A Strong Cover Letter
May Lead to the Job Interview

The goal is to grab the attention of the reader...AND lead that person to read your resume...which will ultimately result in a job interview.

Hopefully, the person reading it will be the employer who ultimately makes the hiring decision.

But more often than not, it will end up on the desk (email inbox) of the recruiter or human resource manager.

Your job hunting process may go something like this.

• The cover to the resume will often be the first thing the employer (or HR, recruiter, etc.) reads about you.

• If an interest is shown, the person will continue on with a review of your resume.

• If the resume is of interest to the employer, you might get called in for a job interview.

• If the job interview goes smoothly, the next step would be the formal job application process and getting hired.

I know this is a simplistic way of looking at it. The point is...it all starts with a strong introduction.

I was lucky to have a good mentor or two while I was creating my cover letter.

I've compiled what employers have shared with me as well as my own experience over the years.

• Resume Introduction Letter
• Overall advice you should know

• Application Letter
• There are two basic categories

• Cover Letter Help
• The basic format and outline may vary

• Fax Cover Memo
• There are different types and uses

• Free Cover Letter
• Commonly asked questions and tips

As I did with my resume, I used the best of all worlds.

While searching for jobs and obtaining career assistance, I found so many examples, it made my head spin.

I will try and take away some of that pain, by consolidating what I have learned over the years.

A quick search on the Internet will provide a ton of examples and how-to guides. There are many formats to choose from.

Several types you will come across include the application cover and the resume cover. There may be times you will want to email, regular mail or fax a cover memo over to the hiring manager.

Is this process needed for every job? Or just what industry considers a "high demand" job.

My advice? You should have some kind of introduction letter to go along with all resumes. And they should match the position you are applying for.

I found that certain jobs in higher demand have their own unique considerations. This includes jobs such as:

• Engineering Jobs
• Health care Jobs
• Accounting Jobs
• Design Jobs
• Marketing Jobs
• Finance Jobs
• Sales Jobs
• Graduate Jobs
• Computer Jobs
• Legal Jobs

The idea I am trying to get across is, to align and match your introduction to your resume...and to the position you are applying for.

I know for some of you it seems like common sense. But as an employer, I have seen examples where career candidates state in their introduction letter that they are "interested in the IT job"; but then their resume is written with emphasis on "sales job experience"; all the while, they might actually be applying for a "marketing job".

I know this won't happen to you. Just make sure you align your introduction to the job.

Key cover resume letter tips:

• Use as an introduction. (about you and your resume)

• Use free cover letter advice as needed

• One page max

• Keep it accurate, clear and to the point

• Explain what it is you are looking for and why you are the best candidate.

Now that you have sent your resume and cover memo over to the hiring manager (or possibly a recruiter or human resource representative), you are ready to brush up on your job interview skills.

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