Difference Between Resume & Cover Letter+Sample
A letter creates a connection between the job requirements and a resume. It explains why you are qualified for the job. Experts agree that a professional cover letter is critical for introducing your resume, whether delivered by mail, email, read verbally, or uploaded to a job application website. Clear, concise cover letters summarizing your accomplishments and skills and their relevance to your potential new position are significantly more likely to help you obtain a job interview.
A resume is a checklist of your skills, accomplishments, and experiences. Conversely, a cover letter clarifies why you are qualified for a specific job and a good fit for the company. It should reflect warmth and personality as it will persuade employers that you’re an excellent match for the job. A cover letter is better than a resume when communicating subjective points such as the basis of your desire for the role, what you admire about their products or services, or why the organization’s culture matches your own. Cover letters help you sell your credentials to prospective employers, while your resume provides the evidence to back it up. A professionally written cover letter adds energy to an otherwise monotonous application. It can decide between you obtaining an interview or a rejection email. Writing a cover letter is a good rehearsal for your verbal elevator pitch.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be For a Job Application?
A cover letter for a business job application should be a maximum of 300 words, preferably less, according to SHRM and other human resources experts. Letters for academic and clinical roles may be longer. Avoid the temptation to replicate the resume or CV in the cover letter. Some recruiters may not read letters if they do not contain unique, personal text that connects the job requirements and a resume. The interview is where you will provide specific, detailed examples of why you are qualified for the job, not the letter.
What does “Enclosure: Resume” mean in a cover letter?
“Enclosure: Resume” is an old formal phrase referring to when paper resumes and letters were mailed within a paper envelope. “Enclosure: Resume” written in the letter tells the reader not to miss the paper resume enclosed within the paper envelope. The phrase has carried over to digital documents and email. “Enclosure: Resume” communicates that the resume is included within the communication (email or upload to application portal) as a separate document, not within the cover letter document.
What does “cover” letter mean in a cover letter?
The word “cover” in cover letter refers to the past when the paper letter acted as a book cover to the paper resume.
Steve Jobs CEO Cover Letter Example to Apple Computer (Hypothical)
Are cover letters necessary in 2024?
Yes. 87% of hiring managers will not give a candidate an interview if they don’t attach a required cover letter to an application.
We recommend uploading the letter as part of the application, emailing it, and your resume to the job recruiter in human resources as well as the hiring executive — your future boss! Also, send paper versions via overnight mail for maximum impact. You can use the same tactics even if the company does not have a relevant job opening – as a way to be top-of-mind for future opportunities. We have written cover letters for clients in 200+ industries within the United States and 30+ other countries. We provide one-to-one, personalized service with a professional, top-rated cover letter writer who is knowledgeable about your industry. You will receive your cover letter in Microsoft Word. A PDF version is available upon request. Our clients have rated us as among the best cover letter writing services. Or you can write your own using our cover letter template.
