In a competitive marketplace it is often not enough to send a resume without a cover letter. The cover letter serves to personalize and bridge the gap between your background and special skills with the needs of the particular employer. Writing an effective cover letter that grabs the reader's attention and does more than repeat the advertisement is an art and a skill that you should start developing now!
The purpose of the cover letter is to sell yourself, your unique set of skills and experiences, toward a particular position and/or employer. It allows you to address relevant information about yourself which might not appear on your resume. A strong, effective cover letter gives your correspondence and application a personal touch which entices the reader to seriously evaluate you.
In addition, in a competitive labor market, employers may use the cover letter as a screening device by:
- closely observing written communication skills,
- paying attention to detail (typos),
- reviewing qualifications relevant to the position or company, and
- evaluating persuasive ability.
In short, the cover letter is much more than a form letter repeating the information in the advertisement or your resume.
Today's Tip: Use Their Language
Every field has its own jargon and technology. Use the right terms to indicate your ability and expertise. An excellent way to improve your knowledge of the field is to read back issues of trade journals and articles by professionals in that particular field. The internet is also an excellent resource. Be careful not to overdo it, though.
Sample Cover Letter:
March 23, 2005
Suzanne Grenier
Business Development Officer
Northfield Savings Bank
25 Bishop Avenue ∙ PO Box 784
Williston, VT 05495-0784
Dear Ms. Grenier:
In my quest to find an exciting internship opportunity, Jennifer Fath, Career and Professional Development Coordinator for the School of Business referred me to your attention. I believe my educational background and skill set would prove to be an asset to Northfield Savings Bank.
As a member of the School of Business at the University of Vermont (UVM), I feel that it is important not only to have a solid academic education but also to understand the actual business world (relating theory to practice). The way in which consumers are driven to banking facilities is something that interests me. Why does customer A choose NSB and customer B choose Fleet? Understanding this concept is essential as the banking industry continues to market to prospective and current customers.
My declared concentration at UVM is Marketing. I have taken a marketing management class. I am currently taking a consumer behavior class and a marketing research class in which I have been asked to write numerous case analyses of companies and their marketing proposals, research, and outcomes. I would like to put my classroom knowledge to work in a corporate setting. In addition, I have served as a bank teller at Commerce Bank in New Jersey for three years. I hold a comprehensive understanding of the customer-employee relationship, the fundamentals of the Federal Bank and the FDIC, laws pertaining to banking, and daily requirements within a branch.
I would be interested in meeting with you to further discuss my qualifications as well as to learn more about the intricacies of Northfield Savings Bank including its continued expansion into Chittenden County. Please contact me so that we may arrange a time to meet and discuss where I might fit in to the company's culture and its business environment. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the status of my candidacy.
Sincerely,
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