Marketing Yourself with Your Cover Letter

Let's say you are applying for truck driving jobs.  Do you need to include a cover letter with your application? Yes, absolutely- read on to find out why!

You have probably contemplated whether or not it's worth it to write a cover letter when trying to find a new job.  Does it make a difference? Does anyone read it? What information should it include?  Well, HR professionals resoundingly answer that it DOES matter, and, all things being equal, a well-written cover letter can give you an advantage over an applicant that doesn't submit one at all.

It may help you to think of your cover letter as the "sales pitch" that accompanies your "marketing material"- which is your resume.  You wouldn't likely buy a product just based on a list of specifications, someone needs to tell you why you need it.  Your cover letter fulfills the same function!

It's important to represent yourself as best as possible when applying for a job, as employers usually receive an absolute avalanche of resumes when they open up a position.  They don't have time to sift through each and every resume, so your cover letter can go a long way towards enlightening them as to your potential.

So how can your cover letter set you apart?

Your cover letter is your personal introduction, the yin to your resume's more formal yang.  The cover letter explains what you want to do in your potential new position, and what makes you qualified to do it.  Your cover letter should include a quick introduction, the name of the position you are applying for, what interests you in the position, and why you are qualified to do it.  DO NOT, however, include your salary history/requirements- they go in a separate document.

It's important that you state your qualifications in a way that doesn't make you seem overconfident or worse, cocky.  You should look through the job advertisement that originally attracted you and pick out a few of the requirements, then list them.  Alongside this list, note any experience, qualifications, certifications or any other factor that proves that you have the desired skills and experience for the position in question.  Then, simply close with a "thank you" and provide your contact information.  Make sure that you include a full version of your contact info on the cover letter in case it gets separated from your resume.