These days, the professional cover letter has taken a backseat to its much more popular cousin, the resume. Although it is often seen as stuffy, antiquated, and even frivolous, the cover letter actually has the power to establish the all-important first impression. And what you put in that letter could be the catalyst that sets you apart and gets you an interview.
Though many people underestimate the importance of a cover letter, one reason is because many don’t really know what goes into it. It is actually a great place to catch a hiring manager’s attention and showcase things that just can’t be communicated as well in a resume.
Like a resume, a cover letter can give highlights of your career accomplishments, a brief summary of your career path, and your relevant skills required for the position. But, what can a cover letter make an employer see about you that a resume often can’t?
1. Your ability to sell yourself. Though a resume is where you sell your skills and experiences, a great place to sell yourself as a strong investment is in the cover letter. This is not just for those of you in sales – everyone is expected to sell themselves! Being able to do so shows you are assertive and confident about your abilities. Take the time to create a compelling opening paragraph and hook the hiring manager or recruiter right away!
2. Your reasons for job gaps or choppy work history. You may have taken time off work to go back to school or care for an ill relative, but that isn’t something easily explained (or appropriate to state) in a resume. A short, concise paragraph should provide honest, yet tactful answers into any questions about the chronology of your work history.
3. Your reasons for seeking a new job. Unless you are unemployed, giving a reason why you are looking for a new job can be insightful for an employer. There is no need to go into detail or badmouth your current/past employer, but a simple statement about wanting to grow in your field or change your career path would be sufficient. This statement is especially useful if you have a unique situation driving your job search.
4. Your reasons for changing careers (if applicable). If you have spent 20 years in investment banking are now pursuing a career in teaching, the hiring manager’s first question will be, “Why the change?” Offering some insight will give them perspective about you and where you are career-wise. Not explaining your reasons for changing careers could even make an employer think you are desperate to apply for any old job (even those not in your field), or worse yet, make them think you accidentally applied for the wrong job!
5. Your personality! Unless they are professionally written, most resumes are boring, conventional, and show very little personality. Employers are interested in not just your hard skills, but also your ability to excite, collaborate, motivate, sell, create, lead, and grow. What better way to show you have these abilities than in the language you use in your cover letter? Let your real personality come out in your cover letter and it will complement the skills and experiences you showcase in your resume.
In addition to the above, a cover letter is a great place to present client/colleague testimonials or give background information about a corporate award you earned. These are just some reasons why a cover letter should not be looked at as a less popular cousin to the resume, but rather an equal and complementary partner, helping to establish you as the best candidate for the job!
Top Three Keys To Making A Great First Impression
When you are job searching, you want to be prepared from all angles. Once you apply for a job, the microscope zooms in and you must be prepared to be examined. Putting your best foot forward when you are being so closely inspected involves more than presenting an error-free resume and wearing a nice smile. Here are the three pieces that fit together to shape how employers see you. Are you lacking in any of these areas?
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When I was searching for my first corporate job, I was called a few days after an interview and told, "Thank you for coming in, however we’ve decided to offer the position to someone else." I politely thanked her and let her know I appreciated the interview and follow-up call. The next day, I received a call from the same person with a job offer. I remember her words so vividly: "I’ll bet you weren’t expecting to hear from me!" It turns out the other applicant had opted for another offer and I was the runner-up.That was an exciting call and I was so thankful that I handled the initial rejection call so well.
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