Too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover letters. In a sense, a well-written letter works like a representative on your behalf. He sends a sales pitch for you to the employer and explains why you should be at the top of the list for interview calls. Taking the time to write a cover letter tells the employer that you are willing to do more; not just putting a resume in an envelope and mailing it.
Not All Resume Cover Letters Are Created Equally
No two resume cover letters should ever be the same; Each should be tailored specifically to the job you are applying for. A generic cover letter is an insult to an employer and will quickly go into the trash. Keep the following tips in mind as you write these letters:
Address resume cover letters are for a real entity, not just a generic “Who Can Be Relevant to” or “Director of Staff”. If you don’t know who to address, find out and make sure you spell their names correctly. Don’t just assume.
Indicate who referred you or how you learned about the job posting. “Linda McCain mentioned that you might be hiring a new computer programmer soon.” or “I learned about your opening for an Affiliate from your posting on the San Francisco Sun and would like to discuss a few ways I can contribute to your team.”
Resume cover letters should discuss how you can help the employer, not why you need the job. The employer posted a job because the position needs to be filled and they need the best candidate to fill it. Convince them why you are that person.
Stay Away From The Crowd
Show that you know something about who the employer is and what they do. If you do not know anything about the company, find out what products or services the company offers, its competitors; any recent or upcoming changes. Employers will be impressed with your knowledge, especially if their company serves a specific niche that is not well known.
Do not discuss salary requirements right now. If the job posting asks you to respond with salary information, simply say in your cover letter, “I’d be happy to discuss my salary history in an interview.” Then quickly move on to what you can offer them in terms of your talents and skills.
Provide a firm date to follow up to discuss a meeting. Do not rely on the employer to follow up with you.
Keep it Short and Concise
Don’t say ‘Please find my resume. This wastes valuable space on resume cover letters that you can dedicate to highlighting why you’re perfect for the job.
Indicate what you need, but do not draw it. Keep resume cover letters on one page, preferably about four short paragraphs.
Evenness Numbers
Review your resume cover letters and then ask someone else to make corrections. Don’t cut yourself off from candidates called for an interview because of a simple typo or a misspelled word. Do not rely on your computers spell-check. It doesn’t always catch everything.
Make sure your letter is clean. If possible, spend a little extra and print on nice, professional paper. Make sure there are no wrinkles, folds, or spots.
Following a few simple rules can help your application stand out from the rest and get you to your doorstep for an interview and on your way to this great new job!
Read Also: Body Language and Its Importance in Interviews
