The answer is YES! If the application asks for a cover letter, include one.
A strong cover letter can differentiate you from the crowd and highlight your strengths and accomplishments.
The purpose of the cover letter is to get your foot in the door. You should not:
- Reiterate your entire resume
- Quantify results
- Give examples
- Highlight your soft skills
What should you include?
- A sharp introduction-get right to the point
- A convincing statement-articulate why a hiring manager to interview you
- A call-to-action-thank the reader for considering you and ask for the interview
Make Sure to do this:
- Include your name and full contact information.
- A consistent look between your résumé and Cover Letter.
- Have a balance of the white space, ot too much, not too little.
- Personalize for the position for which you are applying
How should you close your cover letter?
- Sincerely
- Sincerely yours
- With best regards
- Best regards
- Kind regards
- Respectfully yours
Thank you is always a good way to end.
The cover letter should not be longer than a page. More important is your grammar and punctuation-make sure to proofread!
