What is a cover letter for?Should i give it with my reusme.?

Answer 1

The cover letter is very important for many reasons. It shows the potential employer your written communication skills and also makes you more human. Resumes all look alike. I would not even consider a candidate who did not include a cover letter.

Answer 2

A cover letter serves several purposes. FIrst, it tells the employer exactly which job you are applying for. This is important because a company might have dozens of open positions and if you just send a resume, the personnel department would have to try to figure out which one you are interested in. Unless they are desperate, they'll probably just throw your away.

I was teaching at a school that needed to hire a receptionist. We had over 200 resumes faxed or delivered to us. Those without a cover letter were culled without further attention.

A cover letter should also let the employer knowhow you heard about the job. Be specific if you were referred or if you followed an ad, Companies want to know which advertising works, so you've already done them a favor.

Next, you should sell yourself. A cover letter is your first opportunity to state what special qualities or abilities you would bring to this job and why you are the best candidate. Don't write a book, though, just a paragraph.

Finally, request an interview and give contact information, phone numbers, when you are available to speak with the employer and any other necessary information. Be sure if you say you can be contacted at set hours that you are available.

Do a little research if possible and address the cover letter to the personnel director or person hiring to the position you want by name instead of using "To whom it may concern." Be certain to spell their name correctly!

A cover letter or the lack of one can determine if your great resume even gets seen.

I would advise sending a cover letter whether mailing a resume or sending one electronically. If you are e-mailing or faxing, try to put as many specifics as possible on the cover sheet for a fax, and above your name on a resume form if possible.

Finally, don't make one stock cover sheet and use it for everything. Some content like contact information can be the same but personalize the letter to the job. Always carefully proofread and spell check your cover letter and resume and if possible have someone else read them for extra safety.

Answer 3

A cover letter is a summary of the reasons why you are the best candidate for the position. Its purpose is to make the reader want to read more about you in your resume and to get you an interview. It can help answer three questions that are often on the mind of the employer:

Can you do the the job? Show you have the right abilities, skills, knowledge and experience.

Will you do the job? Show are you are very interested in the work itself and that you ave the other attitudes necessary for success in the role and in the company.

Will you fit in? Show how your values and goals match the company's values and goals. Your language and stories can also demonstrate how you might fit in with clients and co-workers.
Your written communication skills are assessed by employers in your applications, and particularly in your cover letter. Employers may be assessing any of the following:

How well you structure written information.
How well and how clearly you express your ideas.
How well you target your communication to your audience.
Your grammar and spelling ability.
Your understanding of document formatting.
Your attention to detail in regards to typos and information.
Cover letters can also demonstrate your analytical abilities. Employers will be assessing how well you have researched the organisation and the position and how you have analysed and addressed the company's needs in the letter.

Include a cover letter with every application you make but don't use the same cover letter for different positions. Each letter should be specific to the position and the organisation. Employers recognise standard letters and will know you have not put in the effort they expect.

Answer 4

A cover letter gives the employer an overall view of what type of person you are and your abilities for the position you are applying for.

Always have cover letters with your resumes! It appears more proffessional and employers prefer it that way.

Even when you submit your resume over the internet, include a cover letter it actually goes hand in hand with your resume and could possibly get you that job because some employers look at your cover letter and decide that they don't need to see the resume if your cover letter is a good one!

Answer 5

A cover letter is like a great appetizer before the entree. It can make you stand out from other applicants. And yes, it's a good idea to submit one whether or not your applying via internet or in person. It's also a good idea to triple check your cover letter and resume for mistakes. These are usually the first things employers or HR departments look for. Resumes and cover letters that have mistakes get filed in the trash. Have someone you trust look it over as well.

Answer 6

It is very important!!!! You can write a powerful resume and list all your background information,education, experience, and your ambitions for future employment. This resume tends to get a little lengthy. The cover letter is like a brief summary of your resume and allows the potential employer to see at a glance what your general profile is about and if He is interested in you as a future employee, then He may want to look further into the resume. Go on line and look up cover letters and you can find info galore about sample cover letters and how to write appealing ones. good luck

Answer 7

A cover letter is just an over view of your resume and an inducting of your self. Use it to highlight the things that you have in common with the company you are sending your resume to. Yes send it with your resume and don't for get to send a thank you letter if you get an interview. Hand written is best but E-mail works these day!

Answer 8

YES! Always include a cover letter, it gives the hiring manager a quick snapshop of expirience as well as personality. I always look at a resume with a cover letter over one w/out. Don't use a template either! Personalize it to every company you apply to.

Answer 9

A cover letter kind of introduces you to the person who will read the resume. You should tailor it to fit the job you're applying for. In other words, don't send the same cover letter with every resume, make it fit the position you're seeking.

Answer 10

a cover letter isn't required in most cases but when you're applying for a job, you should go above and beyond what's simply required. typically a cover letter is structured in 3 parts. a) why you are writing this cover letter b) why/how you are qualified for the position c) what you are going to do next or expect them to do next. personally, i think that it's a great way to highlight your skills/attributes and give the whole application process a personal touch. your writing style, structure, form, language and grammar, etc. says a lot about who you are... (hope this helps and by the way you misspelled "resume")