Top Seven Cover Letter Myths
1. A cover letter is not as
important as a resume.
A cover letter is just as important, if not more, than a resume.
If an employer LIKES what they see in your cover letter, they
will be more likely to LIKE what they see in your resume (this is
called the "halo effect" for you psychology buffs). If
an employer DOES NOT LIKE what they see in your cover letter,
they may never get to your resume!
2. A cover letter is intended
to give an employer an overall understanding of your past.
A cover letter should give an employer an understanding of WHAT
YOU CAN DO now and in the future. It should not be an extensive
description of your past.
3. Your cover letter is
simply a repeat of your resume.
A cover letter should "personalize" your information
and identify how your skills and experiences are directly
relevant to the position you are applying for.
4. You should try to dazzle
an employer with a cover letter that is filled with large, fancy
words.
Keep your cover letter clear and to-the-point. If you can replace
a large word for a clearer, more concise word, DO IT (i. e.,
repairfix, assistancehelp)!
5. Cover letters should be
written in paragraph style with no variation.
Just as in vocal communication, you can emphasize your most
important points in a cover letter.
To do this:
- Use bullets to emphasize relevant qualifications
- Use underlining or bold to emphasize a word or phrase.
6. It does not matter what
kind of font/printer/paper I use to create a cover letter.
These components of a cover letter a very important, especially
if you will be sending your resume and cover letter through the
mail. Ensure that your cover letter is visually appealing by
printing it on a laser printer on high quality resume paper (your
resume and cover letter should be printed on the same paper).
7. A cover letter should
begin with the salutation, "To Whom it May Concern".
Try your best to find the name of the person who will be receiving the letter. If this is not possible, use a position title in the salutation (i. e., Dear Department Chair:)
That's not all! Check out our Six Surefire Ways to Make Your Cover Letters Stand Out From the Rest or our Dazzling Sample Cover Letters.
Copyright © by Internweb.com.