Don't Mail Your Resume Without a Cover Letter

A cover letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself to the prospective employer and explain why you are interested in their company. It is also a great way to explain any irregularities in your resume before they actually review it. If you are applying for and thinking of sending a resume without a cover letter, unless specified by the employer, I recommend you strongly reconsider doing so.

Before writing your cover letter make sure you research each company you are applying to for a job. Apart from details provided in the advertised job, search for the company website, current and related news articles and business periodicals. Look at general Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss figures, company divisions, number of employees, new and future product or service developments, the countries they operate in, their competition and any other useful facts that will help you match your skills and create an impression.

You need to mention your name and contact details as well as those of the person you are writing to, including their title and position. The prospective employer’s contact details must be located in the left top corner, as is the rule for standard letter writing. You can mention the date before or after these details, leaving a line in between. Your details can either be place alongside the employer’s details, but indented to the right or at the end of the letter where you sign your name. In case a name for the person to contact is not available, mention the department or title as per mailing instructions mentioned in the advertisement. In such case you can start of your letter by ‘To whom it may concern’ or ‘Dear Madam or Sir’ as a salutation.

The first line in your first paragraph should indicate why you are approaching the company. If the job is an advertised one mention the exact position you are applying for, the date the ad appeared and the source of the ad. Write a line or two on aspects of the company that you researched and fit your skill set or the company’s general accomplishment in a particular field and close the paragraph saying how your experience and education are appropriate for the position. Keep it short and interesting so that the reader continues reading your cover letter.

The next section of the resume focuses on your skills and how they can contribute in fulfilling and exceeding the advertised job requirements, citing examples to prove your point. You can also use this section to explain any discrepancies or irregularities in your resume, making sure you have a concrete explanation that will not lower the chances of you obtaining this job. If you have a diverse and extensive work history, use two short paragraphs instead of one long paragraph.

The final paragraph is a summary of why you feel the company is an ideal match for you and how you can benefit the company and to bid the reader farewell. End with a call for action such as ‘I look forward to hearing from you’ or ‘I look forward to interviewing with your company’.

As with your resume, avoid grammatical and spelling errors, use a professional font and a good quality paper. Do not make the cover letter too short or it might seem you are a poor communicator. Use keywords that match the job requirement and link your skills with these words and backing up your claims with facts. Do not come across as overconfident and avoid general statements. Keep it simple and too the point. If you stick to these guidelines, your cover letter should help draw attention and interest towards your resume and land you a job interview in no time.