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Exposing Cover Letter Myths
Your cover letter is a first impression to potential employers. If you expect to be a successful job seeker, you'll want to know how to attract positive attention with your cover letter, while avoiding common mistakes.
Believing the myths that follow can kill your cover letter before it has a chance to sell your skills.
It's okay to send your resume without a cover letter
False! Unless you like to send your resume into other people's trashcans, make sure that a cover letter accompanies your resume.
Your cover letter summarizes your resume
False! Your cover letter should put your resume in context — it should draw attention to your strengths and present nonresume material that can make the difference between you and you're your next closest competitor when the interviewing decision is made.
A cover letter merely introduces your resume
False! Your cover letter is much more than a routing slip for your resume. Your letter is also ultimately a silent force, enticing the reader to scour your resume. Some employers believe cover letters are more important than resumes when choosing candidates to interview. If your cover letter doesn't flesh out the person presented in your resume, you may never get to meet the reader.
You can routinely use a generic greeting — "Dear Employer"
False! Research your target organization until you have the name and gender of the person who will review your resume. Double-check for correct spelling and proper job titles. When you can't uncover the correct name and must rely on a generic greeting, Dear Employer is as good as anything. Don't assume gender and use Gentlemen for your salutation.
Keep your cover letter really, really short — like a paragraph
False! The length of your cover letter depends not upon absolute rules of measurement, but upon the amount of content you have to convey. When the letter escorts a resume, it should be one page in length, with one to six paragraphs; when your letter substitutes for a resume, two to three pages is the max.
A handwritten cover letter is best — it's personal
False! Employers may assume you are way behind the times if you don't use a computer's word processor, or they may be unable to read your penmanship. If an employer wants a sample of your handwriting, the employer will request one. Your only handwriting should be your signature at the end, written in black or blue ink.
Resumes and networking are infinitely more important than cover letters in a job search
False! You need the tools of marketing materials — cover letters and resumes — in your quest for job leads, which include recruitment advertising response, networking, and direct application among the most productive techniques. No one component is provably more important than the others.
Anyone can find a job — if your cover letter isn't working, the letter is at fault
False! Your marketing materials — a cover letter or resume — can become an easy focus for your anxieties about a job search; therefore blaming the marketing materials is convenient. Consequently, job seekers often think if they can only whip their marketing materials into perfect shape, the other parts of the search will turn out favorably. The truth is, all parts of your search must be up and running.
Your cover letter gets you a job
False! To succeed in your job search, you need a strategy for finding job leads and a first rate resume supported by a red hot cover letter. In addition, you need marketable skills, appropriate personal qualities, interviewing strengths, and the right references. It's the total package that determines who wins the job.
The cover letter is your chance to talk about your personal life and feelings
False! Your resume talks about you; your cover letter talks about your intended employer — and how your employer can benefit from the splendid assets you offer. Describe special benefits that set you above other applicants.
Include salary history and expectations in your cover letter
False! Save the salary discussion for the interview. You can be eliminated at this stage if your salary history is considered too high, too low, or too static. Don't get into it. If an ad requests such information, write that your salary is negotiable and that you'd be happy to discuss the issue during an interview.
After you send a letter, the employer carries the ball
False! No matter how terrific you are, most employers have no time for hunting you down unless they need you right this very second. If you don't get an acknowledgment (probably an automated reply) that your cover note or letter arrived, call or e-mail to confirm.
Sending your letter by courier is an attention-getter
False! Unless time is of the essence, save your money. Anyone who cares how your letter arrives usually doesn't have the power to hire you. Mail usually filters through office staffers before reaching hiring managers. Even a courier envelope that costs you a meal is likely to be opened by nonhiring hands. E-mail and faxes may get the hiring manager's attention, because they often route straight to your target.
When mailing, use a standard business envelope
False! Now that your documents face a good chance of being scanned and stored by job computers, inserting your letter and resume flat and unfolded into a 10" x 13" envelope is safer. Creases from folding may damage your document's text in scanning systems. By using a larger envelope, you have a huge edge over thousands of other job seekers who don't know that their marketing materials should arrive scanner-ready.
Paper quality always has a great effect on your image
False! And True! Both humans and computers read cover letters and resumes. For a finger-friendly read, paper quality counts.
For a computer-friendly read, the quality of paper doesn't matter at all — the finest paper becomes just another pretty electronic face. Your cover letter and resume paper should match and should be white or off-white smooth paper, sized 8.5" x 11". Avoid glossy or coarse textures that can cause scanners to misread. Don't use colored paper — especially blue, green, or gray, which may scan in as shades of gray that obscure your letter's text.
Careers Glossary
academic curriculum vitae resume
A resume format that includes a comprehensive biographical statement of three to ten pages. This resume format emphasizes professional qualifications and activities.
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accomplishment resume
A variation of the hybrid resume that includes qualifications and accomplishments.
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Americans with Disabilities Act; ADA
A document signed into law that makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against (or refuse to hire) a person simply because that person has one or more disabilities.
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applicant tracking system
A software application that helps a company recruit employees more efficiently. Includes features to post job openings online, screen resumes, acknowledge the receipt of resumes, and generate interview requests.
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behavior-based interview
A type of job interview in which candidates are asked what kinds of behaviors they have used in the past to handle certain situations and solve problems.
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blog
A Web-based journal that is written and updated by one or more blog writers, or bloggers. Today's more sophisticated versions read like media stories and columns.
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branding statement
A marketing tool for job seekers consisting of a brief statement that communicates who you are in the workplace; typically used in resumes and job interviews. Also sometimes called a branding brief.
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broadcast letters
Self-marketing letters that a job seeker sends to a large but carefully targeted list of potential employers. These letters are designed to uncover an opportunity in the hidden (unadvertised) job market.
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career management documents
A family of job letters that are self-marketing tools for people who want to be hired for the best jobs. Includes job ad reply letters, broadcast and prospecting letters, resume letters, follow-up letters, and e-mail cover notes.
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competency-based approach
A resume style that focuses on the skills and talents needed to be able to perform a particular task to a certain standard. Connects your behaviors with your accomplishments.
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core resume
A starting resume that you use as a base or template to spin off targeted versions of your resume (for specific positions) when you must move quickly.
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cover letter
A self-marketing document designed to sell yourself and get an interview for a specific job; typically accompanies a resume.
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credit histories; consumer reports
Reports that contain your payment history to creditors. These reports may also include names of previous employers, residential stability data, divorce information, and estimated prior earnings.
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directive interview
A type of job interview in which the interviewer maintains complete control and walks you through the discussion to uncover what he or she wants to know.
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EEOC
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC is a U.S. federal agency that investigates discrimination complaints.
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e-form
Electronic form. An online form, such as a job application form typically found on company Web sites. You enter data within fields of the form.
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e-mail cover note
An e-mail message that introduces a resume that you distribute online. Typically, a shortened and more informal version of a cover letter.
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e-resumes
Electronic resumes. Resumes that you distribute online.
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font
A complete character set comprised of a single size and typeface, such as 12-point Helvetica.
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font size
The height of the characters in a font set, measured in points, such as 10-point or 14-point. One point is equal to 1/72 of an inch.
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foundation skills
A skills language used in cover letters to communicate your expertise in fundamental job skills — includes basic skills, people skills, thinking skills, and personal qualities.
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functional resume
A resume format that focuses on portable skills or functional areas and ignores chronological order. This resume format works well for career changers, new graduates, ex-military personnel, work-history gaps, or special-issue problems.
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hybrid resume
A resume format that is a combination of the reverse chronological resume format and the functional resume format.
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instant messaging; IM
A real-time form of communication between two or more people online, who type messages back and forth in a window. Job seekers can attach resumes to messages.
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integrity test
A test administered by a potential employer during the interviewing process that rates honesty, responsibility, and reliability for the job.
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intellectual property
Work samples that you submit to a potential employer during the job interview process, such as portfolios, project materials, and proposals.
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international curriculum vitae resume
An excruciatingly detailed resume format used to apply for international jobs. This resume style is typically six to eight pages long and often uses the reverse chronological format.
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job ad reply letter
A letter that is written in reaction to a published job opening in print or online.
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job board
A Web site that posts general or specialized job listings, such as CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com.
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keyword resume
A resume format that places a profile of keywords at the top of a document. This resume format is not in common use today because current resume search databases can pick up keywords anywhere in a resume, not just at the beginning of a document.
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keywords
Internet search words (generally nouns and short phrases) that identify your qualifications. Employers use keywords to search and retrieve e-resumes in databases for available job positions.
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linear resume
A resume format that flows one line at a time and relates achievements, winning moves, and star points in short, quick spurts; designed to attract the eyes of busy readers.
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marketing pitch
A personal commercial that you create to sell yourself during a job search. A marketing pitch should be about one to two minutes long.
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multimedia resume
An electronic resume that you place on a disc; generally sent by postal mail. This resume format is not in common use today.
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nondirective interview
A type of job interview where the interviewer's questions tend to be broad and general so that you can elaborate and tell stories about yourself and your qualifications.
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OFCCP
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. The OFCCP is an agency that tracks the diversity hiring record of those applying for positions with federal contractors.
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online executive bio
A short profile (about 200 words or less) that is placed on social networking sites and job boards to advance employment or business objectives. Includes keywords and a link to a full resume.
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online profile
A lengthy multi-link document that appears on Internet networking and career sites such as LinkedIn.com and VisualCV.com.
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online referral service
An e-mail job distribution method paid for by employers. This service helps you identify which of your contacts may know people at companies where you would like to work.
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online screening program
A form of pre-employment screening that verifies that you are a good fit for the position and that you haven’t lied about your background. May include online tests, assessment instruments, and questionnaires.
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patterned interview
A type of job interview (also called a structured interview) in which the interviewer works from a written list of questions asked of all candidates and writes down your responses.
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personality test
A test administered by a potential employer during the interviewing process that measures choice, preference, values, behavior, decisions, attitudes, and job-related interests.
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podcast
A digital audio or video file that is available for downloading from a Web site. Usually available in a series that is often packaged like a daily newscast or commentary.
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podcasting
The process of creating and distributing audio and video feeds over the Internet. To make a podcast, you need a computer, microphone, Internet access, and recording software.
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portfolio
A collection of work samples often delivered as part of the job interview process for those in fields such as design, graphics, photography, architecture, advertising, public relations, marketing, education, and contracting.
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professional resume
A resume format that emphasizes professional qualifications and activities and is typically three to five pages long. This format is essentially a shortened version of the academic curriculum vitae resume format.
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promotion interview
A type of interview that is conducted for an employee who is a candidate for a higher job position within the company.
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prospecting letters
Self-marketing letters that a job seeker sends to a relatively small and select number of potential employers. These letters are designed to uncover an opportunity in the hidden (unadvertised) job market.
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recruiter; headhunter
An employers’ personal shopper, tasked with going into the marketplace and bringing back the best qualified candidates for the thriftiest prices.
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resume blasting services
A service that advertises their willingness to save you time and trouble by “blasting” your resume to thousands of recruiters and hiring managers all over the Internet — for a fee. These services are generally not recommended due to privacy and identity theft concerns.
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resume letter
A self-marketing document that combines a cover letter with a resume (the resume is not a separate document). This type of letter is typically two pages long, but can be one page.
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reverse chronological resume
A resume format that includes employment history from the most recent jobs working backwards, showing dates for employers and educational institutions. This resume format works well for those with a steady career progression.
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RSS feed
An online service you subscribe to that sends immediate content updates (such as job postings that match a selected criteria) from selected Web sites to your computer or handheld device. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication.
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screener
An employee (typically an administrative assistant or HR specialist) who monitors phone calls for a company when you call their main telephone line.
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screening interview
A first-cut job interview that is used to weed out all applicants except those who are best qualified for the position.
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selection interview
A job interview in which you meet with a supervisor, department head, or another person who has the authority to hire you.
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SEO
An acronym for Search Engine Optimization. SEO is a method of using technical and strategic maneuvers to increase the traffic driven by search engines to a Web site.
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serial interview
A type of job interview in which you are typically passed from the initial screener to a line manager to a top manager — and perhaps a half-dozen people in between.
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social networking services
Web-based services — including discussion groups, message boards, e-mail, and blogs — that give users a way to find and interact with people who have similar interests. Some of this interactivity focuses on job search and recruiting.
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spiders
Automated programs (software) used by specialized search engines to scrape (crawl) the Web to find and haul in content, such as job postings. Also called robots or just 'bots.
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stress interview
A type of job interview in which the interviewer intentionally uses various intimidation tactics to attempt to put pressure on you.
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targeted resume
A resume that is customized for a specific employment goal or position in a job search.
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typeface
A specific family of fonts in a similar design style (including multiple sizes of that font), such as Arial or Times New Roman.
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vertical job search engines
Online search engines that search only for job listings, across multiple job sites at once. Examples include SimplyHired.com and Jobster.com. Also called verticals or aggregators.
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video resume
A canned video interview in which a candidate speaks about his or her qualifications, goals, and strengths; sometimes called a video podcast.
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watermark
A faint image ingrained in quality-stock paper. Resumes are commonly printed on paper stock that includes a watermark.
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Web 2.0
The second generation of Web design that uses sites in which people communicate and share information. Web 2.0 tools include blogs, instant messaging, podcasts, RSS feeds, and social networking services.
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Web resume
An electronic resume that you post on a personal Web site; also sometimes called an e-portfolio or HTML resume.
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