How to Write a Cover Letter To Accompany Your Resume
If you don't put almost as much time into learning how to write a cover letter as you put into learning how to write your resume, you're missing the boat.
As you can tell by the name of this site, I started out making it mostly about how to do resumes. And that's why you've been reading over and over how important it is in the job search to make yourself stand out via a top notch, killer resume.
And I won't kid you... a resume IS extremely important. Without it, you're not going to be able to get anything beyond the most basic entry level job, and maybe not even that.
However... the more I worked on my resume pages, the more I realized I'd be doing you a disservice if I neglected to dedicate at least a part of this site to teaching you how to write a cover letter.
Because here's the thing... Your resume should reach every prospective employer accompanied by a customized cover letter.
What Is a Cover Letter?
Hold up... Are you wondering "What IS a cover letter exactly, anyway?" I don't want to insult anyone; if you already know what a cover letter is, then feel free to skip down to the next section of this page.
But for people who don't know, here's a definition for the question, "What is a cover letter?":
A cover letter is a formal letter that accompanies your resume when it goes to a recruiter. It's another important tool in "selling" you, by highlighting your unique skills/talents/achievements and by filling in any gaps in information that a resume may not cover, such as why you had a lengthy period of unemployment between jobs.
Cover letters can be typed and printed to go with a printed paper resume. Or, a cover letter might be contained on a fax, making it a fax cover letter. A cover letter can also be in email format, when you email a resume to a recruiter.
The important thing to realize is that it is an essential formal piece of writing that tells the recruiter – in a nutshell – why you should get a job interview!
And it is crucial that you NOT look upon the task of writing this letter as a mere formality. If you send a resume cover letter that says little more than the one pictured below, guess where your resume is going to end up?
Yep, that's right... File 13, the circular file, the trash, or at best, at the bottom of the heap of hundreds of resumes sent in answer to the associated job ad.
How NOT to Write a Cover Letter
To Whom It May Concern:
Enclosed please find my resume in response to your advertisement for a customer service representative. Thanks in advance for your kind attention.
Sincerely, Jane JobSeeker
Send a cover letter like that one and you can be sure that your resume will get NO attention!
It sounds like every other canned letter coming in to the office, and believe me... there are hundreds just like it!
But, the good news is there are some simple, concrete action steps I teach you about how to write a cover letter that will virtually ensure that your resume IS noticed.
But, First, Let's Review...
Let's step back a minute and look at the steps to landing a job, once you've identified one that you want to pursue and written a great resume and cover letter.
Mail, email, or fax the resume with the cover letter to the hiring manager.
The well-written cover letter grabs the attention of the hiring manager long enough that he or she takes the time to also read the attached resume.
The killer resume presents a strong picture of your capabilities and potential and clarifies what the cover letter began to intimate that you could do for the company.
With the resume cover letter combination having made it clear how much you stand out above most of the other candidates, the hiring manager can't wait to meet you and calls you to come in for an interview.
You prepare for the interview, so when the time comes, you demonstrate that your resume and cover letter weren't just a spectacular piece of creative writing. On the contrary, you are THE candidate for this job.
You get the job offer!
See how easy it is, if you follow the step-by-step process?
What's that, you say? "But I don't know how to write a cover letter that will land me an interview, much less the job? Where do I even begin?"
Not to worry...
Cover Letter Help Is On the Way!
I'll get you started on your quest to becoming a resume cover letter writing expert. Just grab yourself a coffee, soda pop, or other beverage of your choice, and take the time to read through some of the following articles, and before you know it... you'll know everything there is to know about how to write a cover letter.
Free Cover Letter Templates, where you'll find free templates for cover letters, along with an annotated outline you can use to construct your own killer cover letter.
Best Cover Letter Tips, where you can get some ideas on how to use cover letters creatively that goes beyond the usual.
So, are you ready to get started on learning how to write a cover letter? Great... Let's go! Get clicking to the cover letter of your dreams!
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