What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter?

John Krautzel
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The purpose of a cover letter is to get a recruiter or hiring manager to schedule an interview. Without a strong cover letter, you stand a chance of being screened out of the hiring process if your resume doesn't give recruiters enough information to decide if you are a good fit for the company. If you are searching for a new job, follow these cover letter tips.

A cover letter should make a great first impression on potential employers. If your letter is filled with mistakes, recruiters might think you lack the ability to pay attention to details. Proofread your letter carefully before emailing it or sending it to recruiters via postal mail. With so many applicants applying for the same jobs, one typo is enough to eliminate you from consideration.

Your cover letter should demonstrate your knowledge of professional norms in the working world. If you use an outdated resume template or format your resume carelessly, the hiring manager might wonder if you are capable of using current technology and staying up to date on advancements in your field. It's OK to add some personal touches to your letter, but always make sure your letter makes a great first impression.

Make sure your cover letter contains enough information to persuade the hiring manager to invite you in for an interview. If your cover letter is not customized, there is a good chance you won't be able to convince hiring managers you have what it takes to succeed. Every time you write a cover letter, be sure to tailor it to a specific employer. Include information about skills and achievements that are most relevant to the open position.

Hiring managers should be able to get a sense of who you are as a person by reading your letter. Filling a cover letter with generic statements is not enough to impress hiring managers or make them want to know more about you. Instead of using generic phrases lifted from templates, use your own words to describe your qualifications.

Finally, your cover letter should explain any gaps in your employment history. Always explain what you did to maintain your professional skills during long employment gaps. For example, if you took time off to care for an ailing parent, emphasize the fact that you maintained a blog about your industry and continued to attend professional conferences and workshops to keep your skills and knowledge current.

If you are searching for your dream job, taking the time to prepare a customized cover letter can help you distinguish yourself from other applicants. Follow these cover letter tips to ensure you produce a letter that captures attention and makes hiring managers want to learn more about you.


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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Takysha please note that a cover letter should be created for each job for which you are applying. If the job posting specifically states to submit a resume only, then you are off the hook for creating a cover letter for that position. But most companies want to see both a resume and a cover letter. It's your introduction to that company so you want to create the best possible cover letter. Keep it simple and straightforward. Make sure that you check your spelling and grammar as this is one thing that hiring managers are adamant about. There are millions of examples of cover letters on the Internet if you need a little nudge in the right direction. We wish you all the best.

  • Takysha  Modique
    Takysha Modique

    I really never knew what was the purpose. But now that I do know I'm about to go create one now.

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