Cover Letter Relevance: To Include or Not To Inlcude

myFOX Job Shop - Cover letters are one of those funny little anomalies that most people have a hard time getting a handle on as they progress in their job search. There are many different opinions on whether cover letters should even be used in a job search and if so how and where.

First is the decision to Include or Not Include. It is expected that about 1/3 of Hiring Managers will never read them, 1/3 will read the cover letter before the resume and the final 1/3 will read them after the resume, if the resume has something interesting to say. With your cover letter being consistently read only 33% of the time, is it worth the additional work to create cover letter and include with your resume? Absolutely!

While the Cover Letter is not always read, it is always expected and so it needs be included and it should be as focused and as customized as the resume.

Knowing how and where to use the cover letter is critical to a successful resume sending campaign. The cover letter is a calling card or an advertisement intended to grab attention and ask for the next step. Where the resume is used to WoW the reader with relevant information and achievements, the cover letter is used to introduce the candidate and often provide interesting information that otherwise wouldn’t be able to be addressed with only the resume. Having your top skills, strengths, or achievements on the cover letter is a must but the cover letter can also be the place for that little something extra.

For instance, if you are relocating and have an address that is not in the same city or state as the job you are applying for; using the cover letter to mention you are in the process of relocating to that particular city would be very helpful. Or if you are looking to transition into a different area of expertise and have information that will effectively bridge your reasoning for the transition; the cover letter is the place for this type of information. The resume needs to show the connection but the cover letter provides the added details.

A cover letter is also the place to show your passion and enthusiasm for working in a particular field and/or working for a particular company. You are excited about the opportunity and a cover letter is the perfect place to show it.

Finally, understanding where to send the cover letter and resume is the last piece of the puzzle. The cover letter can be sent with a resume through standard mail, delivered in person or it can be used as an email with the resume as an attachment. If at all possible find the specific department or person you will be sending the resume and cover letter to. The more you can find out about who will be reading the letter and what they are looking for the better. The HR department is always the stand by but if you can get more details – do so.

Regardless of how and where you send it, make sure to secure the correct inside address and contact name for the salutation. If you use a generic cover letter that doesn’t have the company’s name and address included it will read like a form letter and most likely not get read at all. Using the correct name and address and specific terms that fit will make the letter interesting.

With the job market so competitive it is vital that job seekers use every available tool to promote themselves, toot their own horn and get the resume noticed. Cover letters can be exciting and grab the reader’s attention much quicker than a resume. Use it to stay on top of competition for faster employment results.