3 Reasons to Always Include a Cover Letter

In today's digital job market, impeccably designed resumes are commonplace. Candidates who include well-written cover letters with their resumes set themselves apart from the pack. A cover letter gives you a chance to showcase your personality, passion and superb writing skills and could be the link that gets you called in for an interview. There are many reasons why a cover letter is still very necessary to your job search.

A cover letter allows you to tailor your job application to the employer's job description. Your resume lists your hard skills and experience, but your cover letter speaks directly to the employer, allowing you to actually explain how your background and qualifications make you the perfect fit for the job. For instance, if you're applying for the sales manager position, your resume may list your five years of sales management experience. This is a great start, but your cover letter allows you to take it a step further and actually explain how your experience with particular clients in the past prepared you for a position with this particular company. Illustrating the connection between you and the position makes it that much easier for the hiring manager to imagine you working for them.

Your cover letter allows you to put your personality on display. Many hiring managers receive stacks upon stacks of resumes each day, with each one regurgitating the same tired information. A well-crafted cover letter with lots of personality draws attention to who you are as a person and potential employee, not just another candidate. You can share unique information about your interests and passions and show off your knowledge of the company and industry. Moreover, addressing your cover letter to a specific person adds even more of a personal touch because you're speaking directly to the person reading it and not just "To Whom it May Concern."

Lastly, your cover letter serves as an example of your competence and writing ability. Crafting a professional, neat and compelling cover letter shows that you know how to communicate effectively and eloquently. Short, concise paragraphs, good sentence structure and well-thought-out ideas all give an impressive view of you as a great writer and therefore a great thinker. This is why it is imperative to turn in a perfect cover letter, free of spelling and grammatical errors. Get a trusted friend or family member to proofread your cover letter, then proofread some more.

Cover letters may seem outdated to some, but they are still an integral part of any job search. The cover letter adds color and life to your resume, and without it, your resume may become one of the hundreds of resumes discarded by hiring managers daily. It's important to take the time and energy to write a thoughtful and attention-grabbing cover letter because it has the power to actually get your foot in the door.

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