Write a Real Cover Letter, Not Just a Resume Rehash

Write a Real Cover Letter, Not Just a Resume RehashA Real Cover Letter, Not a Resume RehashWrite a Real Cover Letter, Not Just a Resume RehashIm always suspicious when I hear recruiters or career experts say the titelblatt letter is dead. Im sure there are some companies that dont want titel letters, but most still do. If youre looking for excuses not to write a cover letter, you can find plentyNobody reads cover letters anymoreElectronic scanners strip them outLetter-writing ability has no relevance to the job andThey didnt specifically ask for a cover letter.Fair enough. But what if nobody reads cover letters except your would-be boss? Our CEO (who has hired a lot of people in the past few years) says he wont even consider a job candidate who hasnt bothered to write a cover letter. To me, that says they dont care enough about the job to put the time and effort into it.Letter-writing may not be relevant to all jobs, but willingness to go the extra mile and attention to detail are. The presence of a cover letter helps prove you possess those qualities the absence implies you dont.I suspect the biggest reason people try to get out of writing a cover letter is that they dont know what to write. I already put everything in my resume What else can I say?Well, here are four tips for writing a standout cover letter that will invite hiring managers to read your resume, but wont rehash every detailDrop the name of someone who referred youYour former colleague Tim Williams suggested I send you my resume. He and I were discussing how easily my background in ____ could transfer to your .Spotlight a particular part of your resumeI would especially like to direct your attention, as you read my resume, to my four years as the ____ at XYZ Construction, a role that required many of the same skills as this opportunity .Point out how your past experience prepared you for the new jobMy three years producing ____ at Smith Company and two years of ___ at Jones Corporation have giv en me the multi-faceted expertise to successfully implement your ...Express your interest, enthusiasm, and gratitudeYour firms reputation for ____ and my longstanding interest in ____ make this opportunity extremely attractive to me. I appreciate the time youve taken to consider my candidacy, and am eager to take the next step.So, cover all the bases and write the cover letter (but dont screw it up.) And while youre at it, think about what youll say in the thank-you notes you send after the interview