Resume and Cover Letter - A Dynamic Duo
In today's job market, it is important to make a good first
impression. Although you don't always need a cover letter, it
helps to make a connection with the reader because it is more
conversational and situational. It is also the place to
communicate information that is not appropriate to include on
your resume such as relocation and salary This article will show
you how powerful the combination of a resume and cover letter
can be when sent together.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SEND A RESUME WITHOUT A COVER LETTER?
Pretend that you are a HR Manager in a busy Human Resource
Department of a large product distribution company that has over
15 divisions on a large complex divided between four buildings.
This company is always growing, has many different types of job
openings, a fabulous website, and is constantly advertising for
new talent. As you can imagine, the resumes that pour in by
email, postal mail, and fax is overwhelming to say the least.
Screening these resumes is a full time job in itself!
Now, a resume comes in over the fax machine without a cover
letter. It is very impressive. The person has fifteen years of
well-rounded experience that includes five strong positions in
the areas of sales, customer service, billing and collections,
events coordinator, and computer trainer. Wow, they can do
almost anything! But what position are they looking for and why
are they contacting the company? Are they exploring their
options (cold-calling) or answering an advertised job vacancy
(ad response)?
There is no objective at the top of the resume (because the job
seeker didn't want to "lock themselves in to one position) and
there is no accompanying cover letter! Without the cover letter,
the result is the same as a job showing up unexpectedly for a
job interview. There are just too many unanswered questions. Who
are you? What position are you seeking? How did you hear about
us? Why are you interested in our company?
Unfortunately, with all of these unanswered questions, the
resume is going end up in the trash. A busy company just doesn't
have the time to call a job seeker to ask them what position
they are seeking. Nor do they have time to figure it out. The
only time it is acceptable to send a resume without a cover
letter is when the company indicates "resumes only" in their ad.
Otherwise, it is best to send a cover letter even when it is not
specified to send one.
Remember, the cover letter needs the resume and the resume needs
the cover letter. Together they are truly a dynamic duo! It is
your first impression -- make it count!