As email and online submissions become the most common method for communicating one’s interest in a position, should you be spending your time creating a separate cover letter document?
The answer is: it depends. Here’s how to tell if you need provide a separate cover letter when you submit your resume or application.
Did they ask for one?
The first consideration should be whether or not one was requested. Regardless of the submission method, if attaching a cover letter is requested specifically, it is best to create one. This could be due to the fact that the person receiving the emails is not necessarily the person who will be reviewing the information. In those situations, the potential employer may actually be printing the information to provide to those involved in the hiring position.
Even if that is not the intention, failing to provide information that someone took the time to ask for directly may result in your application being discarded.
Is the job opening published?
If you are not applying to a posted job opening, a cover letter is more useful regardless of whether one would normally be requested. Applying to opportunities based on information from your network may require you to explain your intentions. Just dropping off a resume or sending a vague email is unlikely to result in a hiring manager reviewing your information for a position that isn’t entirely open to the public.
In these cases, a cover letter should be included, depending on the method of delivery. If a person in your network is either bringing in paper copies of your resume or forwarding your information on your behalf, a cover letter serves as a formal introduction that may interest the potential employer.
If you are applying via email, then the same rules should apply (as outlined below) regardless if the position is advertised.
Are you applying via email?
If a cover letter is not requested as part of the application materials, and you are sending your information via email, the body of your email should function as your cover letter. Take the opportunity to express your interest and outline the skills and experience you have acquired that make you a good fit for the position.
You have a very short amount of time to catch someone’s attention. As little as six seconds are spent reading an applicant’s resume based on reports from the Business Insider and ABC News. Your email should be well written and concise. Mention previous accomplishments and how those projects prepared you for the kind of work the potential employer is interested in having you provide.
Is it a standard application?
Certain online or paper applications are very specific regarding the information that is being sought. Some applications do not provide an opportunity to create or enter a cover letter. In those cases, finding a way to sneak one in is generally unnecessary, especially if the application includes specific questions requesting you to explain your prior experience within a text box. Treat those text boxes as mini cover letters by keeping your answers clear, concise, and to the point, while ensuring your answer is complete.
Online applications may provide the opportunity to attach a cover letter, but it might not be a requirement. In these cases, it is important to evaluate what you have been able to share throughout the application process and see if anything seemed to be left unsaid that may be particularly intriguing to the potential employer. If a cover letter was not requested, and you would only end up repeating information, almost verbatim, that was covered elsewhere then adding an additional cover letter may be redundant.
Cover Letter Writing Tips
While the traditional use of the cover letter may be slowly fading, properly managing your communications regarding employment opportunities is always a wise choice.
When possible, avoid generalities, such as the “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam” introductions. With the amount of information available online, try to find the name of the person who is most likely to review your information.
Additionally, take a few moments to customize the content to the employer and position, especially when you can easily mention the company by name, and use keywords from the job posting (when available) to help connect the material to the position.
Finally, keep it focused. Limit yourself to no more than three paragraphs aside from the closing and make sure each sentence provides information that is valuable to the employer.
If you are looking for additional ways to stand out from the crowd, or are looking for new employment opportunities, contact the professionals at The Squires Group today and let them help you get your career moving in the right direction!
