After you are happy with your resume, there is one more step to ensure you’ve done everything you can to apply for a job.
You should also prepare a letter addressing the employer directly whenever you submit your resume or application. A compelling Resume Cover Letter is one tailored to the position you are applying for.
Your Resume Cover Letter accompanies your resume. Together they are to present your working experience, skills, and personality to the employer. The Cover Letter is your opportunity to talk about your strongest suits and, if you deem appropriate, to downplay areas you don’t excel in but which you think might be pertinent to the position.
You can view the Resume Cover Letter as a way to advertise yourself to the employer. Writing a Resume Cover Letter can be more challenging than it seems. It is a balancing act of personability and professionalism.
Depending on your state, a Resume Cover Letter may also be known as:
Every person applying for a new job should use a Resume Cover Letter whenever they submit a job application or the resume. The only exception is if the company in question explicitly requests the omission of Resume Cover Letters.
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A Resume Cover Letter should ideally be formatted for readability, with particular attention paid to proper salutations and closing words. That is why you want to have a template you can revisit time and again to customize your cover letter to each position applied.
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Technically, you do not have to sign your Resume Cover Letter, but it is recommended. If you are sending it by mail or in person, you should add your signature at the allotted space.
Attach your Resume Cover Letter with your resume when applying for a job.
The main difference between the two is that the generic cover letter does not address anyone in particular, as opposed to individual cover letters. A generic Resume Cover Letter might suffice in some instances, but most employers will appreciate the individual cover letter more. An individual Resume Cover Letter should demonstrate that you know more about the employer and speak directly to the company or reader. In your job search, it is advisable to use individual cover letters as much as possible.
Unless a prospective employer has a specific request to the contrary, your letter should be no longer than one page, within which anywhere from 250 to 500 words is more than enough. The structure of the letter is also essential. You should have separated paragraphs, salutations, and a formal closing. It is also recommended to use standard business-style fonts and avoid the use of overly small or large font sizes.
If you have a noticeable employment gap in your resume, a potential employer might ask you about it during the interview – if you did not get skipped over because of it from the jump. Addressing any employment gap in the Resume Cover Letter is often a good idea. Frame the issue as positively as possible and make it to the point while eschewing an apologetic tone. Use the rest of the letter to focus on what you bring to the table.
Certainly, they include repeating points already made in your resume. Your cover letter should stand as a separate representation of you in the workplace. Another mistake is being too modest or boastful. Either can turn off potential employers, so can grammatical and spelling mistakes.
An "uninvited" cover letter is one sent to a company’s HR manager (or another person of authority) external to any job listing. While this might not be the standard way that most people use to apply for jobs, it can showcase your ability to do research and be thorough. These Resume Cover Letters do not often lead to employment, but it is a way to focus on the companies that you want to work for the most.
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