A cover letter is a letter of introduction in which you present yourself to your prospective employer.  Of all the documents that form part of your application, it will probably be the first document that will be read.  It has to be clear, self-contained, simple and a good read the first time around.

The cover letter should be looked at as complementing your resume.  The two go hand-in-hand.  Don't repeat what is already in your resume.  Rephrase, shed a new perspective or emphasize what is in your resume instead.  A well-written cover letter will give a personal touch to your application, draw attention to your strengths and spark interest in the reader.  A recruiter that is impressed with your cover letter will pay more attention to your resume.

 

Avoid writing long cover letters and stick to what is essential to advance your application.  Address issues that are not addressed in your resume, such as why you are interested in the position, how you became aware of the opening, etc.  Avoid going passed one page and a half, unless you have very good reasons to do so.

Some experts argue that a cover letter is at best neutral.  This means that most of the time, it is the resume that will seal the deal.  This view is not shared by everyone.  For applicants that have a weak candidacy, the cover letter can often be the trump card to the job interview.  We hope that the cover letter tips in this section will help you improve the cover letter that you already have or, if you do not yet have one, form the basis for your cover letter to be.