am an MBA and certified professional rýsumý writer (CPRW). Feel free to give me a call toll-free at 1-866-755-9800 or sign up to receive my free Job Search Advice eGuide today. In February 2009, I am launching a new group job hunting networking site called Noddle Place. Check it out at http://www.noddleplace.com.
Related Articles:
Amazing Cover Letter Creator Review
If you are looking for an opportunity to land that dream job, one of the most important aspects to the job search process is the cover letter In many cases your cover letter can have a bigger impact in getting you an interview than your resume itself
Reasons Why to Get motivation From Cover Letter Samples?
A cover letter is an important part of every application letter. It is thus amazing how most job applicants ignore the cover letter and just submit their applications with only their comprehensive resumes and other documents in the envelope or in the email.
Avoiding the Common Cover Letter Mistakes
Many people have attributed the success of landing a job to the fact that they wrote and delivered a strong cover letter This cover letter could be the very first thing that a hiring company reads and therefore, could end up serving as the first impression you make
Writing the Perfect Cover Letter
These days, you can find several websites that offer sample cover letters It can be tempting to subscribe to any of these websites and use a ready-made, ready-to-use cover letter, but refrain yourself from doing so
Sample Cover Letters ... The Hidden Pitfalls
You can benefit from sample cover letters as they can help you learn about the constructs of a high quality cover letter.However, there are some dangers in doing this .
Write the Perfect Cover Letter to Secure That Teaching Job
Cover letter for teacher reflects the attributes of the applicant Specific cover letter must be sent to a specific recipient
How To Write A Resume Cover Letter That Will Get Your Resume Read
A Resume Cover Letter has only one purpose - to stimulate the recipient of your resume to review your resume. This free resume cover letter tutorial assumes that you will be sending your resume and resume cover letter by email.
How To Boost Your Business Analyst Job Search
How To Boost Your Business Analyst Job Search Are you interested in an opportunity to become a business analyst? If you are, you need to read this article because job searching is tough work and often dreaded. Especially, if you are changing careers or looking to start your new Business Analyst career right out of college. On a more positive note, think about how exciting a new career will be in a job you enjoy doing and also think about how much more money you will be making. In this article I will show you how to prepare a tip-top cover letter and also prepare you for the business analyst job you want at the pay scale you are interviewing for. It's important to concentrate on giving the right impression to the hiring managers. Having an ...
Why Writing A Great Cover Letter Is Crucial To Your Job Search
Writing a great cover letter is arguably the most important part of your job application process Of course your resume will clearly outline your specific experience, skills, and qualifications
How To Write A Job Winning Resume That Puts Yours On Top
Many people would love to get a better job. And most of these same people have the proper training and skills to achieve this goal.
Why You Need to Find a Good Resume Cover Letter Template
If you are on the hunt for the perfect job, you may think that attaching a cover letter to your resume might not be such a big deal After all, you have all your information outlined in your resume, why bother with such an inconvenient formality as a resume cover letter
Painless Cover Letter Writing
Writing a great looking cover letter is the first step to you getting an interview at the company of your dreams Yes it is the resume that actually tells all about your work history and qualifications, but the cover letter is the first thing that the potential employer looks at before they view your resume and a cover letter offers more flexibility when it comes to selling yourself
Passing the test of the cover letter
Many people have asked themselves how to write a cover letter the best way. What is the recipe for the most successful cover letter? While there are a couple of hints and pieces of advice we can give, there is no way we can tell you from now that this or that kind of cover letter is the perfect one.
How to Choose A Resume Writer
Resume writing is a skill and profession just like any other professional service. Unfortunately, many people are hanging up shingles, running ads, and showing up in cyberspace claiming to be resume writers when they have no writing skills, little experience, and no knowledge of their profession. There are no specific licensing requirements or even a complete educational program to train someone in resume writing. This means that anyone with the inclination can put up a sign, print up business cards, or post a web site, and claim to be a resume writer.
A Cover Letter is More Important Than a Resume
Cover letters must complement your resume and not be redundant It is used to interpret and add a personal touch for the resume