Whether it’s an email, a letter, or even a text message, we’ve all been on the receiving end of an important message from an employer. Since your resume is often your first impression with a potential employer, you’ll want to make sure that it’s written in a way that will impress them and get you noticed.
So let’s talk about what makes a good cover letter so great!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A well-written cover letter can help you stand out from other job candidates. |
| Including a personalized cover letter with your job application is generally a good idea, even if it is not required. |
| Cover letters provide an opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications in a way that a resume alone cannot. |
| To write an effective cover letter, tailor it to the specific job you are applying for and highlight your relevant skills and experience. |
| Make sure to proofread your cover letter carefully before submitting it to avoid typos and other errors. |
How Do I Make A Cover Letter?
Have you ever wondered, “What do I need to include in a cover letter?” or “How do I make a cover letter?”
In this article, we’ll be looking at how to write the perfect cover letter that will get your foot in the door and put your best foot forward. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what goes into writing an effective cover letter and where to find free templates.
We’ll also go over some tips on how to avoid common mistakes many job seekers make with their cover letters by following these tips so that you can have an edge over other candidates vying for the same job opening!
A well-crafted cover letter can be the difference between landing an interview or being passed over for a job. Check out our article on how important is a cover letter when applying for a job to learn more about why you should always include one in your job application.
Should I Send A Cover Letter?
It’s a common misconception that a cover letter is a way to explain your resume. It isn’t. Your resume is supposed to do that, and it does so very effectively already.
A cover letter should be your opportunity to tell the employer why you’re interested in the position, why you think you’re qualified for it, and how your experience makes you an ideal fit for what they need (which may not be what they asked for).
Should I send a cover letter? Yes! But make sure it’s relevant and tailored to each job opening — otherwise, its effectiveness will be lost on employers who are just looking at numbers instead of people.
Do Employers Look At Cover Letters?
It’s hard to say exactly how many employers look at cover letters when hiring a candidate. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), just 28 percent of employers always or usually review them, while 58 percent never read them. The rest said they did so on an ad hoc basis or sometimes.
Some fields are more likely than others to use cover letters, according to SHRM research:
Engineering and technology firms were among those that most often said they always or usually looked at cover letters when hiring candidates (44 percent). In contrast, only 10 percent of public sector organizations said they always examined these documents the lowest percentage across all industries.
Among those who do look at job applications with attached resumes and cover letters, most tend not to spend much time reviewing them just 6 minutes on average per candidate according to SHRM data.
What Should Be In A Cover Letter?
For example, if you’re applying for a writing position at a company that publishes books, make sure to mention that in your cover letter. You can also add something about why you’re interested in the company or specific details about its mission statement or history. Another good idea is to reiterate why your skills are a good match for this job.
When you get down to it, however, don’t worry too much about formatting or length: Keep it succinct and professional (no more than two pages). The main thing is that it should be tailored specifically for each application so as not to come across as generic and not copy-and-paste from an old one!
A resume and cover letter work together to give employers a comprehensive understanding of your skills and experience. To learn more about how these documents can help you land your dream job, check out our article on how a resume and cover letter help you to get the job.
Do You Need To Include A Cover Letter With Your Resume?
Whether or not you need to include a cover letter with your resume depends on the type of job you’re applying for and how it fits into the employer’s hiring process.
Here are some examples:
Applying for a full-time job? You should always include a cover letter! A cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself as an employee, explain why you want the position, and how you can help the company with its needs. It shows that you know what makes a good fit between employee and employer and it shows that you want this job more than anything else.
Applying for an internship? The rules change here because most internships don’t require resumes at all. Instead, they typically ask for letters of intent or interest in working at their company (which is basically what a cover letter does).
So no need to worry about including one unless specifically asked; if so, do exactly as above: Sell yourself as someone who wants this position more than anything else!
Volunteering? Same story here there’s rarely any benefit from including a resume in volunteer applications anyway (unless there’s one!).
Feel free to use those limited space requirements on selling yourself instead; after all, volunteering isn’t just about doing good work but also meeting new people and making connections that could come in handy later down life’s road.
Should You Always Send A Cover Letter When Applying For Jobs?
In a nutshell, the answer is yes. In some cases, your cover letter will be the only thing standing between you and the job offer. But in other instances, you might find that it’s unnecessary to send one. The following section will help you determine whether or not it’s worth your time to write and send out a cover letter when applying for jobs.
Does the job posting require a cover letter?
If so: SEND IT! This is one of those rare instances where there are clear-cut rules and exceptions (which we’ll get into later).
If they ask for a cover letter and tell you what they’re looking for in their listing description, then this means that it’s something they genuinely want from applicants and as such should be included with your application materials if possible.
Is there no mention of what type of documents should be attached to my résumé? Do I need anything other than résumés sent in response?
No mention is made about needing any additional information from applicants OR how many documents should be attached at what stage during an application process (i.e., after submitting an initial application form), OR how long these additional materials can take before being reviewed by hiring managers.
Then continue reading below because chances are good that sending over any extra materials could end up hurting rather than helping your chances!”
Writing a cover letter can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out our article on how to start writing a cover letter for tips on how to begin and what to include in your cover letter.
Is It Ok Not To Send A Cover Letter?
Yes! If you’re an active job seeker and sending out resumes, a cover letter is always important.
The truth is that a cover letter will give you room to show off your personality as well as demonstrate why you’re the perfect candidate for the position. A cover letter can also help differentiate you from other applicants who are also applying for that role.
If there’s one thing we know about hiring managers it’s this: they want to hire people who stand out from the crowd and fit in with their company culture (read: they want to hire YOU).
So go ahead and send along a great cover letter it’ll help get your foot in the door so that when they meet with you during an interview process, they’ll see how amazing personable qualities like yours are!
Are Cover Letters Worth It Anymore?
As you can see, cover letters aren’t always necessary. They serve as more of an extension of your resume than a separate statement of qualification. A lot of the same things that can be said in a cover letter can also be mentioned in a resume or CV you don’t need to repeat yourself!
If you decide to write one anyway and send it along with your resume, make sure it’s clear and concise. Cover letters serve as introductions for potential employers when reviewing applications so make yours stand out!
Do You Always Have To Send A Cover Letter?
The answer to this question is “no,” but you don’t want to be the person who doesn’t send a cover letter. Here are some scenarios where you might not need one:
You’re applying for an entry-level position. In this case, your resume should serve as the primary way of communicating with employers and getting them interested in hiring you (or at least getting them to call back). A cover letter would only serve as a distraction from your qualifications.
Your resume is great and speaks for itself! Your resume probably won’t get read if it’s accompanied by a well-written, interesting, and informative cover letter that doesn’t add anything new or helpful. If this is true for you, then why not just skip the whole thing?
You’re applying for an internship or volunteer job where there is no salary requirements or benefits package attached in other words, nothing that would require negotiation based on financial needs (including health insurance coverage), which requires more than just explaining
Why you’d be good at what they do but also how much money they’ll have left over after paying all those bills every month so there’s no reason why anyone needs an explanation of why we should hire them because these jobs don’t involve any kind of bargaining process at all.
Cover letters are an essential part of any job application, and knowing how to write an effective one can give you an edge over other candidates. Check out our comprehensive guide on all you need to know about cover letters for tips on how to make your cover letter stand out.
Are Cover Letters Necessary In 2022?
It depends. The short answer is that cover letters aren’t always necessary, but in many cases, they are still a good idea.
In some industries and job roles, cover letters are required for all applications. For example, it’s common for HR departments across industries to require candidates to submit a cover letter as part of their application packet.
This is especially true if you’re applying for entry-level positions or internships with companies that don’t have a lot of turnover among employees (e.g., law firms). A well-crafted cover letter can make the difference between being considered seriously versus being ignored entirely!
But even if no one asks you to include one in your job application, there are compelling reasons why you should still write one:
Is It Ok To Not Send A Cover Letter For An Internship?
The short answer is yes! Cover letters are an excellent way to differentiate yourself from other applicants, and they’re especially important for internships because they allow you to “sell” yourself as the ideal candidate.
In a cover letter, you can show the employer that you have put some thought into why you want to work for their company. You may even be able to mention experiences or skills you have which make you particularly well-suited for the job.
For example: “I’m currently studying accounting at State University and am particularly interested in working with X Corp because I’ve developed software programs similar to theirs while completing my capstone project on AI data processing.”
If this doesn’t apply directly or indirectly, there’s still no reason not to include one or both of these sentences in your cover letter!
Should I Include A Real Or Fake Address On My Resume And Cover Letter?
When it comes to including an address on your resume and cover letter, there are a few options. You can use your real address, a fake one, or one that’s close to the job.
The most common question is whether you should use your actual home address or create a new one for job applications. The answer depends on several factors, including whether you’ve been laid off in the last three years and what company is hiring.
If you’ve been laid off within the last three years, consider using an old address on your resumes so as not to tip off potential employers about where you live now and thus whether they’d be eligible for relocation costs if they hired you.*
The purpose of a cover letter is to showcase your qualifications and persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. To learn more about how cover letters work and what to include in them, check out our article on how do cover letters work.
Do Handwritten Thank-You Notes Still Matter Today, Or Are Email Thank-Yous Sufficient In Most Industries These Days?
Handwritten thank-you notes are still very much in vogue, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. When you handwrite a note, it’s considered more personal than an email.
And while there may be some situations where an email thank-you is perfectly acceptable like if you’re applying for a job at a place that requires only short responses or where you’ve already been granted an interview a handwritten note is always better when the situation calls for one.
Handwritten notes shine because they:
Make your recipient feel special. They know that their time and attention have been appreciated, which makes them feel good about themselves and about doing business with you (or working with you).
Are memorable. It takes effort to sit down and write out your thoughts on paper, so whoever receives your card will likely remember who sent it and possibly even what was written inside!
Conclusion
In short, a cover letter is an important tool for getting your foot in the door with potential employers. However, it’s not always necessary and should be used only when it makes sense for your particular situation. If you’re unsure whether or not you need one or how to write one, check out our tips above!
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about cover letters, check out these helpful resources:
Are Cover Letters Necessary? – This article explores the pros and cons of including a cover letter with your job application.
Why Cover Letters are Important – This resource provides insight into why cover letters are important and how they can help you stand out in the job market.
Do Employers Care About Cover Letters? – This article answers common questions about cover letters, including whether or not employers actually read them.
FAQs
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume and provides additional information about your skills, experience, and qualifications. It is typically used to introduce yourself to potential employers and explain why you are a good fit for the job.
Why are cover letters important?
Cover letters are important because they provide a more personalized introduction to your job application. They allow you to showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications in a way that a resume alone cannot.
Should I always include a cover letter with my job application?
While not all employers require a cover letter, it is generally a good idea to include one with your job application. A well-written cover letter can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing an interview.
What should I include in my cover letter?
Your cover letter should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for and should highlight your relevant skills and experience. It should also include an introduction, a body that explains why you are a good fit for the job, and a closing statement.
How do I write an effective cover letter?
To write an effective cover letter, start by doing research on the company and the job you are applying for. Tailor your cover letter to the specific job and highlight your relevant skills and experience. Make sure to proofread your cover letter carefully before submitting it.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.