Your resume has been updated and polished. Now it's time to concentrate on the all-important cover letter.
Unlike your resume, which may look similar to many received by the HR manager, your cover letter can be as individual as your fingerprint. It will reflect your skill in putting together the thoughts that sell your talents and judgment. In short, it tells the reader who you are as a person.
So what makes a good cover letter?
Aside from the obvious--error free with perfect spelling, grammar, and punctuation--your cover letter should include proposed solutions for some of the challenges faced by the employer. You know these challenges because you've done your homework and dug into the company's background via brochures, websites and news items. Doing this separates you from the hordes of "I'm-good-with-people" applicants who invariably end up in the HR manager's round file.
The point is, cover letters should be fine tuned to the company and the position you're applying for. A large public institution will have different issues and concerns than a small private company. Your cover letter should reflect an understanding of these issues and, if possible, link your experience and skill set to those concerns.
Whatever you do, don't simply repeat the information that's on your resume. The letter must explain how the experience and job descriptions in your resume can be put to work for the position the company needs to fill.
A one- to two-page cover letter is best. Remember, your letter may be one of hundreds the HR director must wade through. Stay away from self-aggrandizing language—like "I'm the most qualified for the job." Sell yourself and your qualifications and let the reader "connect the dots."
Finally, ask for the interview.
For an additional perspective, check out this video:
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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