Writing a cover letter may seem passé in today’s world of zapping resumes electronically to potential employers, often via the black hole of job boards. But a cover letter can pack more punch than you think.
A well-written cover letter instantly represents who you are and what you bring to the table that’s relevant to the employer’s needs. If you can’t send it along with your resume when you apply electronically, one option is to send it directly to the person who is interviewing you ahead of time."I tell my clients that if they're very excited about the role, then it's worth the time to write a letter," said career coach Aileen Axtmayer. Be clear, direct, and succinct.
Pay attention to the words used repeatedly. Those are clues as to what is important to the organization.The header of your cover letter contains your contact information. Include your telephone number, professional email address and links to your LinkedIn profile, and personal website if you have one. Use the same heading with your contact info in the same style as your resume and send it as a PDF, Axtmayer said.
Your cover letter is the appetizer for your resume. So unless the job posting states otherwise, or you’re submitting your resume on a site that includes no option for a cover letter, always include one. Expand on the most relevant parts of your experience or education in one to two paragraphs. Use this section to show recruiters the impact your work has had and what you will bring to the table if hired.
A bonus for your efforts: “By doing a cover letter, you’re also doing your interview homework so you can clearly and specifically answer why you want to work at that company, in that job, and how you've demonstrated the success factors that are important in that environment,” Mistal said. Kerry Hannon is a Senior Columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a career and retirement strategist, and the author of 14 books, including "Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more