Why A Great Cover Letter is as Important as a Great Resume?

Before a hiring manager takes a look at a potential employee’s resume, it is the cover letter that he or she evaluates first. A badly written cover letter has the potential of destroying any chances for an interview. But a well-crafted cover letter can pique interest by showing the applicant’s intelligence, skills and desire to work for the company.

In a cover letter, an applicant has the opportunity to briefly discuss his or her qualifications for the job in question. This is the perfect time to note any major achievements related to the position. Any skills or education relating to the job description should be included. For instance, if one has experience as an office assistant and the job opening is for an office assistant, applicants should make sure the fact they worked as one before is mentioned. If applicants have never worked for an office before, a cover letter is a good place to write down any related experience, such as previous jobs in which experience with organization or use of office equipment occurred.

If at all possible, addressing the cover letter to a specific, appropriate person shows the company that the job-seeker has done his or her research and isn’t merely sending out the same canned letter to dozens of different places without a thought. Details about why exactly the applicant is qualified to work for that specific position is a plus. Also, when good grammar is used, the letter displays intelligence, a trait most companies are looking for.

By expressing a genuine enthusiasm and desire to work for a company in a cover letter, applicants increase their chances for moving to the next step. Potential employers want to hire people that might create a positive atmosphere, people who are willing to go the extra mile. In good cover letters, applicants can say they are excited about the possibility of giving their skills to that particular company.

A well-written cover letter shows potential employees that the job-seeker is serious about acquiring the position. The letter can be the very thing that opens the door for consideration and could lead to a request for a job interview.