Cover letters matter. The letter, which is more likely to be in the form of an email, is the vehicle that will drive your recipient to look at your attachment: the resume.
Anytime I’m asked if someone should write a cover letter I say, ‘yes, if you want the job.’ Not only does it demonstrate your interest, you get the chance to make your case if you do it well!
There are two examples that come to mind that show cover letters matter. In the middle of an interview loop one person I had been working with was stopped and complimented on his cover letter. He later got that job. Another person who has not completely embraced my cover letter formula has been told by a hiring manager that her rock-solid resume is being betrayed by her cover letter. She’s wondering what to do next. Are you?
Here are my tips for writing an effective cover letter.
