When writing your resume cover letter keep in mind that the
reviewer is only interested in one thing: the facts. Do not
think of your cover letter as an autobiography. It should
be brief and to the point. The purpose of the cover letter (and
resume) should be to demonstrate that you meet or exceed the
requirements listed in the job description. It should convey
that you’re interested in the position and that you're available
to accept the position, if offered.
When writing the resume cover letter avoid negatives. A cover
letter is not the place to explain why you left or are leaving
an employer, why there are gaps in your employment dates, etc.
These "negatives" are best delivered in person during the
interview so that your personality can counter them.
Try to avoid a salary history in the cover
letter. Even if the position specifically asks for your salary
history, providing this information may work against you.
If the job ad specifically says that resumes without a salary
history will not be considered, give a historical salary range
and state that your salary requirements are flexible based on
the opportunity the position will provide.
Spend time thinking about the layout of your
letter. Make sure that it is clean and easy to scan.
Keep in mind, the reviewer of your cover letter and resume has
hundreds (if not thousands) of cover letters and resumes to look
at. Your cover letter should not be a summary of your resume;
instead, consider it an introduction and an argument for why you
are the best candidate for the company and specific position.
Above all, avoid the generic cover letter
you get from books. If you are not sure how to write a
targeted and personal cover letter, we suggest using a
professional cover letter writing service. The
services are fairly inexpensive - professional cover letter
writing services start at about $30.
PLEASE do NOT follow the advice of poorly
written resume and cover letter books and websites that advise
on using platitudes and clichés in your cover letter. Resume
reviewers do this for a living. They know that almost every
candidate promises "excellent written and verbal communication
skills", and the ability to "think outside the box" and "juggle
multiple tasks". The point here is to be different and stand
out. The goal is to demonstrate your written communication
skills by writing a
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