While the Resume gives the full details on you and your experience, the cover letter helps sort and point out the relevance of that information to the position you’re applying for. In short, it is a teaser - something to try getting them to notice YOU out of all other applicants. The desired result is acquiring an interview in which you can show your stuff. BUT you first have to make an impression on them, that YOU are the one for the position! AND you want that impression to be the right one.

Remember though, without a proper Resume to back you up, the cover letter is worthless. And the best Resume in the world does nothing for you IF you send it without a cover letter.

What is a Cover Letter / Why do you need one?

The cover letter introduces you and gives a sense of who you are. The resume by itself is only a list of accomplishments. The cover letter helps show who you ARE.

Let’s face it, generally resumes for particular careers look the same – the cover letter shows how you are different.

UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE IN THE AD, SEND A COVER LETTER WITH YOUR RESUME.

I can’t stress this enough. I, and so many other professionals, immediately DUMP those resumes WITHOUT a cover letter. WHY?

1. If you can’t take the time, neither can I.
2. The cover letter lets me know that you have read the ad and have the important qualifications. As stated before, it gives a sense of who YOU are and why you are applying - other than the fact you want a job.
3. It is a quick way of telling who wrote this information, you or a hired company – does the cover letter match the Resume in tone, language used, info, font and setup? If not, chances are one or the other was totally written by a hired company – so I’m not getting your information, am I?

Back in February, I helped a medium sized corporation look for skilled employees – I was amazed that a few had IDENTICAL resumes and cover letters – other than names and addresses. Did they really think they could pull this off? One quick call to confirm their education or past experience would have immediately landed them in a fraud section of employment. I didn’t bother – both went into the circular file cabinet (garbage can to the uninitiated).

This past summer I helped a friend sort through a posting for a nanny – you would not believe the form cover letters we received!

This does not mean not to use Professional Help – just make sure both resume and cover letter give a sense of YOU. More on this later.

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