Use A Resume Cover Letter To Capture Attention
Why should you still include a resume cover letter when applying for a job? Imagine you are hiring for a position. You have a huge stack of resumes on your desk. How do you go through them and select the few you think deserve interviews and further consideration? One important tool for capture the attention of the potential employer is a solid resume cover letter
.
A good resume cover letter
should be no more than one page. It needs to include three basic sections. The opening should clearly state the position you are applying for, along with simple reasons why you are a top candidate. The body should then be your main sales pitch. You have to appeal to them and show them how you are different from others and why that's a good thing. Then in the closing, describe what action will be taken next. For instance, you can say that you will contact them in a week to follow up.
A good resume cover letter shouldn't be generic. It should also not be a summary of your resume. A resume cover letter is there to show the employer that you're special and interested. Some tips to help your resume cover letter stand out include using quotes from past employers about you. You could include a sentence like this: "Jane Smith is one of the best employees I have ever hired." Include the name and title of the person you are quoting, to give the testimonial more credibility.
You can also use your resume cover letter to show that you know how to research and be prepared. Do some homework on the company and figure out how to include a sentence or two that indicates the results of your research. A resume cover letter that shows you are thorough can really make you stand out.
One thing that should never be included in a resume cover letter is financial information. Don't say anything about how much you've made in the past, or how much you expect to make in the future. If a posting requests salary requirements, the resume cover letter is not the place to disclose it. If they are really interested in you, they can call and ask.
Using the information we've provided on this site, you can learn to enhance your resume cover letter and develop an edge when it comes to applying for a job. Don't miss our pages about Resume Tips
, writing good Resume Objectives
, and Free Resume Samples
elsewhere on this site.
