A Cover Letter is an important document to include for so many reasons. The resume gives the bulleted information, but the cover letter tells the story. A cover letter is a desired part of the application process in most professional careers. It also shows an applicant’s ability to write and explain themselves. The ability to convey your thoughts into a document is important in all types of jobs, and this may be extremely important in certain careers.
When writing a cover letter, an applicant can show the future employer that they understand the culture of the workplace and the company. It’s also a great way to explain how you went from one career to another or how your past career prepared you for a job at the new company. You can also explain a gap in your work history with a cover letter or add your personality to your application.
The cover letter isn’t always read right away since the resume is the bulleted information the employer wants, but it may be the deciding factor between applicants. It may also be the starting point for an interview or a conversation.
It’s also a great place to add in if someone else gave you the information on interviewing for the company with a referral.
What does a good cover letter include:
A heading with your name, address, phone number, and email address.
The date and company contact information.
Address the cover letter to a specific person or hiring manager.
An introduction or salutation to who you are sending the resume to.
The body of the cover letter includes who you are and why you are creating this cover letter. You will explain how you found out about the position and why you may be interested in applying for the job. You will also talk about any gaps in your work history or how your work history relates to the career you are applying for. You will talk about your values and goals and how they align with the job. You must explain why you are the best person for the job and how they will benefit from you working with them.
The Closing will include your final thoughts, when you should contact them again, your name and contact information like phone and email, and a thank you.
There are rules to follow and writing tips that go along with the cover letter. It is a good idea to take a look at other example cover letters to understand how your cover letter should look. You should not have a generic cover letter but a letter that is specific to the career and position.
The cover letter and resume have a way to be presented. If you are printing the cover letter and resume, make sure it is on quality paper and placed in front of your resume. It should be just one page so it is easy to view and read. It must be proofread and placed into a quality envelope or pamphlet. If you are emailing the cover letter and resume, make sure to have the proper titles with your name and cover letter name. You can always make it a PDF and send it as one document.
Even with the age of information and the need to know specifics right away, a cover letter is still very important when applying for a career.
