While your resume serves as the centerpiece of your job application, your cover letter provides an opportunity to sell yourself and communicate why you’re the right fit for the position in question. Your cover letter can even be more important than your resume if you’re looking to stand out from other applicants and get an interview. But what exactly does a cover letter do? And how do you go about writing one that gets noticed? Let’s take a look at the role of a letter and how to craft one that helps your chances of landing an interview or job offer.
Cover Letters
The purpose of a cover letter, simply put, is to get an employer to read your resume. Some say that it’s not as important in today’s marketplace—and those job seekers should instead focus on making their resumes stand out. That could be true for entry-level positions and those where hiring managers have stacks of resumes to sort through, but it’s still incredibly important to include cover letters when applying for more senior roles or executive-level positions.
1) When Should I Send One?
As you move through your career, and as you apply for various positions and jobs, you will receive cover letters with your job applications. Your employer may also ask you to write one as part of their recruitment process. When should you send out a letter? While it isn’t necessary to include one in every job application or resume submission (though many companies have specific instructions about when to include one), if there are specific requirements listed in their job posting that an attached letter can fulfill, then it’s best to follow directions accordingly. If they don’t specify either way, however, then I advise simply waiting until asked by a recruiter or hiring manager before sending out a letter with your resume.
2) When you do need a cover letter
If you’re applying for an internship or entry-level position, you can probably skip sending in a cover letter. If you’re applying for a job that is more senior and requires previous experience (or if it isn’t explicitly stated), you may need to submit a letter—but even then, it might not be necessary depending on your resume and who you are applying to. More senior jobs often expect candidates to include their resumes, rather than cover letters.
3) How long should my cover letter be?
It’s hard to say exactly how long your letter should be because every job posting has its instructions for how long it wants its cover letters. Generally, however, you want to keep your letter from being too short or too long. If it’s very short, you may come off as uninterested in the position; if it’s too long, you might seem unfocused and overzealous. For get a good letter you can get best cover letter services through an authentic service provider.
4) Don’t Use Word Fillers
Use action verbs and don’t use word fillers like utilize, perform, conduct, or anything along those lines. Don’t say you will perform; explain exactly what you will do instead. Stick to simple nouns and active verbs when writing letters for college students. They want action – not passive words that don’t mean anything! A good tip for your best cover letters is to proofread it thoroughly before sending it out.
