Questions and Answers about a Cover Letter

Before you write your cover letter, read this guide to frequently asked questions:

Q: I've heard employers don't bother reading cover letters, so aren't they just a waste of time?

A: Some busy hiring managers don't read cover letters on the initial screening. But others will read the letter, if not initially, then on the second pass. So the cover letter can definitley help you and it certaintly won't hurt your chances. It's a great opportunity to sell your unique qualifications.

Q: What if the ad doesn't request a cover letter?

A: You should always include a cover letter, even if the job posting doesn't request one. First, it's just a good business etiquette. Second, it helps hiring managers quickly evaluate the position you're applying for. Third, and perhaps most important, a cover letter gives you another opportunity to sell your credentials.

Q: Can I repeat what's in my resume on my cover letter?

A: It's a mistake to simply copy information from your resume into your cover letter. Your resume's telegraphic writing style (where personal pronouns and articles like "the" and "a" may be omitted) is not appropriate for a cover letter. In fact, a cover letter gives you another opportuinty to sell your credentials.

Q: Do I need to customize my cover letter?

A: Spending a few extra minutes customizing your letter for each job application is recommended. You'll certainly want to make sure the correct company name, job title and contact person are included in every letter you send. It's also a good idea to take note of requierments or desired qualifications mentioned in job descriptions, and use your cover letter to bring out your matching skills and credentials. Try to read between the lines when reviewing job postings to get important to the hiring manager. (You may want to review the job description to make sure.) For example, if the description mentions multitasking as a desired skill, be sure that the cover letter contains a sentence that demonstrates your ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects.

Q: What if I don't know the hiring manager's name?

A: When a job posting doesn't give you a specific contact name, avoid using the overly formal "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern". Instead, try calling the employer to find out the hiring manager's name. If the employer's name is masked or if the ad specifies "no phone calls", use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Human Resource Committe" if a recruting firm is handling the initial screening use "Dear Recruiter".

Q: Finally, what should I say about salary requierments if mentioned in a job posting?

A: The best strategy is to acknowldge the request in your cover letter without going into specific detail. Providing hard numbers now weakens your negotiating power later. If your requierments fall outside the position's parameters, you may not even be considered for the job. It's best to indicate in your cover letter that you would be happy to discuss salary requierments once a mutual interest has been established. However, if you really feel pressured or asked for the number by the employer, provide a board range like $30K to $50K.