Cover Letters

Do I really need a cover letter?
What is a cover letter?
Important points to remember
Parts of a cover letter
The good news is...

Do I really need a cover letter?
This is probably one of the most common questions we hear at the Workforce Center!  And the answer is YES YOU DO!  We know you already spent hours creating a great resume and you're sick of writing.
But you spent hours creating a resume!  Don't send it off to employers without a proper introduction!

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What is a cover letter?
Your cover letter presents your intentions, qualifications and availability to a prospective employer in a concise and appealing format.  As your first chance to make a great impression, a personalized letter indicates you are serious about your job search.  Your resume can give the nitty-gritty of dates, places of employment and education, but your cover letter must entice the reader to consider you amidst hundreds, or even thousands of candidates for any one job opening.

Just as you would never show up unannounced at a prospective employer's door, your resume should never just appear solo on a decision maker's desk.  Your  cover letter is your first opportunity to introduce yourself, present your qualifications and show the search committee that you are a potential candidate for the position.
(by Peter Newfield for Monster.com)

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Important points to remember

• Personalize it to the company
  Anyone can reproduce a "canned" cover letter and hope for the best.  Instead, take a few minutes to personalize your letter to show a company you are serious about working there.  State the reason for your interest in the company.  Show that you have done your homework by mentioning company specifics such as a department, a new project or a recent acquisition.  Address the cover letter to a specific individual whenever possible.

• Remember the purpose of sending the cover letter
  Cover letters should be clear and to the point.  Include the specific job title, two to three reasons why your experience makes a good fit and a brief outline of your career highlights.

• Highlight your strengths
  You many be a great person and never call in sick, but prospective employers really want to know why they should consider you for this position.  Brag a little!  Give a few facts, list relevant skills and state accomplishments on recent jobs that will be impressive.

• State your intentions and qualifications right up front.
  Don't expect a senior personnel manager or recruiter to wade through a mishmash of information on your cover letter before understanding why you are sending your resume.

• What makes you different?
  Emphasize your skills, talents and experiences to show how you would be a valuable addition to the team.  If you have relevant volunteer or professional experience, mention it briefly in your cover letter.  For example, if you are an accountant who serves as a volunteer treasurer for a nonprofit community health organization, include that information.  Or, if you are an international sales rep who has lived in Europe and Asia and speaks several languages, add that to your letter.

• No negative information
  Never include personality conflicts with previous employers, pending litigation suits or sarcastic remarks, in your cover letter.  If you are bad-mouthing your present place of employment, interviewers may fear a repeat performance from you.

• Should you include salary and/or relocation information?
  The rule of thumb is to always salary requirements and/or salary history in the cover letter if a prospective employer requests it.  For example, you could write:  "My salary requirements are $60,000-$75,000 (negotiable)".  Or you might write:  "My current salary is $53,000 at XYZ Corporation".  Eliminating this information from your cover letter may justify your resume getting tossed out. 
  ****Never include salary and relocation information on your resume.***

• Take action steps
  Take a proactive approach in your cover letter.  State the fact that you are available for a personal interview; give you home, work, email and/or cell phone numbers when you can be reached; note that you will follow up by phone (whenever possible) to provide any additional information required.

• Be direct!
  A professionally written cover letter and resume can open the door to your next position on the corporate ladder or to a new career in a different field.  A clean, error-free presentation, combined with strong phrasing and solid facts, will encourage the reader to review the attached resume and call you in for an interview.

(by Peter Newfield for Monster.com)

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Parts of a Cover Letter

Your cover letter should contain the following information:

• Your name and address

• The date

• The name and address of the person and company to whom you are sending your resume
  If you don't know the person's name, there are many ways to find out!  Try calling and asking the receptionist at the company.  Confirm spelling at that time as well.

• The salutation
   ("Dear Mr." or "Dear Ms." followed by the person's last name.)  Avoid using "To Whom it may concern".  This sounds like you didn't do your research or you are using the same standard letter for every employer.  Personalize your cover letter to the reader!

• An opening paragraph explaining why you are writing
  (in response to an ad, the result of a previous meeting, at the suggestion of someone you both know) and indicating that you are interested in whatever job is being offered.

• One or two more paragraphs that tell why you want to work for the company
   and what qualifications and experience you can bring to that company.

• A final paragraph that closes the letter
  and requests that you be contacted for and interview.  You may mention here that references and/or samples of your work are available upon request.

• The closing
  "Sincerely," or "Yours Truly," followed by your signature with your name typed under it.

See an example of the parts of a cover letter.

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The Good News Is...

A cover letter should not be more than one page in length.  (Not too much more writing!)
The language should be polite, businesslike, and to the point.  Do not repeat information that you covered thoroughly in your resume.
(from Resumes for College Students and Recent Graduates, 2nd Ed. Copyright 1998)

There are classes offered here at FC on business writing.
Consider taking BUS 111-Business Communications (fulfills FC College English graduation requirements)
or 211-Writing for Business (Required for all Business Administration majors at CSUF, transferable course).
Business writing is a valuable skill that you will use, no matter what your career goals are!

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