RESUME COVER LETTER

The Cover Letter briefly describes what you can do for the Employer.

The cover letter is your chance to tell a potential employer how your
skills will benefit the company. It is a golden opportunity to sell
yourself as the best candidate for the job. The most important thing
to remember is that your cover letter serves a separate function from
your resume and should not be used to repeat the details of your
resume, such as work history, education, or personal objectives. The
resume is about you, your experience and your skills. Tthe cover letter
is about what you can do for the employer.

Before you write the cover letter find out exactly what the company is
looking for then use the company’s own words (and stated desires)
when selling how your experience will benefit the company. To do this
effectively you need to keep in mind “features” and benefits.
Remember that a feature “tells” (i.e. resume information) and a
benefit “sells”! People and companies buy benefits as they answer the
question – “What’s in it for me?”

An effective cover letter must be concise. The first paragraph should
grab the Hiring Official’s attention. Use it to demonstrate an
interest in the company and the position, and to introduce yourself.
In the second part of the letter list five or six bullets highlighting
how your skills and experience will specifically meet the employer’s
needs. Close the letter by providing contact information and
indicating that if you don’t hear from them in a few days, you will
follow-up with a phone call. Be assertive but polite and do follow-up
with a call.