Should I Write A Cover Letter?

When you are mailing in a résumé, it is necessary to send a cover letter. The cover letter is your way of introducing yourself and your résumé. The cover letter should have your name, address and phone number on the top of the page. Then just like a business letter, you have the company’s information on the left margin. If in the classified ad it has a contact name out that was your greeting, if it said something like Human Resources address you letter to Sir or Madam. Try not to write To Whom It May Concern, it really isn’t necessary to do that. They did not address their ad that way so you don’t need to address their letter that way.

When writing your cover letter, mention the ad that you are responding to as well as your interest in applying for the job. Try to summarize your skills into one of two lines in the cover letter but do not recite your résumé, that’s why you attached it to the letter. Try to keep the letter short maybe a paragraph or two. Explain why in the cover letter that you make a good asset to their company. Try to show a little of your personality in your letter but keep it professional.

Depending on the ad, sometimes it will ask you for salary history and requirements. It is Ok to incorporate these into your letter. Make sure your sentences flow and that there are no grammatical errors. Do not hand write a cover letter, it shows a great lack of professionalism. Borrow a computer or typewriter from someone if you don’t have one. Here is a checklist to follow when writing your cover letter:

• Use the same type of paper you have used for your résumé.
  
• Make sure that all of your words and names are spelled correctly.
  
• Sell yourself a little; make them interested in you enough to give you an interview.
  
• Make sure you are sending an original and not a copy. Sign the original in blue or black ink.
  
• It is ok to request an interview, you can simple say, I am interested in possibly coming in for an interview and discussing my résumé further.
  
• If you wish to research the company’s background incorporate what they do and why you can be an asset to them.