How Important Is A Cover Letter With Your Resume ?

Job Resume Cover Letter Samples Articles : How Important Is A Cover Letter With Your Resume ? by Mike Selvon

It would be hard to image someone ignoring a vital piece of information that could make the difference between getting an interview, or having their resume tossed into the nearest trash can. Yet many people elect not to include this document along with their resume.

They choose not to include a cover letter. Cover letters are your introduction to the employer. They show intent, as well as showing that you have actually read the job posting. They catch the employer's eye which could mean getting that life-changing phone call.

Cover letter writing is a lot like learning how to write a resume. You either learn how in a class or you do a little bit of online research and learn through that method. There is a right way and a wrong way to go about writing cover letters.

If you do not know the difference, then it can cost you a shot at the job you have always wanted. Resume cover letter writing is a blend of creative and technical writing. It is designed to grab the attention of the employer and make them want to see what is on your resume.

A cover letter is not an opportunity to discuss your pet lint collection. It should not be informal and chock full of useless information that does not apply to that position being offered. It is a chance to introduce yourself.

If the employer wants to know about lint collections, then you can always let them know at the interview or even better, later when you have the job. Address the letter to the hiring person, usually someone in Human Resources, and tell them why you are a great candidate for the job.

Tip number one. Do not undersell yourself. Your goal is to sound confident and sure of your abilities. Tip number two. Do not oversell yourself. An over inflated ego is a great way to turn an employer off and could cause them to think that perhaps you embellished your curriculum vitae.

With cover letter writing, there is a fine line between the two extremes. A third tip is to know who will be reading your curriculum vitae. This may not always be possible if the ad did not state a name. However, if it did, make sure and address the individual directly.

Take advantage of any assets you have in your arsenal. Use a cover letter to show your potential employer that you are serious about winning that position. If you have looked for help, but are still unclear as to what cover letters should include, then you can always use a professional resume writing service to help you write your cover letter, or provide you with sample resumes and cover letters. Just make sure to personalize the letter and tell them why you want the job.



About the Author
A whole world of information about the importance a cover letter can be at your fingertips from Mike Selvon portal where a free gift awaits you. Drop us a note at our resume writing tips blog.

Source: Resume Cover Letters, Job Resume Cover Letter Samples, Cover Letter Examples and Templates, Cover Letter Articles information at goarticles.com

Teacher Cover Letter

Job Resume Cover Letter Samples Articles : Teacher Cover Letter by Mario Churchill

You are just out of school and excited about your first teaching job, or, you are looking to change careers and start educating students; either way, you are going to need a first-rate teacher cover letter.

Being able to craft an exceptional teacher cover letter is essential because it is your first chance to make an impression on the employer, a chance to make him or her ask them self "why should I interview this applicant"? "What can he/she bring to the table that the others can't?" If your teacher cover letter doesn't show them your uniqueness you may have a problem.

There are several ways to go about getting help when you need to know about writing a teacher cover letter. Most colleges and universities offer help of this sort right at their student services office; there are also books galore in your local library or bookstore. However, the most powerful and most-oft used tool today, I believe, is the Internet. You can go to any search engine and type in "teacher cover letter" and you will most certainly bring back several "hits." It can be tiring just reading through them and trying to weed out the good from the bad!

So, let me give you some help from someone who has been there and done that, let's teach you about writing a teacher cover letter... no pun intended!

But, before you begin writing, make sure you do some research on the school or educational system you are applying to; it is always wise to know a few facts beforehand and if it comes up in conversation during the interview you are trying to get, or if you can work it in somehow, it will be impressive and show how interested in the school district you really are.

Next, choose a cover letter style. If your cover letter is in response to a job posting in the newspaper, for instance, most people like to mention where they saw the ad. Recently, this action has come under debate, with some people saying not to mention where you saw the ad unless it was a referral, so do what feels right to you.

If you are sending your resume via email, make use of the Subject Line with something catchy, more than just your generic "Job Opening, Resume Attached." Stay away from fancy fonts and italics though. Make sure the employer has all of your contact information as well as your full name. And last but not least, check for spelling and grammar. Spellchecker cannot and will not catch everything so you will have to proof read it yourself, as well. Make sure you do!

If you are composing a Cold Call cover letter, simply address it to the School Administration Hiring Board, or whatever may be more appropriate where you are applying. You should still do some research on the school district, and let them know which teaching position you are interested in. Also, list two or three things that would make you an asset to their teaching staff. Finally, simply write that you will follow up to discuss possible openings, maybe giving a specific day or a time range in which to expect your follow up, and make sure that you do indeed stick by your word and follow up. Of course, make sure that they have all of your contact info just in case something opens and they want to contact you.

Teacher cover letters should always be kept professional looking and "sounding." At the top of the page should be listed your address, do not put your name there, just your address. On the next line, put that day's date. Next, you will want to put the name of the employer, or person in charge of hiring, if you do not have this information, get it! Call Administration and find out, it will only take you a second and it's a must. Make sure you have this person's title as well, because that is what goes below his or her name. Then you will list the school or district name, below that, the address. Triple space and you are ready to address your potential employer: Dear Mr./Ms. Employer.

Your first paragraph should be kept short and to the point; state the position you want. Explain why you are interested in this specific profession; this specific grade, etc. Try to make a connection. This is where your research comes into play again. If you can make a connection do so concisely and explicitly; across-the-board statements will not work. If you don't have something that you are sure you can use, use nothing. It will work better for you that way.

Your second paragraph will probably be your longest and should be the one that really "reels'em in," so to speak. This is where you try and list two or three accomplishments which can be backed up with specific examples. Talk about general qualities that you possess that would bring value to the school district you are applying to. You may use examples from your resume but never copy word for word from it. If this paragraph gets too long, consider breaking it down into two, you want your teacher cover letter to have a consistent look and flow about it.

Your final paragraph should be short and will simply refer to the enclosed resume, and also request an interview. Let them know what will happen next, i.e. when you will be contacting them to follow up. And last, but certainly not least, thank them for their time and consideration.

Well, that's all the time we have. Now how do you feel about getting started on writing a teacher cover letter?



About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on resumes or for a samples resume checkout his recommended websites.

Source: Resume Cover Letters, Job Resume Cover Letter Samples, Cover Letter Examples and Templatesm, Cover Letter Articles information at goarticles.com

Writing A Cover Letter

Job Resume Cover Letter Samples : Writing A Cover Letter by Mario Churchill

When you apply for a professional job, you will need both a resume and a cover letter. While both of these are important in the job application process, it is the cover letter that your employer will see first. If your cover letter is not compelling, they will not want to turn to your resume. This is even the case if your resume was itself outstanding. For this reason you will want to do everything you can to make sure your cover letter is well-written. If you do not know how to properly write a cover letter read on as this article will explain what you need to do.

First, you will need to include your address then your employer's address if you are creating a printed cover letter. If your cover letter is simply an email, you can go straight towards the salutation. Pay close attention to the job ad to see if there are any names mentioned as contacts. If a name is not directly given, sometimes it can be deduced based on whatever email address is provided. If you find a first and last name, include it in your salutation followed by a colon. On the other hand, if you cannot find a name, you can say To whom it may concern or Dear Sir or Madam each followed by a colon.

The first paragraph of your cover letter needs to introduce yourself. You need to provide your full name and let the employer know you are interested in applying for their position. Make sure you also state where you found their ad from, so the employer will have a point of reference. This is especially helpful, since it is not uncommon that employers may have to send out dozens of ads for different positions.

The second and third paragraphs of your cover letter need to talk about why you are a qualified candidate for the job. You will want to showcase some of the strongest points of your resume, including your best-performing and highest-paying job, your academic achievements and all of your pertinent skills. However, try to use a lot of synonyms when talking about these points. You do not want a replica of your resume in these sections of the cover letter.

The last paragraph of your cover letter needs to let the employer know how to access your resume and any other documents you may have provided. If you are sending your resume through postal mail, you can simply say these things are enclosed. Yet, if you are sending your documents through email, you can say they are provided as an attachment. After this sentence thank the employer for their consideration. Conclude the cover letter by saying how you would look forward to working for the company if offered the chance.

So, all in all, writing a cover letter doesn't have too be extremely difficult. If you follow this formula and keep your letter brief, (since employers do not have time to be reading lengthy cover letters), you should be able to at least get your resume looked at.



About the Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on cover letter or cover letters checkout his recommended websites.

Source: Resume Cover Letters, Job Cover Letter Samples, Cover Letter Examples and Templates information at goarticles.com