Resume Cover Letters: Quick Tips

Far from being a simple transmittal letter, an effective Resume Cover Letter serves as a reasoned and important complement to a resume.

That said, job hunters who treat Resume Cover Letters as afterthoughts are, in all likelihood, marginalizing their resumes and short-changing their employment chances. Simply stated, paring a good resume with a mediocre cover letter often leads to a quick rejection.

Preparing an effective resume involves planning, writing, and revision. But this same diligence also applies to preparing an effective Resume Cover Letter. As you draft your cover letter, keep the following quick tips in mind:

1. Determine the type of Resume Cover Letter you are writing, i.e., are you responding to a job ad or are you exploring job opportunities?

For job ads, the cover letter (and resume) should be focused on the particular experience, job specification, and skills outlined by the employer for the job in question.

When exploring job opportunities, the cover letter will be more general in nature, but it should still be focused on the types of jobs that are relevant for a particular industry or business. Do you homework!

2. Take time to reflect and answer the following questions:

*What position or type of position am I applying for?
*What do I have to offer this employer?
*Are my skills and experience what this company wants?
*Does my resume reflect the qualifications this company values?

3. Once you have answered the above questions, format your cover letter as follows:

*Salutation - Make sure you use the correct name and title.

For blind ads, use the listed P.O. Box Number. If posting your resume on an on line service, "Personal Profiles" are sometimes used in lieu of cover letters. As such, take the time to complete a thorough and up-to-date profile.

*Indicate your reason for writing - Refer to step 1.

*List your relevant experience, skills, training, etc. - Summarize from your resume.

*Identify your significant achievements - Describe with "action words" and be brief.

*Contact Information - Make it easy for the hiring company to reach you.

*Closing - Be enthusiastic and express gratitude for the consideration.

*Follow Up - State when and how you will follow up (letter or phone call).

In the end, think of a Resume Cover Letter as an advertisement for your resume. In other words, write a cover letter that will compel a prospective employer to read and evaluate your resume. Generic transmittal letters do little or nothing in this regard.