Introduction to Cover Letters

What is a cover letter and why should I write one?

Job search etiquette requires that your resume always receive a proper introduction. When you can't give an in-person introduction, handing your resume directly to a networking contact or interviewer, your resume should always be accompanied by its chaperone: the cover letter. The cover letter explains why you are sending your resume. If written correctly, it also helps to sell your skills and qualifications and to get you noticed by the hirer.

While your resume is a summary of your credentials, your cover letter is, in a manner of speaking, a sales pitch. Your aim is to demonstrate why your skills and your background make a perfect match for the position. When receiving a letter and resume, most employers will read the letter first. This means that if you want an employer to give your resume serious consideration, you will have to sell yourself in your letter.

How do I write a cover letter?

Writing an effective cover letter takes considerable thought and effort. You must reflect not only on your personal objectives, but also on the needs and interests of your reader and the requirements of the situation.

Think of the letter as having three parts, each with a separate function:

Opening

Tell your purpose and how you have come to know of the company, such as:

- Response to an ad

- Suggestion from a contact

- Research you've done into the company

Body

Show you match their needs, indicating:

- Your skills, work habits, experience

- Benefits to the company

Closing

Express your eagerness to meet, and say you will call.

When should I send a cover letter?

Always mail a cover letter with your resume. Even if you are following up an advertisement that reads simply “send resume,” be sure to include a cover letter. It is not professional to send a resume without one. Write a separate letter for each job application.