Why a Cover Letter Is Essential to Your Job Search

One of the most common--and most damaging--mistakes job seekers make is neglecting their cover letter.

Getting a hiring manager's attention is first and foremost a marketing endeavor. Like a movie trailer, a cover letter encapsulates the main ideas and most compelling highlights of your career potential.

1. A sloppy or generic cover letter tells a hiring manager that you're not so special--and that you don't think this job opening is either.
2. A well written, focused cover letter tells a hiring manager that you go the extra mile, that you are committed to getting this job, and that you possess a drive for excellence that will carry over once you're hired. A great cover letter sets you apart from casual job seekers and can make all the difference between languishing at the bottom of a pile of resumes and winning the interview.

What can a cover letter do that a resume can't?

1. A cover letter can generate interest to convince a hiring manager to give the more extensive information in the resume full attention.
2. A cover letter can outline exactly how your qualifications match up with what the hiring manager is seeking.
3. A cover letter can address a specific company and a specific job posting, demonstrating that you really care about this job.
4. A cover letter can encapsulate your most compelling qualifications and dramatic achievements.
5. A cover letter can show your personality--your compulsion to crunch numbers, your drive to network new clientele, your inborn flair for customer relations.
6. A cover letter can put a positive spin on any negative or unusual career history.

Why do I need more than one cover letter?

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