Like a powerful résumé and a good business suit, the cover letter is fast becoming indispensable in the job search. Perhaps no other single question is heard so frequently by career professionals… "Do I need a cover letter?"
The answer is a resounding Yes! A cover letter is an essentially a brief letter accompanying your résumé which first and foremost asks prospective employers to take their valuable time to read your résumé.
Ideally, your cover letter should match your résumé in format. It should be neither too short (one paragraph) or too long (most all of a page or more than a page). When at all possible, your cover letter should specify the date, as well as the name, title, company, department, and address of the individual for whom it is intended.
KEEP IT SIMPLE… Don't get too wordy. Start by thanking the individual for taking the time to read your letter and review your résumé. Next, recap a few brief points about yourself. Remember, they can get more information from the résumé. Make a case for what you can do for the company.
CLOSING THE COVER LETTER… Just as sales reps use the term 'close' to mean the final act of making a sale, you should use the last few lines of the cover letter to convince the employer to meet with you and explore hiring you. State that you would like to arrange a meeting at a convenient time, and that you will follow up and contact the individual for a reply. And finally, perhaps as a P.S. at the bottom, try a testimonial or accomplishment from your previous employment, such as, "I received three consecutive awards for outstanding performance in my most recent position with Johnson & Associates."
FOLLOW UP… A cover letter is often only as effective as the follow-up you conduct. Having taken the time to compose and send a personalized cover letter, you have every right to telephone and ask for some answer on your request for an appointment. While you may not land an interview in every case, you've set the stage to deserve a response.
Most employers read the cover letter AFTER they have checked out the résumé. Once they've given your résumé a once-over, they then actually read it as they spot sections which interest them. Ironically, the cover letter is reviewed at the end.
So, keep in mind, the cover letter is essentially your way of thanking the reader for his/her time, stating your value to the prospective employer based upon your knowledge of the company's needs, and setting the stage for following up to arrange an interview. Accomplish those goals, and you've covered it all!
After arranging the interview, particularly if it is to several days or even weeks away, a very brief two line confirmation note or letter is a great idea. Thank the employer for granting the interview and state that you are looking forward to the meeting.
Last but not least, if your cover letter and confirmation letter are successful, the thank-you letter after the interview is particularly helpful in boosting your stock. Incidentally, thank you letters are always more effective when you thank the interviewer for their interview style and include something personal (in good taste) gleaned from the interview.