Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeShades
Every article I have read online has said a cover letter is a must if you wan to stand out.
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I have given to staying out of this question (which comes up a lot) since one, there are many experienced, mature employers here who will give you valid pointers and two, there are as many opinions about this as there are atoms on the head of a pin, even, unfortunately, among recruiters.
There are 'professional resume writers' who are still telling people to write job description-oriented resumes;
Too many 'resume writers' are in fact, graphic artists, not resume writers.
Cover Letters-
Half or more of the world say to use one, the other half or more say not to.
The best suggestion I've seen here is to use one
if it is requested.
A Cover Letter is a Pre-Close. It is meant to give a thumbnail view of why someone should be hired.
It cites the job and ID#, addresses an appropriate person (not "to whom, etc.". Use LinkedIn and/or Google to find out who is doing the hiring for the position and then use that person's name and title), state the basic reason why you are a best choice, then list only two or three bullets of experience/accomplishment that demonstrate examples of why you are a 'best choice' (contrary to some here, yes, those bullets may come from your resume. IOW, it is okay to duplicate the bullets of your resume onto your CL.)
If you have any other particular reason why you should be considered, so state that reason (keep it brief!), then indicate either that you will follow up in a day or so or choose to say you 'look forward to hearing' from that person at their 'best convenience'.
Employers and Recruiters say they give a resume six seconds. If you have written your CL effectively, that six seconds on the CL will let them know that looking over your resume in detail will be to their advantage.
If they skip reading your CL, no harm done, especially if you have written an effectively written resume.
Now, back to what is an 'effectively written' resume......
Paul..............
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