You Need a Cover Letter!

A well-written cover letter can be one of the most important assets in a job search. Its purpose is to highlight your qualifications and to demonstrate interest in a position or company/organization so an interview will be arranged. Eliciting responses that result in interviews requires each letter be written individually and tailored to the specific employer. Without a cover letter the employer may never see your résumé.

Since cover letters introduce you to employers, it is important for your letters to reflect your personality and style. Through cover letters you communicate confidence in your abilities and a willingness to contribute to an organization. Create a letter that is conversational and positive, yet professional. Keep in mind that you want your cover letter to distinguish you from other applicants.

Guidelines

• Always send an original letter with your résumé.
• Send your cover letter to the highest-ranked employee possible so that it will receive immediate attention.
• Let the employer know which job you are seeking.
• Be brief and concise. Cover letters are rarely more than one page in length.
• Succinctly communicate your message to employers, using simple and direct language, without being stilted and overly formal.
• Stress what you can do for the employer, not what s/he can do for you.
• Be positive; cover letters are not for exposing idiosyncrasies and faults.
• Use action words.
• Type cover letters on "good paper," preferably the same weight and color as that of your résumé (The Sarah Lawrence Bookstore carries résumé paper).