Cover Letters

Do not underestimate the importance of this document. The cover letter "introduces" you to an employer and summarizes why you should be hired. It can also screen you right out of a job, if you are careless.

A good cover letter is addressed specifically to an employer. Don't adopt the bad habit of using a generic, one-size-fits-all letter. If you are responding to a job you have seen advertised or posted, include specific details about the position in the ad or posting.

Your ability to meet experience levels and skill requirements should be stated in your cover letter. Include some knowledge of the company to which you are applying, whether it is about their operations, products, or performance.

After the salutation, the first paragraph should briefly state your qualifications for the job, how you found out about it, and the name of the position for which you are applying. The second paragraph (and third, if necessary) should contain a more detailed account of your qualifications for the position. The end of the letter should be a request for an interview, along with your daytime contact phone number. Be sure to thank the employer, and do NOT tell the employer that you will be following up with a phone call to discuss your qualifications further. If the employer wants to call you, they will.

Before you send the letter, be sure to check it for grammatical errors. There is absolutely no excuse for mistakes. It reveals a lot about your attention to detail when your resume and/or cover letter contain even one error.

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