How important is a cover letter? What information should it contain? Should it be informal or formal language?

Answer 1

Very! A cover letter should include a brief introduction of who you are, the position you are applying for, and a short (very short) summary of your experience and/or qualifications. Formal writing only! I'll grab some links for you....

Answer 2

A cover letter is VERY important. It is your potential employers first look at who you are and what you are looking for.

That being said, a cover letter should contain:
1. A business format where you have your address as the header and the businesses address. Look in your Microsoft Office or Microsoft Works to use a template to set this up for you.

2. The salutation should contain a name by using the appropriate Mr. Ms. Miss salutation (Ex: Dear Ms. Smith:) - notice the punctuation at the end of the salutation (a colon :).

3. The body of the letter should be formal. This is the first chance the employer has to evaluate. I have known employers who would simply read a cover letter and dismiss applicants without even reviewing the resume. This being said, the letter should use formal language and not have contractions (it's, don't, etc.). Make sure to proofread the letter and make someone else proofread it too. Make sure your use of the following is appropriate:
Your, you are
to, too, two
their, there, there are.

As ar as actual content, you can get on any search engine and type in "cover letter for administrative assistant (or whatever position you are applying for)."

This link has great samples of cover letters.
http://www.quintcareers.com/cover_letter_samples.html

Good Luck in your job search!

Answer 3

A cover letter is extremely important, it is the first impression a recruiting or hiring officer gets of an applicant. Many people will not even ool at a resume that does not contain a cover letter.

The cover letter should contain formal language.

It is used as a tool for the applicant to describe thier skill and demonstrate (in writing) how those skills will benifit the comany. This is an applicants first chance to say "this is what I will add to your company" or "this is why you should hire me"

See the links below:

http://www.bestcoverletters.com/

http://www.careerlab.com/letters/

Answer 4

Hi - here it is:

The importance of covering letter depends on what job ur applying for and at what organisational structure it is? If you are applying for some responsible job, then covering letter is that much more important...

It should surely contain a brief summary of the skill, what job ur applying for and the formal introduction of yourself to the employer..

Being formal is always good. Some may think that you have a casual approach to your work, if ur informal.

Cheer

Answer 5

A cover letter is very important. It is what jumps out at the person. They are really busy, that is there first impression if they want to proceed at looking at the resume. As far as formal or informal, I think that depends on the job you are applying for.

Answer 6

A cover letter is essential and the language should be formal. It gives the person to whom the information is sent an overview of what s/he will read in the pages to come. Good luck.

Answer 7

Very important--never send a resume without one. Interviewers read the cover letter first to see if it's worthwhile looking at the resume. So it should sell you as worthwhile for the hiring manager to consider you. If you're responding to an ad, address the specific qualifications mentioned. I'd keep it respectful and businesslike.