By MAX MESSMER
Scripps Howard News Service
Because most resumes today are sent via e-mail or an online submission form, many job seekers skip the cover letter. This is a missed opportunity to differentiate yourself from the competition. A customized cover letter allows you to showcase your knowledge of the employer and explain why you are the ideal person for the job. Most important, a well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from the crowd and convince hiring managers to give your application extra attention.
If you are submitting your resume electronically, paste your cover letter into the body of your message, whenever possible.
The following candidates sent cover letters that stood out -- but for all of the wrong reasons:
COVER LETTER: "I am not looking for a job."We're thoroughly confused.
COVER LETTER: "Here's how it works: No reference requests."Trust us, your statement tells us all we need to know.
COVER LETTER: "I am a real person, not spam."We never doubted you.
A typical cover letter is three or four paragraphs. This job seeker offered just four words:
COVER LETTER: "My resume is awesome."And how would you describe your cover letter?
COVER LETTER: "I'm the juggernaut of the 21st century."Self-confidence isn't an issue for this job candidate.
Rather than playing up her qualifications, this accounting professional wrote about her job-search difficulties:
COVER LETTER: "After giving two months' notice to allow my employer ample time to find and train a replacement, I quit my last dead-end accounts payable job. Unfortunately for me, I quit that job before finding a new one, and now I'm having trouble even getting interviews."Proof positive that it's easiest to find a job when you already have one.
(Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, a specialized staffing firm, and author of "Managing Your Career For Dummies" and "Job Hunting For Dummies," 2nd Edition. His most recent book is "Human Resources Kit For Dummies," 2nd Edition. For more Resumania, visit www.resumania.com. Send samples to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International, 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif. 94025. Fax to 650-234-6998.)
