What's the Deal with Cover Letters??

By: Kandice Thorn

Career advisors give widely diverse advice when it comes to cover letters.  Some assert that a good cover letter is key to getting a good job.  Others tell you that cover letters are obsolete and nobody reads them anyway.  The truth is probably a mix - some recruiters read cover letters and care very much about what they say; many others (perhaps most) toss them in the trash immediately; some might read them only after the resume has passed muster.


So what does all this mean for you?  How does this inform your drafting?  Here are my top five pieces of cover letter advice:

1.  Keep it short.  2-3 paragraphs is all you need.  Anything longer will definitely not get read.  One should be able to read it at a glance.  If a reader can't get the main points by skimming alone, it's too long or too wordy or both.  If you want your cover letter to be noticed, a short letter is much more likely to be read than a long one.

2.  Do not rehash your resume.  Instead, focus on 2-3 things you want the employer to know about you.  Try to put a spin on it that is different from what is in your resume, for example by tying two experiences together in a new way that makes sense given the job qualifications.

3.  Tie your skills to the needs of the company/position.  This demonstrates that you know the position and have done your research.

4.  Convey enthusiasm for the position and the company.

5.  Don't put too much pressure on the cover letter.  This is not to say that you shouldn't proofread - just like everything you submit to a potential employer, the document should be flawless - but don't agonize over whether you highlighted the right skill to a particular employer.  Chances are nobody will read it anyway.