Letter Cover for Resume - Connecting with the Reader
Letter Cover for Resume - Connecting with the Reader
What to write on a letter cover for my resume was really pestering me. I had sent out about 20 of them with no response. I emailed it as requested and mailed a copy. I also almost rewrote the whole letter in my own words that I copied from the internet. I was running out of ideas on what to do. I did a lot more research and I think I found what I was doing wrong.
I wasn't using the right letter cover for my resume. I had worked on my resume so much I had completely ignored the cover letter. I simple took a generic letter and changed it a little. I really didn't take it too seriously. Until I did the research, I thought it was just a formality that was quickly overlooked. I assumed the reader would go directly to the resume. I was wrong.
I realized I had to make a much greater effort to connect with the reader through the letter cover for my resume. After learning this I started following some of the pointers I picked up from a cover letter manual I bought. As suggested I made and effort to find out who would be interviewing, to address the letter directly to them. If it was an assistant position I wanted to know who I would be assisting to make my letter connect with the reader.
When I was able to get the information, which wasn't nearly as often as id like. I would write something like. "I would like the opportunity and challenge to work with Mrs. Davis. I understand her duties in the company are essential. Working closely with her I'm sure I can learn from her and try to reach her level of efficiency."
Doing this isn't always easy. Getting the information is sometimes tough. Most aren't open and willing to give out this information freely. I had to get creative and ask a lot of questions when calling the company for the position. I would call with the excuse of inquiring if the position was still open and I would ask who was interviewing and if they knew who the hire would be working directly under. This depends a lot on the person answering the phone.
The cover letter for the resume works really well when combined with a hard copy hand delivered to the hiring person. It wasn't always easy but I did manage to speak to some of them in person, introduce myself and hand a copy to them. Most asked for it to be emailed and I felt that taking a hard copy as opposed to mailing it would leave a better impression. I was surprised to see that in most cases it was well received.
That's what helped my letter cover for resume connect with the reader. I was able to secure more interviews and eventually a job by making those changes to my cover letter