Writing Cover Letters

---

   


All of the tips about writing cover letters on this site can be found on this page.

Often when I start to talk with clients about writing a cover letter, the first thing people ask is, "Do I really have to write a cover letter?"

When I say yes, the next question people normally ask is, "Why? Why do I have to write those letters?"

It makes sense to ask why. If you're going to invest your time working on a challenging task, it's wise to know exactly why you're doing that task.

It is true that some employers never read cover letters. Instead, they look directly to a candidate's resume. However, plenty of employers find a lot of value in reading a cover letter. They see it as a way of getting to know more about you, your personality and your ability to communicate outside of the structural restrictions of a resume.



Some employers will only read your resume if they are impressed with your cover letter. Others will not read a resume if is it not accompanied by a cover letter. They feel that the letter is a part of a complete job application package. If you have sent a resume only, these employers feel that you have only done half of the job in the application process. They view that as a negative reflection on the way you would do the job at their company.

You don't know the employer's preference each time you submit a resume, so you must always submit a cover letter with your resume.

People sometimes ask whether they must submit a cover letter when responding to a job ad that says, "submit your resume to…" The answer is yes, absolutely. Even if a cover letter is not specifically requested in the ad, it is assumed that you will submit a cover letter along with your resume.

I hope I have convinced you that writing cover letters is an essential part of your job search, and you must never submit your resume alone. There are plenty of tips in the articles below to help you start writing cover letters that get noticed.

---

Learn more about writing a cover letter:

Employment Cover Letter – How to Write 3 Types of Cover Letters
There are three types of cover letters, or three reasons why you might be writing a cover letter. Get tips on writing cover letters to suit any situation.

Cold Call Cover Letter
A cold call cover letter is often the trickiest type of cover letter to write simply because you often have limited information about the company's current staffing needs. Use these tips to write outstanding cold call cover letters.

Referral Cover Letter
You'll use a referral cover letter when someone you know has referred you to a job opening that they know about. It's quite wonderful to get the inside track on jobs through referrals; these are often your best job leads. Make the most of these leads with these referral cover letter tips.

Cover Letters for Job Ads
Here are a few simple strategies to help your cover letter stand out when you are responding to a job ad. When employers advertise job openings, they are often inundated with resumes, so you'll really want to do what it takes to get noticed in this situation.

Career Fair Success - Cover Letters for Career Fairs
Learn when it's appropriate to submit a career fair cover letter and how a great cover letter can set you up for career fair success.

Cover Letter Outline
Use this sample cover letter outline to write a winning cover letter every time.

Career Change Cover Letter
When you're writing a career change cover letter, keep a few simple points in mind to highlight your skills and qualifications that are relevant to your new career.

Rules for Writing Business Letters
When you are writing business letters, appearance matters. Learn how to set up and write a formal letter.

Sample Cover Letters

Cover Letter Samples
On this page, you'll find all of the cover letter samples that are available on this site.

Cover Letter Sample
Here is a cover letter sample to give you some inspiration.

Sample Cover Letter - new graduate, limited work experience
This is a sample cover letter for a recent graduate with limited work experience.

Referral Sample Employment Cover Letter
This sample employment cover letter is a referral cover letter, but it could easily be modified to work for an advertised job or a cold contact cover letter. This example of a cover letter reflects the skills and experience of a job seeker with a background in education.

Take your time, read through the articles about writing cover letters on this page, and your confidence will grow.

Do keep in mind that good writing is all about rewriting. Don't expect to write a cover letter masterpiece on your first try. All good writers revise their work, and the same is true for good cover letter writing.

 
Get more Job Search Tips
Return to Career Choice Guide from Writing Cover Letters