Are you second-guessing effectiveness of a cover letter?
Q: I am receiving advice for my job search from several friends who have successfully changed jobs recently. They all told me that cover letters helped them stand out and made an impact on the hiring manager. My questions are how did they know their cover letters made an impact, and are they necessary anymore to land a job? They take too much time to write if no one reads them.
A: You are not alone in second-guessing the importance of cover letters. There appear to be two camps of thought regarding cover letters; some praise their effectiveness, while others believe a resume is a primary way to impact an employer. Both thoughts are valid, and using cover letters can be situational.
Those who lean toward cover letters do so with a multi-level strategy. Cover letters give you extra space to highlight your interest, match your skills to the employer’s needs, and showcase your communication skills. All of which are important during a job search.
You mentioned cover letters as being time-consuming, and you are right. It does take time and effort to create a cover letter worth reading. Unfortunately, people who would love to land a job do not always take the time needed and will turn to the fastest way possible to send a cover letter — generic one-size- fits-all letters.
You can benefit by writing a strong cover letter in several hidden ways. For example, to send a targeted letter, you must first study the job description and concentrate on the employer’s needs. Writing a letter is an excellent way to force yourself to evaluate your skills for a particular job.
Creating a letter helps you focus on why an employer would be interested in you in the first place. It gives you a chance to recapture your strengths, highlight your unique value to the employer and demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly.
In retrospect, a well-written cover letter is a personal marketing letter with a specific focus. When you turn to a generic letter hoping it will “check the box,” you are not giving yourself the best chance of making a good impression.
Cover letters can be effective in generating attention from hiring managers. They can give you an advantage over other seriously considered candidates.
For example, if you and another candidate are being equally considered for a job offer with similar work experience and skills, a cover letter can help distinguish you.
Using a letter to help highlight your value is why a “cookie cutter” approach does not generate attention from hiring managers. If you sound like everyone else, why should an employer read further?
Cover letters are helpful, but they need to be written with a purpose and directed toward why you should be hired in a concise way within three to four paragraphs.
Those in the resume-only camp believe that a well-written resume is all you need to stand out from other candidates. They base their belief on a time factor.
For example, the recruiters who are the first to receive a cover letter will often go straight to the resume for screening purposes.
Most employers turn to social media to gather more knowledge of your background. Your online profile is a great way to showcase your accomplishments with relevant examples.
Using a cover letter is situational and can depend on your career field. Consider the need and the strategy for writing a letter.