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Q: How do I address a cover letter.
A: When a name is provided in the requisition, you’re in luck! Address your letter to that person. So, if the requisition says John Smith, address the letter to John Smith (not Mr. Smith). If the requisition provides no name – as is usually the case – use a gender neutral salutation, such as Dear Hiring Manager. Do not omit a greeting and do not go with something such as Dear Sir.
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I just checked in with a recent client, Jane, who – at the start of our project – was as anti-cover-letter as anti-cover-letter gets. She was one of the many people out there who believe that a cover letter is a “throw away” item – something that needs to be done but not very mindfully. Early on, I explained to her (as I often do when clients ask) the importance of a cover letter.
First off, always submit a cover letter with your resume unless a company/organization specifically asks for only a resume. An ideal cover letter can take many forms to be sure, but it’s main goal should usually be to motivate the reader to take a close look at your resume. Moreover, I typically like to see a cover letter that gives the reader a bit more information – some “context” that will help them to make further sense of the resume. Oftentimes, a cover letter becomes more important once the list of job candidates has been whittled down. That’s when the “extras” that a cover letter provides can make all of the difference.
Jane let me know that she believes it was ultimately her cover letter that got her a job. Her new employer told her that it expressed a level of interest and sincerity that set her apart from other applicants. Cover letters are still a big part of the job-search routine. Use that fact to your advantage.
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Q: When emailing my resume, should I attach the cover letter or use it as the body of the email?
A: Most employers will request a cover letter, so it is a good idea to attach it with your resume. Write a concise (this is key), professional e-mail introducing yourself and stating the position for which you are applying. Since this is not a steadfast rule, I suggest that when someone uses the cover letter as the body of the email, they also include it as an attachment. This way, if the documents are passed along in print form, both will look as professional as you had originally intended.
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