Cover Letters That Get Results

An effective cover letter can make or break your chance of landing a job interview and getting your foot in the door. If you want to maximize your job search efforts and minimize the time it takes to find a job, you need a strong cover letter.

We've all heard that old adage you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. This couldn't be more true when it comes to getting an interview and landing a job. Your first impression is often what determines whether or not you'll even have the opportunity to tell your story and present your value proposition to prospective employers. Your first impression usually beings with your cover letter, so make it a good one.

Even if you've lined up an interview via an on campus recuiting center, or by networking through contacts, you're cover letter still counts. Prospective employers will review both your resume and cover letter prior to your interview to form a initial opinion about you. Some people believe that your resume and cover letter just aren't that important any more. This couldn't be further from the truth. At some point, a live person will review your resume and decide whether you're worth interviewing. A good cover letter will also help ensure that you're resume makes it on to someone's desk and isn't tossed in the digital waste basket.

True, some recruiters don't pay any attention to cover letters, but most do. Some recruiters won't even consider your resume if a cover letter isn't attached. Developing a strong cover letter ensures you're doing everything possible to land that first interview.

While it's always a good idea to include a cover letter with your resume, there are situations where it's critical. Below we'll explore a few situations where you most definitely should use a cover letter.

When a Resume Isn't Sufficient

The first, and arguably most important situation where a cover letter is required, is when you need to communicate vital information that shouldn't be included in your resume. Resumes need to follow specific formats and rules. It's typically not a good idea to add explanations or personal information (relevant or not) to a resume. In addition, most hiring managers will only spend a few seconds reviewing your resume. Any additional information on your resume that falls outside of the norm is likely to be missed, or ignored.

The following are few examples of situations where it's important to include a cover letter:

It's not uncommon for companies to request that salary requirements be included in a cover letter. While you need to comply, you also need to be very careful. When salary requirements are requested, it's typically in an effort to eliminate those candidates with salary requirements that are higher than what's been budgeted for the position. If the salary requirements you submit are too high, you may not receive an interview invitation. Conversely, if the salary figures you put in your resume are too low, you may end up receiving an offer less than what you're willing to accept.

Our recommendation? When submitting salary requirements via a cover letter, do your research. The internet is now full of reputable websites that offer data on pay figures for professionals working in just about every industry, position and location nationwide. Find the average salary for the position you're applying to in the region where you plan on working, then provide a salary range that is slightly higher and lower than that figure.

Remember, salary information should be included in your cover letter, not in your resume.

When Referencing a Contact

A cover letter is the appropriate and ideal place to reference a mutual friend or contact you have at the company. Attempting to introduce a network connect via your resume is pointless. Resumes are reserved for specific, fact-based information relating to your work experience, achievements and qualifications. When referencing a network connection, it's appropriate to do so in the opening paragraph of a cover letter.

If you're interested in providing a hiring agent or interviewer with a list of professional references, put together a reference sheet that is separate from your cover letter or resume. This can be given to the interviewer following your initial interview. In your reference sheet, make sure to include the first and last name for each reference, the company they work for, their title and their contact information. You may also be interested in providing letters of recommendation. These can be provided to the hiring manager AFTER you've completed your initial interview.

When You Want to Show Sincere Interest

Cover letters are a great way to show an employer that you're really interested in working for their organization--and that you've done your homework. A well thoughout cover letter can go a long way to demonstrating that you're truly interested in a position and not just another job-seeker submitting your resume to every job posting. Before creating this type of cover letter, make sure to research the company and position you're applying to. Be as detailed as you can when addressing what interests you about the position and the company, as well as you're fit for both.

Once you recognize the benefit of using a cover letter, you need to know how to develop one that gets results. How do you develop a cover letter that opens doors? What are the pitfalls you want to avoid? The following are simple, yet powerful, tips for developing a winning cover letter.