Cover Letter for your Resume

When you are invited to send your resume, do you do just that? Mail or post your resume and just a resume? What about a covering letter with your resume? Or is that a thing of the past; a mere formality? Well yes and no, a lot of people don’t bother with a covering letter along with their resume, but they should. It is not just good etiquette, which it is; but it also makes good business sense. Here is what a covering letter is and how it can help you get your foot inside that door:

What is a cover letter: The covering letter that accompanies your resume sample, should, ideally provide a small amount of information about you and why you are interested in the job that you are applying for. It should set out briefly, why in your opinion you are suitable for the job; it is then the job of your resume to give all the details and facts about your qualifications, experience, unique abilities etc. You could say that a covering letter is like a statement and the resume that goes along with it is the corroboration or proof of the statement made in the cover letter.

Why do you need one: Remember your resume is not a letter, so when you send one it, it should be accompanied by a cover letter to say what it is that you are sending. So assume that one is required even if there is no specific requirement for one. A covering letter is the first thing that your prospective employer will see, even before the resume sample that you have sent.  Make it count, by making it arresting and attention grabbing, so that it stands out from among the many resumes that the prospective employer may have received.

What should it say: What unique value can you bring to the position you are looking to fill? Why are you the best person for the job? How can you help your prospective employer achieve the goals and targets set? Set out briefly all these details in your covering letter. The claims that you make in your cover letter though, should be backed up and borne out by the contents of your resume otherwise it would seem as though you are making tall and unsubstantiated claims, which will harm your credibility in the eyes of the prospective employer.

What your cover letter should contain: The cover letter should ideally be addressed to a specific person, so it pays to do some research and find out exactly who in the organization will be dealing with your resume when you send it in. This way you make sure that your resume reaches the correct person and does not go astray. The cover letter should, ordinarily contain your address and date, the employer’s address and name of the concerned person, salutation, body and complimentary closing. It should enclose your sample resume.

So use your resume and its cover letter to make the best impression possible.