Facts of Cover Letter

Cover Letter Truths

Many resume books will tell you that your cover letter introduces your resume. This is not the case. In fact, more often than not, your resume determines whether the reviewer ever reads your cover letter. The reviewer will read your cover letter only if your resume passes an initial review.Gatekeepers (recruiters, staffing managers, HR managers) are interested in facts not fluff. A resume offers a quicker route to the facts than a cover letter. Most people who review resumes and cover letters for a living quickly learn to discount and ignore a candidate's cover letter unless the resume gives the reviewer a good reason to consider the candidate for an interview.

Important facts you should know about cover letters if you would like to succeed in your job search:

90% of all cover letters are never read, or scanned
Most recruiters and staffing managers will scan your resume first unless your cover letter is brief and is placed in the body of your email or online submission form. If they do not like your resume, they will not read your cover letter. If you have something important to say, say it in your resume unless it does not properly belong in a resume. Your cover letter is not a chance to make a first impression -- it is a second chance to maintain a good impression.

But, the other 10% can sink good resumes
If a recruiter or other gatekeeper reads your cover letter first, and it is poorly written, he or she may decide not to spend any time (not even ten seconds) scanning your resume. On the other hand, a well-written cover letter will persuade the reader to pay special attention to your resume.

So, you must have an outstanding cover letter
If your resume survives a ten second scan, and a thorough review, the recruiter or staffing manager will want to read your cover letter. For this reason, your cover letter must stand out and make a strong positive impression. In short, cover letters are seldom read but you should have one, and it should be superbly written.