Write the Perfect Resume Cover Letter
Five Essentials Job Seekers Need to Know for Writing an Introduction
Jun 12, 2009
Too often job seekers focus on writing their resume and the cover letter seems to come as an after thought. This is the wrong move. Resume cover letters are as important as the resume itself.
Now over the years there has been a lot of discussion as to whether or not resume cover letters were even worth the effort. And often time job seekers will opt out and choose to send only the resume. This is an option.
However, for job seekers who decide that they want to include a cover letter with their resume, it is important they do it correctly. Otherwise, it can send the wrong message to the recruiter or hiring manager. So here are five essentials that job seekers need to know about writing the perfect resume cover letter.
Direct the Cover Letter to a Specific Person
Addressing a cover letter to “to whom it may concern” or “sir/madam” is out. Most job postings indicate who should receive resumes, so job seekers need to take the time to address their cover letter properly. That includes getting the spelling of the recipient’s name and their job title correct. Nothing says lazy or inattentive to detail more than typos, especially when it comes to the recipient’s name.
Sometimes in reading a job posting there is no person specifically listed OR the name given makes it difficult to discern the gender of the individual. When this occurs, there are a few options that job seekers may want to consider.
If the company is listed, check the website for the name of the hiring manager or call the company and ask for the person’s name or gender. Job seekers can explain they want to submit their resume to a posted position, but are not sure whether to address it to Mr. or Ms. If neither of these options nets the right results, an alternative would be to address the cover letter to Mr./Ms. Last Name.
Use the Cover Letter to Communicate More
Before job seekers ever write a resume cover letter it is important to understand the purpose. Not only is it a great marketing tool which allows job seekers to showcase their writing abilities and further expand on what they offer the potential new employer, it provides job seekers with the opportunity to offer additional information regarding:
- the type of position they seek
- why they are looking
- any red flags in their resume (i.e. job gaps)
Make the First Paragraph of the Cover Letter Count
Most people are already aware that many recruiters and hiring managers have a lot to deal with on a daily basis. So it is imperative when job seekers craft a resume cover letter, they get to the point.
They should use the first paragraph to explain why they are writing and the position for which they are applying. The language should be such that it hooks the reader into wanting to know more by offering a small glimpse into what skills and abilities the job seeker has to offer.
Match the Cover Letter to the Resume Style
Consistency is key when putting together a resume and cover letter package. While these are separate documents, they come as a set. That means that both should be printed on the same paper, in the same font and using the same general design.
Job seekers who place their contact information at the top of their resume should do the same on their cover letter. Or for those who prefer their name at the top and their contact information running along the bottom of the page, this is fine; just be consistent.
Include the Cover Letter in eMail When Sending via Internet
There are two schools of thought with regard to emailing a cover letter. Some experts suggest sending it as a separate attachment from a resume while others indicate that it is easier just to copy and paste what is written in the cover letter into the email and send only the resume as an attachment.
On the one hand, if both are attached, the recipient can now save or print both documents whether they keep them in their database or print hard copies to file. On the other hand, if the cover letter is included in the body of the email it may be discarded with the email trash. Ultimately, which way to send a resume cover letter ends up being a personal decision.
What is most important to remember is that job seekers need to keep in mind that first impressions count. Writing the perfect resume cover letter is all about consistency and professionalism.
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