Tips for Writing Your Resume Cover Letters
Jobseekers frequently underestimate the importance of resume cover letters. Will your resume be read, or will it be thrown into the circular file with barely a glance? A well written cover letter can make all the difference.
The most common mistake regarding cover letters (besides plain forgetting to write them!) is using them to duplicate information already in the resume. However, you need a cover letter that expands on and complements your resume.
Imagine sitting at a desk with piles of resumes in front of you. All of them are printed on decent white paper. They all boast of each applicant's skills and objectives.
Many of them have letters, some of which are quite long. That's got to be overwhelming! So, stand out from the crowd. The cover letter needs to get attention from the reader and give them plenty of good reasons for them to turn the page.
But how do you begin? Look for examples of resume cover letters posted on the internet. They are available in several formats, for dozens of different types of jobs. Use your favorite search engine to find them easily.
Don't be afraid to mention the name of someone who has both referred you and is well known to the company or interviewer-- provided you have that person's permission, of course. You'll be using the power of networking referrals, which can go a long way in making sure that your resume gets serious consideration.
Next thing you need to do is study the job description. Write references to it and describe how your skills make you suited for the job. The easy thing to do would be to repeat everything that's on your resume, but this is a golden opportunity to take everything a step further. Talk specifically about how your skills suit you for the job and how you'll benefit the company.
"What's in it for me?" Imagine that this is the very question that the interviewer is asking. On some level, that's probably exactly what the interviewer is thinking when he or she reads resume cover letters. The interview is sure to be yours if your answer sounds good!
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Published December 3rd, 2007
Filed in Business, Career, Management, Marketing
