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By Vivian Rollins
I was taught to never judge a book by its cover - for the most part,
this is true. As I'm sure you will agree, this does not apply for cover
letters and resumes. Your cover letter is an extremely effective
marketing tool to introduce yourself to future employers and if that's
enticing, they move to your resume. When presented well, your cover
letter and resume act as a one-two punch that can open doors up to vast
opportunities. Remember, first impressions are everything so let
the professionals help you lead with your best foot.
The basic premise of the cover letter is to convey to the potential
employer of your qualifications and interest in working for his or her
company. If an employer is not impressed with the cover letter, chances
are that they will not proceed to your resume. Writing a good cover
letter is not that difficulty. Use it to your advantage and you can reap
the rewards. As an example, a cover letter is a good place to explain
how you learn about this job - perhaps someone from within the company
recommended you or perhaps you want to ensure that certain
qualifications are highlighted or accomplishments which define you as
the right fit for the job.
Here's a couple of Dos and Don'ts. To make a cover a hit, do convey to
the reader the specific job for which you are applying and address it to
the appropriate hiring person. Do include a basic description of your
the qualifications or experiences that speaks directly to the advertised
job requirements. Do be polite and do remember to thank the reader for
reviewing your information. Finally, do end the letter with an action
plan that you will follow up with them some time next week. Do not
address the letter with To Whom It May Concern because this is very
impersonal. Take the time to find out who the reader is. Do not write an
essay, keep your cover letter as simple and to the point as possible.
Most hiring managers have to weed through hundreds
of resumes so keep them interested by presenting a clean, short and
concise cover letter. Do not mention anything negative about your prior
or current company or job. Do not talk about your personal life - keep
it professional.
Remember that your cover letter has the potential to be more important
than your resume. As with a book, if you are not impressed by the cover,
you probably wouldn't give that book a chance and in this case,
employers may never read your resume, no matter how dynamic your resume
is. Don't take chances, have a professional review and assist you in
writing an effective cover letter.
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