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Cover Letters - To Cover or Not To Cover?
In my experience, I've met many job seekers that spend hours of
time on cover letters and less time on resumes. We view cover
letters as a personal tool for attracting companies. It sends
out the message "I'm a real person, not just a statistic".
But, do cover letters really work? Sometimes.
It would be nice to know that after all your hard work and
effort, someone actually took the time to read your cover
letter. Remember, it takes recruiters an average of 5 seconds
to read over your resume. Do you really think they will take
the time to read your cover letter? If they take the time to
read your cover letter, think of the time they will need to
read everyone else's cover letter. In fact, this will double
their work. Despite all the hype, cover letters are less
effective than resumes. Though Human Resource personnel may
receive your application materials, chances are that person
will read your resume over your cover letter. Why? Resumes are
easier to skim over, and provide information in a convenient
format. On the other hand, cover letters can cover a variety of
topics from why you're applying to your whole educational
history. Remember, the Human Resource department is only the
first line of contact before you get to the real decision
makers.
While I was working at one of the top entertainment companies,
I had a friend who worked in the Human Resources department.
Part of her job was to separate the resumes from the cover
letters, separating them into two piles. Recruiters would read
the resumes and toss the cover letters in the trash. Can you
imagine having your hard earned work tossed in the trash? Many
recruiters say that cover letters explain more about you, but
its not what recruiters look for. They look for your skills and
experience, not your personality. If the job description says
they need someone with 5 years of experience, they will look
for someone with 5 years of experience. Recruiters make up job
descriptions, not management. You may only be considered for
the positions they are currently hiring for without a chance to
prove yourself.
If you are going to apply for a job, make sure you have a
reliable contact at the organization. By reliable, I'm talking
about someone who has the authority to make decisions or
influence other people. Your mission is to get your application
to the people who make decisions. So, you need to figure out a
way to bypass the Human Resources department. Once you have a
reliable contact, then you can take the time to make a well-
thought out cover letter about yourself. You will feel good
knowing someone is taking the time to read about you without
worrying. Simply put, your contact network is the best bet to
landing your "ideal job".
Copyright © Rachel Hernandez, the founder of CareerWish, a career-oriented website. At CareerWish, they strive to inspire and encourage others to pursue the career of their dreams. Reprinted with permission.
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