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3. When sending a resume to an employer, it is often appropriate
to include a cover letter. The purpose of a cover
letter is to introduce
yourself, explain your reason for contacting the employer, and to sell
yourself as a desirable candidate for employment.
A cover letter may be
your first contact to an employer, or it could be a follow up from a pre-
vious meeting. If it is a follow up, remind the employer about your in-
teraction to help him or her recall the original meeting.
4. A cover letter should explain your reason for contacting an em-
ployer. There are two types of cover letters: letters of inquiry and letters
of application. A letter of inquiry is written when you want more in-
formation regarding potential job openings.
A letter of application is
written when you know specifically which position you would like to
obtain and to inform an employer of your qualifications for employ-
ment. In both types of letters, you should include information that you
already know about the employer and/or position and why you are in-
terested in working for the company. This shows your interest and
demonstrates that you have taken the time to research the company.
5. A cover letter should be used to sell yourself more effectively to
a potential employer. In a resume, you have
limited space to outline
yourself and your experiences. In a cover letter, you have much more
space to highlight your skills and what you can contribute to the com-
pany. You can use the letter to expand upon your best qualities or most
important experiences or achievements. You can also emphasize infor-
mation that di-rectly relates to the position for which you are applying,
furthering your chances for consideration. It also allows you to demon-
strate your written communication skills.
6. Cover letters should be personalized and should be prepared in-
dividually with each job application. They should be addressed to a
specific person, not just a company or department.
You can find em-
ployee addresses in directories on the company website or through a
personal inquiry. CareerSearch® is a web-based employer research sys-
tem, and the VAULT Online Career Library are two other ways to re-
search companies and find contact information. Cover letters should be
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no more than one page long and should be produced on the same paper
as your resume and reference sheet. Also, be sure to double-check
grammar and spelling to avoid unprofessional errors, and use an orga-
nized and neat letter format.
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