Whenever you send
out your resume, you also
need to attach
resume
cover letters with it. It doesn't matter if you are
sending out your
resume as a response to a classified or advertisement for a specific
position, or if you are sending it directly to an employer.
Resume
cover letters need to communicate with the person that is receiving
your resume why they should take the time to read your resume and what
you have to offer their organization.
A cover letter should say much, much more
than just announcing you
have a resume attached. Some people have the idea that this is all
that needs to be mentioned in the letter.
Basically, resume cover
letters tell the hirer why you are writing to them and why you are the
best candidate for the position. When creating the letter, you should
emphasize some of the specific skills and qualifications appropriate
for the job you are applying for.
By creating outlines for your resume cover
letters, you will be able
to plan the items that you need to include. Here is a basic outline
for your aid:
Your Address
City, State, Zip
Name of employer or person who is hiring
Name of Company
Company
City, State, Zip
Date
Dear (name of person who is hiring):
Your beginning paragraph should grab the
reader's attention. In this
paragraph, you will be telling the employer why you are writing the
resume cover letter. Make sure that you don't relate in the first
paragraph the position you are applying for. This is a great place to
show why you are interested in the company and what you know about it.
The middle paragraphs should create some
desire in the employer. In
these paragraphs, you will advertise yourself. You should give some
background information that will demonstrate your potential to be the
best choice for the position. You should be as straight-forward as
you can about the type of position that you want to have. You
shouldn't have the reader playing guessing games with you about what
you are interested in.
Before the closing paragraph, you will want
to refer the reader to
your qualifications that are contained in your resume or other
attached material.
At closing, you will want to ask for action.
This is the place to ask
for an appointment, suggesting a time when you will contact the hiring
person. You should also list here your dates of availability.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
Type your name here
Resume cover letters are essential when
applying for a position. They
give your employer a first impression of what you are about and what
you can contribute to their company or organization.
