Resume Cover Letter

Do you want the job? Of course you do! Your first step is to craft an exceptional resume cover letter. Employers have tons of applications and resumes to wade through when they are seeking a new employee. If you are to stand out from the crowd you will need to write a cover letter that grabs their attention.

Your cover letter is your first and sometimes your only chance to make a positive impact on a prospective employer. It sets the tone for your resume and makes that all important first impression. Your resume provides the "facts" of your experience, education and skills but if the cover letter doesn't impress - your resume may never be seen.

With a well-written resume cover letter, you can guide a prospective employer through your resume so that your qualifications best match their hiring criteria. You can help employers understand gaps in your employment history. You can illustrate a key triumph at work and how you can do the same for the prospective employer. How about identifying a negative experience at work and telling how you took that learning and made a difference in your next job.

An exceptional resume cover letter can make all the difference.

Cover letters need to professional, direct and brief. But don't worry too much. You don't have to write a masterpiece in one sitting. The best plan is to take your time and complete the letter over a period of time. Plan to make several rewrites. Organize your main ideas for each section then tweak them each time you rewrite it or proof it.

Ensure that you mold your letter to match the employer's requirements. For example, if the job posting states that the job candidate must have two years of management experience, then be sure to point out your management expertise in the resume cover letter. If you don't enough experience then you may want to demonstrate how quickly you are able to learn and apply knowledge.

Important cover letter tips:

• • Use paper that matches your resume (white or ivory).


• • Use the same color and font size as your resume.


• • Keep it brief, no more than one page.


• • Write in your own words for a natural style.


• • Write a new cover for each job for which you are applying.


• • Proofread your cover letter for correct spelling and grammar.


• • Sign your cover letter.

When you think you are done go over it one more time. All your hard work will be discounted if your cover letter is filled with grammar and spelling errors. Submitting an error-free cover letter and resume is an essential first step.

A well-crafted cover letter requires planning and plenty of rewrites but the payoff could be the job of your dreams.

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