Tracy Davidson

In the job market? What do you really need to know about sending your resume? After spending countless hours getting your resume prepared with excellent content and no spelling or grammatical errors, the last thing you want to think about is a cover letter, right? Wrong!

The cover letter is and can be just as important as the resume. It is your personal entrée depicting yourself to your potential employer. Most importantly it is your first communication as a possible employee, so there is no room for error!

What do you say in a cover letter? We recommend keeping it short and sweet. The cover letter is usually a quick read before opening your resume so you only have a few short moments to make an impact. It can include a brief introduction to why you feel you are the candidate for the position. Provide one or two examples or factual evidence to why you are the candidate for the job. You may also consider including in a sentence what brings you to the market. Make sure you close with your interest in the company along with your availability to answer questions or for an interview. Of course, thank them for their time and write your salutation.

Don’t forget: read and reread this letter, you do not want to have any mistakes or punctuation errors. Ask for a second pair of eyes to double check your final draft.

A recap for writing a cover letter:

• Research the name of the person receiving the resumes; address them by name.

• Dear “Mr/Ms x”:

• Do not write: To Whom It May Concern or Dear Sir/Madam:

• Do not attach the Cover Letter in a separate document, instead make your cover letter the body of your email or attach it in your comments.

• Customize each cover letter unique to each position/company.

• Do not use a canned letter.

• Keep it short and to the point.

• Introduce why you feel you are good for the position, use facts.

• Highlight your key experience/s that will get you the interview.

• State your enthusiasm and interest in their company.

• Include your contact information.

* As a reminder your resume should include your accomplishments and the value added which you provided to your employers not just a laundry list of what you have done. Consider including in your resume: overview/summary, chronological experience, job titles, dates of employment, technical skills, awards/accomplishments and education/certification.

By: Kristin Kane, Kane Partners Staffing Solutions | www.kanepartners.net

Tags: consumer, economy, jobs, résumé, unemployment