Cover letters are necessary when sending your resume in the mail, but remember to keep your cover letter short. A cover letters purpose is to obtain an interview, not tell a lengthy story. The focus should be on your qualifications, and setting up an interview. There are two types of cover letters - specific and general. The specific cover letter is directed at a specific company, specific person, and position. The specific cover letter personally addresses the companies needs. It also sends a positive message to the employer that you are truly interested because you took the time to write an individual letter. A general cover letter is often addressed Dear Employer, (with date omitted) and emphasizes your qualifications in hopes that a position will be available to utilize your skills. General Questions about Cover Letters: Q: When writing a cover letter should you be confident and full of yourself? Will this sway the employer in either direction? A: You should be confident and purposeful, but not arrogant.
Q: What is the proper salutation when the person is unknown? Dear Sir or Madam? I never have liked Madam. A: Try one of these: Dear Manager:, Dear Hiring Manager:, Dear Executive:, or Dear Recruiter:.
Q: I am having problems handling the "send cover letter with salary history" issue. How do you address this? Employment counselors have told me never to put salary in a cover letter. On the other hand, I have been told by employers that if they request salary history and the prospect fails to include it, they overlook the candidate. HELP!! A: It's a double bind--and there's no way to win. If you don't include salary history, they may screen you out for not following directions. If you do include it, you could be screened out because you're too expensive. Best bet: put something in. Admit you've been earning $20,000, if you're happy with that. In the letter, say something like: "My compensation in recent years has been in the $17-20,000 range." That might cover you if they want to pay less. If you're brave, you could say, "My compensation in recent years has been in the $17-22,000 range." That way they might possibly pay you more.
Q: I was wondering if you could help me with a tactful way to state in my cover letter not to contact current employer because that employer doesn't know I am shopping for better employment and may leave my job? How do you ask for "confidentiality" without sounding sneaky?? A: Asking for confidentiality doesn't sound "sneaky." It's standard business practice and it's done all the time. On the line right before "Dear Mr. Smith," type PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL in all caps, and underline it. At the end of the letter, after your signature, type something like: "P.S. For obvious reasons, I must request absolute confidentiality."
Q: A few months ago I turned down a job offer for the same money I'm making now. My situation with my current employer has changed and I have discovered the new company is still hiring. How can I form a letter expressing interest in the job I turned down? A: The letter would simply restate what you told me. "I turned down a job in your organization several months ago, but now my situation has changed. I am interested in knowing if the position we discussed, or something similar, is still available, and I will call you in the next week to reintroduce myself."
Q: I am about to resign and take a new job. Should I copy my boss' boss and other senior managers on my letter of resignation, or just announce it to them? A: It's probably good form to share your letter with senior managers, but better to address letters individually to them, rather than copy them on someone else's letter. If you're leaving on good terms--which I assume you are--this will confirm your good relationship with them, create good PR, and insure a good reference should you need it years later in another job search. It's not a bad idea to make the letter as warm and friendly as you can; and it's a good idea to include some specific words of thanks. |