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Focused Cover Letter: Introduce the Resume Properly!
from: John GrothGreat Cover Letters go out of their way to properly introduce the resume.
A resume cover letter should introduce the resume. The resume cover letter should point the person reviewing the application packages to the resume. It should not be the prime mover but rather a means to direct the recruiter to learn more in the resume.
The well written cover letter that accompanies the resume should clearly express your interest in the job opening. It should not be a one-size-fits all job openings. Generic cover letters are transparent to the reviewer and normally do not do the required job of introduction.
There is a body of thought that although it is important to draft a well written cover letter that some human resource personnel and hiring mangers pay little or no attention to the cover letter. This may be true in some isolated situations but just like in personal introductions what is said and how it is said in the introduction will set the tone for the reviewing of the resume.
For example, if the job announcement stated the employer is looking for an industrial engineer with experience in a high volume distribution center you would point out this relevant experience in early in the cover letter. This would then lead to the second paragraph where you would highlight a quantifiable achievement working in this type of environment. This experience would not duplicate what was in the resume but rather supplement the achievements listed in the resume.
In this regard the resume is more important than the cover letter. Employment pros and personnel directors want to see a good solid focused resume, one that will provide enough information to let them make good decisions on your qualifications.
What has not place in the cover letter are the listing of achievements that do not match the job. If you were assistant comptroller, for example, and you are trying to take credit for your employer doubling sales in five years a statement like this just does not ring true. Employment professionals will respond negatively if you are trying to boast and brag in the cover letter. These experts will be skeptical about the cover letter and may just skim it before going on to the resume. If the cover letter is too obvious in its tone, the resume will have less of a chance for serious consideration.
Always remember, the main purpose of the cover letter is to show the company representative that the resume is from an individual who is truly interested in what the company has to offer. Managers and supervisors have become quite accustomed to recognizing a mass-mailed letter or a broadcast letter. These folks are looking for personal commitment and specific interest, not a shotgun approach of mailing a resume package to every company that has a job opening.
A good cover letter will generate a bit of interest before the manager actually gets to the resume. Quality writing in the cover letter is just as important as with any business communication. While the contents of the cover letter may not be quite so critical to resume success, an unfocused, sloppy, poorly written letter may be so obvious to the reader that your resume has no real chance.
In summary your cover letter is your introduction. In the first paragraph refer to the opening that you are applying for and where you learned of the opening. If appropriate, in your research of the company, you can add something that will indicate your interest. In the example of the industrial engineer job opening listed above you might mention something about new logistics technology that the company just implemented.
In the second paragraph you highlight achievements that are appropriate for the job opening. If they are looking for a particular certification and you have it here is the place to mention it. Last paragraph you sum up your interest and indicate you will call them to follow-up in a week or ten days.
Keep the cover letter to one page if possible. If your cover letter is a simple, direct introduction your resume is more likely to be read and you’ll be well on your way to the first interview.
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