by Joyce Megginson Kircher, MBA, PRWRA
A cover letter is frequently dashed off as a trivial after-thought once the resume is written. Big mistake. A cover letter is the first thing that hits the reader’s eye, and if it doesn’t immediately grab the reader’s attention, is the only part of a resume package that meets the reader’s eye. The resume is never looked at and is trashed along with the weak cover letter if the letter didn’t do its job of arousing interest.
A cover letter should be written in a lively manner, should add some personality and spice to the fact recital in the resume, and should give the prospective employer a good reason for hiring you or your client.
Too often, the applicant gives reasons he or she wants to be hired: “to get more experience in …blah, blah, blah.”
The working world is not a charitable institution; it wants to know what you can do for the hiring entity.
Are you fluent in Spanish as well as in English, for instance? Then say so in your cover letter, even though you already have that information in your resume. Multilingualism is almost always an asset to an employer in this complex world.
You might also mention specifically why you want to work for the organization you’re applying to. Say why you’d be proud to be part of such a progressive operation and what you can offer to make it an even more successful one.
Mention that you have a particular talent for such and such, a knack for what have you, a gift for this and that — you get the idea! Sell yourself!
State that you would like to give at least two weeks’ notice to your present employer: look like a reliable person!
You might mention relevant facts that just do not seem to fit neatly anywhere in your resume.
Your cover letter is your great opportunity to wrap it all up and get your foot in the door!
Make it easy for the prospective employer to get in touch with you. Include contact information in the body of your letter as well as in the upper right portion of your letter.
Never tell a prospective employer to “feel free” to call you! He or she doesn’t need your pretentious permission to contact you! Just make it clear how to contact you.
Make sure that your answer machine has an enthusiastic, brief and efficient message that motivates a caller to leave a message in your absence. Then, of course, return all calls promptly.
And good luck!