Cover Letters

A cover letter introduces you and your resume to an employer, and you should send a cover letter with every resume you submit. In your cover letter, state why you are writing, why you are the best person for the job, and when you plan to contact your prospective employer.

Many people think that a cover letter is not as important as a resume. Actually, a cover letter is very important, because it gives you the opportunity to draw your readers' attention to specific qualifications. A resume presents a lot of information about your past employment and education, while a cover letter features specific qualifications that you think will impress your readers the most.

A cover letter is also important because it provides a sample of your written communications skills. Showing you can write well will demonstrate your intelligence and help to establish your credibility. Always write cover letters with care, because, like resumes, cover letters create an image of who you are as a professional.

You should plan to write a new cover letter for every position you apply for, because cover letters should be tailored to the needs of your readers. An employer seeking an electrical engineer, for instance, will be impressed by a different letter than an employer seeking a mechanic. Always bear in mind that the content of your cover letter should change from job to job.

What should I include in my cover letter?

Cover letters should be tailored to the needs of specific employers. For this reason, you should aim to include information in your cover letter that is related to the position for which you are applying. This information should persuade your readers you are the best person for the job.

Before writing your letter, it is important to know that employers desire different kinds of people for different positions. For instance, an employer seeking an accountant may desire someone with bookkeeping abilities and an accounting degree, while an employer seeking a human relations coordinator may desire someone who works with other people and has proven leadership skills. Applicants for these jobs should highlight in their cover letters qualifications related to these positions.

Further, different employers hiring for the same type of position may not desire the same kind of applicant. For instance, two companies may advertise a position in public relations. One company may desire someone with a public relations degree and strong communications skills, while the other company may desire someone with the ability to work with people from different cultures. A person applying for the first company should include information about his or her degree and communications skills, while a person applying for the second company should include proof that he or she can work with all kinds of people.

The interview follow-up, when you have visited a business location, is a courteous letter of acknowledgment. You may also write a follow-up to an interview when your interview took place on campus. It is a good idea to write a follow-up thank you letter anytime a company has invested time with you. The letter should show the reader that you are thorough, courteous, efficient, and sincerely interested in the job. On the personal level, writing this letter allows you to wrap up your application for the job; it is your last chance to tie up all the loose ends neatly.