Resume Cover Letters | coverletters and resumes info

Are resume cover letters really necessary?  Well it may depend who you ask.  Coverletters may be ignored by some recruiters and HR departments, while considered an absolute requirement by others.  Thinking about it this way - you really don't have a choice but to include a cover letter for all your resumes. 

Let me say that I hardly consider myself an expert in this area, but I have had some success in landing job interviews.  And remember that is the point.... you want to get in front of someone for an interview.

In my opinion - what should you include on your coverletter document:

The top header:  your name, phone number, email address, mailing address

Opening:  date, who you are addressing, and express clearly in one or 2 sentences your intention.  Tell them exactly what you are seeking. 

The "meat":  I recommend making this brief and in point form.  Tell them that you believe you are an ideal candiate because you have had much related success.  Tell them that you can "prove" all of your claims within your resume and cover letter and will be happy to provide them with documentation upon their request.  See my cover letter example below:

Closing:   Ask them to contact you and that you look forward to meeting them.  Provide your contact information (or at least your phone and email) in this section as well. 

Make sure you sign off your resume coverletter appropriately - I use "sincerely.  Also - be sure you always sign your name neatly, and have it there in regular text as well. 

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