Cover Letter Writing

In today’s job market, are cover letters still necessary?
We say yes.

Cover letters are where you do your own personal marketing. It is through the cover letter that you can show the hiring manager your strengths, your attention to detail and ability to follow instructions, your interest in the opportunity (versus desperation for any job), and your enthusiasm and communication skills.
As yet another tool to differentiate yourself from the competition, why wouldn’t you take advantage? Just make sure you are effective in doing so…here are a few tips on how:
• Avoid using form letters. Cover letters that appear generic do little to separate you from the crowd and make you appear lazy and uninterested. Make sure to customize each letter, and if you’re using a template from another letter, triple check that the “variables” like salutation and company name match up.
• State the position to which you are applying and make sure to adjust this for each posting.
• Match your skills and experience to those noted in the job posting. Use specific examples from your background to provide evidence. Don’t make the hiring manager “work” to figure out your qualifications.
• Be brief yet specific. With hiring managers spending less than 20 seconds on each letter, you want to supply the necessary information in as little space as possible. Three to four paragraphs is sufficient.
• Refrain from asking for a specific salary or making other work-related demands. The purpose of your letter is to explain what you can do for the company, not vice versa.
• Check for errors. As the first document seen by a prospective employer, it must be very well written and free of spelling, grammatical, or typographical errors. Always ask a trusted friend or colleague to review the document before sending it out.
The number one factor to keep in mind when deciding on whether or not to include a cover letter is to follow instructions. Though most industries and most companies seem to prefer a cover letter, there are some situations where it is not required. At the very least, include a short paragraph of three to five sentences describing how you learned of the position and why your qualifications are a perfect fit.

By Sharon Rivera