Covering The Basics In Cover Letters

It's the age-old question from job seekers: Must every resume be accompanied by a cover letter? The answer, according to professional career counselors, is a resounding yes. And not just any cover letter. It must be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.

What makes a good cover letter? For starters, there must be no spelling errors or typos. It should be addressed to a live person. Avoid using "Dear Hiring Manager" by finding the name of the company's human resources contact or recruiter. You can find this information by logging on to the company's website or calling the main phone number and asking a receptionist for the name and title of their corporate recruiter. Once you
have a contact name, experts recommend using the person's formal title such as "Mr.," "Ms." or "Mrs."

Recruiters also recommend that job seekers state which job they are applying for in the very first paragraph and that they include other specific details such as a job ID number if one was provided and where they heard about the opening. The reason for this much detail is simple: many recruiters are responsible for multiple openings within their companies and must be able to determine which job you application is targeting. Including this vital information will take out the guesswork and will improve your
chances of both landing in the right hands. If you were referred to the company by an employee, be sure to mention this in your letter as many companies have employee referral programs.

The body of your cover should reflect your personality. One of the objectives of a good cover letter is to make a personal connection with the reader. Gone are the days when you could simply change the name of the company in your salutation, attach it to your resume and fire it off to the post office. Corporate recruiters see right through these types of letters and recognize them for what they are - a lazy person's attempt to find a job!

A winning cover letter will require some research into the company's history and recent accomplishments. It should show the reader that you have some knowledge of their company and that you made an informed decision when you decided to apply for a job at their company.

When writing your letter, keep the requirements of the job in mind and address them specifically. Remember, it's not what the company can do for you; it's what you can do for the company that counts. Your letter should be brief, easy to read, and always include your full name, address and phone number in case your cover letter becomes separated from your resume.

Experts also suggest that you ask for an interview in your cover letter. Tell your prospective employer when you will call him or her to arrange an interview and follow through. You'll greatly increase your chances of winning a face-to-face interview if you follow up by phone after applying for a position for which you are qualified.

If you are still unsure about where to begin when writing a winning cover letter, your local library and bookstore has numerous guides that are filled with samples of dynamic cover letters that you can use as a guide. You can also search a variety of career and job sites on the Internet for samples of cover letters.