Why Should I Write a Cover Letter?
Resumes are designed to be factual, concise documents that outline an applicant's background, education and experience. They typically provide enough detail and information for an employer to determine if the applicant meets the basic requirements of the available position. Although informative, however, resumes provide little insight into the personality of the applicant. A cover letter offers the opportunity for an applicant to address specifics about the available opportunity, as well as add a personal touch to the correspondence.
Other People Are Reading
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Don't Make Them Guess
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Cover letters offer the opportunity to explain why you're sending a resume. This section should include information on the specific job opening, where or how you learned of the opening, and why that specific company representative was selected as your contact person. If referred by an employee of the company, a mutual friend, relative or employment agency, indicate this as well. Conclude this section with a short explanation of your interest in a particular opportunity, such as an internship, temporary position or full-time job.
Get Their Attention
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Employers are often inundated with resumes for lucrative job openings. A cover letter offers an opportunity to make your resume stand out from the crowd and get the attention of a potential employer. There may also be details about your cover letter --- such as style, personal connection or specific comments --- that can make an employer interested in learning more about you.
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Highlight Pertinent Resume Details
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Important details or points pertinent to a particular opening can easily get lost in a formal resume. A cover letter allows you the opportunity to highlight details that closely match the job description and may cause the employee to take a closer look at the resume. It also offers space for an extended explanation of related background and experience that may not be included in the resume.
Personal Touch
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One of the most important aspects of a cover letter is the opportunity to add a personal touch to the resume. Cover letters can reveal a lot about your personality, such as a sense of humor, enthusiasm or communication skills. These touches may strike a chord with the employer and result in further interest in your resume.
Follow-up Details
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Without a cover letter, both you and the employer may be unsure as to the next step in the job search process. Cover letters allow you to ask for an in-person interview or indicate how you plan on following up on the resume submission. This can provide the employer with some expectations of future contact, as well as show enthusiasm and interest in the available opening.
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References
Resources
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