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by Rachel Hernandez Copyright 2000
In my experience, I've met many job seekers that spend hours of time on cover letters and less time on resumes. We view cover letters as a personal tool for attracting companies. It sends out the message "I'm a real person, not just a statistic. " But, do cover letters really work? Sometimes.
It would be nice to know that after all your hard work and effort, someone actually took the time to read your cover letter. Remember, it takes recruiters an average of 5 seconds to read over your resume. Do you really think they will take the time to read your cover letter? If they take the time to read your cover letter, think of the time they will need to read everyone else's cover letter. In fact, this will double their work. Despite all the hype, cover letters are less effective than resumes. Though Human Resource personnel may receive your application materials, chances are that person will read your resume over your cover letter. Why? Resumes are easier to skim over, and provide information in a convenient format. On the other hand, cover letters can cover a variety of topics from why you're applying to your whole educational history. Remember, the Human Resource department is only the first line of contact before you get to the real decision makers.
While I was working at one of the top entertainment companies, I had a friend who worked in the Human Resources department. Part of her job was to separate the resumes from the cover letters, separating them into two piles. Recruiters would read the resumes and toss the cover letters in the trash. Can you imagine having your hard earned work tossed in the trash? Many recruiters say that cover letters explain more about you, but its not what recruiters look for. They look for your skills and experience, not your personality. If the job description says they need someone with 5 years of experience, they will look for someone with 5 years of experience. Recruiters make up job descriptions, not management. You may only be considered for the positions they are currently hiring for without a chance to prove yourself.
If you are going to apply for a job, make sure you have a reliable contact at the organization. By reliable, I'm talking about someone who has the authority to make decisions or influence other people. Your mission is to get your application to the people who make decisions. So, you need to figure out a way to bypass the Human Resources department. Once you have a reliable contact, then you can take the time to make a well-thought out cover letter about yourself. You will feel good knowing someone is taking the time to read about you without worrying. Simply put, your contact network is the best bet to landing your "ideal job."
About the Author: Rachel Hernandez is the founder of CareerWish, a career oriented website. At
CareerWish, we strive to inspire and encourage others to pursue the career of their dreams. Visit her website at
http://www.careerwish.com.
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