Writing

Is a cover letter really important? Yes! The cover letter is another way for you to show potential employers that you have excellent communication skills. It’s a sales tool and should highlight any skills you have that are directly required for the job.

The hiring manager will read your cover letter first. The cover letter should convince them to read your resume. This is your chance to set yourself apart from all the other resumes.

A poorly written cover letter will only get your resume put in the trash. It should not be an afterthought because the hiring company required it when applying for a job.

So what do you put in a cover letter? Tailor your opening paragraph to the position specifics. The ad or job description tells you exactly what the hiring company wants.

Next, you should tie your skills directly to the position requirements and how you can directly help the hiring company. Highlight skills from your resume to give the hiring company a preview of specific skills. For instance, did you improve the sales cycle or improve customer satisfaction? Make sure you are tying these highlighted skills directly back to the requirements of the position designated by the hiring company.

Close your cover letter by asking for an interview to discuss your qualifications in more detail. Make sure your name, phone number, and e-mail address are provided on your cover letter. You want to make it easy for the hiring company to get in contact with you. And remember, you are making the first impression, so grammar counts and always spell check, spell, check spell check!