A resume cover letter is a concise letter, as long as one page, that accompanies your CV or resume. Generally, you send it to prospective employers in response to an advertisement, or when contacting a company to inquire about unadvertised vacancies. A resume cover letter is a reflection of you personality and a great way to introduce yourself to an employer. However, many people overlook and underestimate the power of their resume cover letters.

Writing A Cover Letter

Your resume cover letter should be drafted carefully to eliminate grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Make sure the language is simple and professional. Often, people simply rewrite their work history in their cover letters. Your potential employer has already gone through your resume. Why would he want to read the same stuff all over again in your cover letter? Usually, employers quickly scan through your resume to determine if you are worth considering. If they feel you have the required skills and expertise, they return to your resume cover letter. Your cover letter should be typed and addressed to the right person (note: ‘dear HR’ doesn’t count).

Resume Cover Letter Content

In the first paragraph introduce yourself and clearly state your purpose of writing. When applying for a specific job, you should specify where you saw the ad or how you found out about the job opening. The next step is to cite a few examples to demonstrate your abilities. Put emphasis on the keywords specified in the job advertisement. By doing this, you will grab your potential employer’s attention. Do your homework and gather information about the goals of the company. By addressing their major concerns and proving that you have the necessary expertise you will clearly stand out from the crowd.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Sometimes, people use the same resume cover letter for all jobs and employers, simply changing the “to” section before sending it. However, writing a common cover letter will defeat the very purpose of writing it. You can include some of the same content in all your letters, however, make sure that you customize your letter to add important details about the unique requirements of each company and your relevant expertise. Highlight other important achievements in addition to your academic accomplishments in your cover letter. And last but not least, don’t forget to change the name of the company before posting your cover letter.

Most people pay more attention to their resume than their cover letter. This is a mistake that you should not repeat.