Master the Cover Letter on Your Resume

Make Your Resume Cover Letter Stand Out | Cover Letter Help

Writing your cover letter is important because it is the first page a hiring manager will see. Looking at resume cover letter samples and cover letter templates will help you perfect the art of mastering... the COVER LETTER. Anytime a resume is sent by mail it must be accompanied by a cover letter. The resume is an impersonal description of your qualifications, much like a product brochure. The cover letter is your opportunity to personalize your resume and target your skills to that specific employer. The effective job seeker will not send the same resume for each new job opportunity. Resumes need to be tailored for each position. Likewise, the same cover letter cannot be used in every situation. It also must be customized for each opportunity. There are a variety of cover letter formats, some of which are described below. Whatever format you use, be sure the letter conforms to acceptable standards for business letters.

Study the Job Description

Make it Easier On the Hiring Manager

Let's say you were a Project Manager for marketing in your previous role. You are applying for a position as a Marketing Manager who manages projects and the position duties are basically the exact same thing you were doing in your role as a Project Manager. Putting 'Project Manager' on your resume when you are applying for a position as a Marketing Manager can cause you to be tossed aside like a bad file. Why? It's the same position isn't it? Like I have mentioned above, these people are busy. They often get applications of candidates who do not possess applicable experience for their position. They might think you are one of those guys. They will judge a resume by its title. If you feel awkward about it, you can list your previous role as: Marketing Manager (Project Manager).

Don't Forget Anything on Your Resume

It is very important to make sure you have all your qualifications and skills listed in the resume. Skim the job description a couple times. Do you have a skill that is listed on the job description but not in plain sight on your resume? Imagine this: A hiring manager is going over your resume. It looks like a great fit for the position they are hiring for. They get excited, but wait- it doesn't say that you have bookkeeping experience, something that this job clearly has written out under their necessary qualifications. You have bookkeeping experience- 4 years of it in fact, but it's not on your resume.Oh well, they have several other good candidates in the running, and they toss you on their desk and forget about you-they don't have time to call you and ask if you had just 'forgotten' to add that to your resume. Too bad, you would have really been a good candidate and you would have really liked that opportunity. While there is a chance they would call you over just one qualification, to see if this is something you have experience in, there is a bigger chance that they won't. Don't leave it out.

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

#1. Focus the letter on the description of the job you are targeting

#2. Proper format is very important in formatting a cover letter

#3. Make sure you address the person you are writing

Name:
Email: