Cover Letters
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a letter you write to an employer documenting your skills, experience, and qualifications for the position you're applying for.
Do I send anything else with my cover letter?
Your cover letter will accompany your resume as attachments to an online job application. Your cover letter will reference your resume as an enclosure.
Does a cover letter have to be a certain length?
Cover letters do follow a particular format and should be three or four paragraphs.
What happens if I don't send a cover letter?
If a job advertisement states to send a cover letter, then do it. Even if it's not mentioned, do it anyway. Choosing to not send a cover letter per the employer's instructions could very well make your application process incomplete. It will also show a lack of motivation on your part. There are very few exceptions for not sending a cover letter.
Why do I need a cover letter?
To spotlight your communication skills, explain something with a little more emphasis than what a resume can do, explain your career goals, show that you're a serious candidate, highlight your qualifications related to the position you're applying for, what you can do for that employer, the research you conducted on that employer's business, convey enthusiasm for the position you're applying for, and why you want the position.
The first link provides some additional information about cover letters and the second link is an example of how to write a cover letter.
