Cover Letter Quandry

It's a tough economy out there. Finding a job is difficult but not impossible. I have often wondered about the usefulness of cover letters when applying for a job. I've always written one up and sent one along, not knowing if they were really read. According to this Career Couch column in The New York Times, employers really do pay attention.

Cover letters are a graceful way to introduce yourself, to convey your personality and to impress a hiring manager with your experience and your writing skills, said Katy Piotrowski, an author of career books and a career counselor based in Fort Collins, Colo. You can also tailor them to a specific company in ways that you cannot with a résumé.

Ms. Piotrowski recently had a job opening at her small company, Career Solutions Group, and she was dismayed when about a quarter of the 200 applicants did not send cover letters. Most were within five years of graduating from college, she said, reflecting a more informal mind-set among younger people.

It's a worthwhile article to read, especially if you are looking to land a new job. I've listed some of the main points below:

1. Short, sweet, and to the point: Try to find out who is doing the hiring and send the letter to that person. Err on the side of conservativeness. If you don't know how to write a business letter....learn.

2. Sell yourself: Your cover letter gives you a chance to highlight qualities you possess that aren't present in your resume.

3. Double-hitting: If you apply to a job online, follow it up by sending a hard copy of your resume and cover letter. Attach a handwritten note indicating you applied online and that you are very interested in the position.

4. Spell check: It takes just a few seconds to spell check your document on the computer. Cover letters with typos and misspelled words may end up in the trash.

5. Specifics: Omit any specific salary or geographic requirements. Hiring professionals are looking for ways to narrow their pile of applicants down -- don't do it for them.

Illustration by Chris Reed