Cover Letters Have Evolved
The Internet and the job board have not made them extinct! If you send a resume with no cover letter you have lost your chance to make a good first impression. Now as in the past the purpose of the cover letter is to make a good first impression and to request an interview.
It is the drab, uninteresting ......
Dear Sir:
Please accept this letter and resume for the position of Court Jester, which was advertised in the Journal of Silly Jobs on February 29, 2010. After reading my enclosed resume, I believe that you will find that my work history and educational background make me an ideal candidate for this position.
I will look forward to an interview with you at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Sincerely,
.... style that is extinct.
Please accept this letter and resume for the position of Court Jester, which was advertised in the Journal of Silly Jobs on February 29, 2010. After reading my enclosed resume, I believe that you will find that my work history and educational background make me an ideal candidate for this position.
I will look forward to an interview with you at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Sincerely,
.... style that is extinct.
The New or Evolved Cover Letter Is a Sales Letter
Your Self-Promoting Cover Letter should do 5 -7 things.
The old, generic Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Hiring Manager may be used only if you are desperate! These salutations are not quite extinct because so much junk mail begins with these impersonal greetings.
If your best effort on the Internet and telephone do not provide you with the actual name to send your cover letter to, then begin with: Good Morning of RE: _______ Position
Enthusiasm and Tone
Your letter should convey your enthusiasm for the position, but its tone should also math the organization that you are applying to. When researching companies and organizations, try to get a feel for their "personality." Is the organization traditional or conservative or creative or entrepreneurial? Match your tone to their style.
- Immediately convey that you are a valuable person and you are looking to be hired.
- Tell the employer that you understand his/her organization and what you can do to benefit their organization in the future.
- Bring your personality to your resume. Your cover letter can suggest that you are cheerful, cooperative, open to new ideas. It will offer clues as to whether your personality fits the job.
- Emphasize the interest you have in the position and the skills and accomplishments you offer. Use the letter to show how you will meet their needs, but do not waste valuable space by paraphrasing your resume.
- Demonstrate your ability to communicate. Your letter proves that you can write clearly and articulately.
- Show that you are proactive. Unless the letter is part of a digital exchange, you can be proactive and tell the recipient when you will call to set up an interview.
- Provide an opportunity to explain any gaps in your work history. The letter can explain why you moved to a new location, a resolved health or family issue, or the transferable skills you acquired while raising children.
The old, generic Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Hiring Manager may be used only if you are desperate! These salutations are not quite extinct because so much junk mail begins with these impersonal greetings.
If your best effort on the Internet and telephone do not provide you with the actual name to send your cover letter to, then begin with: Good Morning of RE: _______ Position
Enthusiasm and Tone
Your letter should convey your enthusiasm for the position, but its tone should also math the organization that you are applying to. When researching companies and organizations, try to get a feel for their "personality." Is the organization traditional or conservative or creative or entrepreneurial? Match your tone to their style.