Here’s an excerpt from my recent career article about Cover Letters…
Cover Letters 101: Why Every Resume Should Have One and How To Get Yours Noticed
by Hallie Crawford, Career Coach, MA, CPCC
So you’ve created a great-looking resume that’s sure to impress potential employers. Terrific! Now…what about your cover letter? Most people overlook the importance of this key item when sending out their resume. Don’t miss your chance to communicate with your potential future boss. The cover letter helps make it happen.
Tips on Getting Your Cover Letter Noticed
1 – Be specific and demonstrate knowledge.
Employers read many resumes and cover letters, especially for prime positions. Yours should specifically address the position you hope to land an interview for, and explain how your skills and experience qualify you for that job. Don’t send “mass mail,” all-purpose types of resumes and cover letters – these frequently end up in the recycle bin.
2 – Address the letter to the person who will be reading it.
Avoid “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom it May Concern” whenever possible. Even better, show that you are familiar with the company. Reference a recent merger, new product line, or other noteworthy event as evidence that you follow the company’s success and would make a valuable part of the team.
3 – Play up the positives; explain or downplay the negatives.
Let’s say you are a recent college graduate without a lot of job experience. Describe how your activities and experiences in school helped prepare you for your career, while avoiding weak phrases like “willing to learn.” Or, suppose you have time gaps in your employment that you feel are necessary to explain. Use your cover letter to explain the gap, and put a positive spin on it if possible (i.e., “You will notice I was not employed between March 2006 and August 2006. During this time I traveled abroad and studied Spanish…”)
Click here to read the remainder of the Cover Letters article. Good luck writing your cover letter! Hallie
Related Articles:
Resume writing
Resume writer — Jacqueline Simmons
Resume writer — Janice Shepherd
Career testing (MAPP)
Compilation of Career Articles
