Cover Letter Resume Writing

Sending a cover letter with your resume is a great way to show your prospective employer that you are serious about the position, embedding the notion that you are a good match for the company or organization. Sometimes applicants get called just because of their powerful cover letter, without the employer even looking at the resume. A cover letter is therefore essentially a resume of its own, so it’s certainly worthwhile to put in the extra time and effort.

Cover letter resume writing and format differ from regular resume writing and format in that the cover letter is a narrative rather than a bulleted list. In other words, a cover letter speaks directly to the reader using sentences and paragraphs, while a resume uses phrases, keywords and lists.

Writing cover letters

Keep your cover letter short and sweet. If you’re emailing your resume, place the cover letter text into the body of the email. If you’re sending the resume by surface mail, enclose the cover letter so that it is the first paper seen upon opening the envelope.

Your cover letter should contain three paragraphs:

1. The first paragraph should touch base with the reader, establishing communication. It should explain how you heard about the position and express your interest in applying for it. At this point, the reader is asking, What can this person give to our company or organization?

2. The second paragraph provides the official answer to that question, explaining what qualifies you for this position. Give the highlights of your experience and what you learned from it.

3. The third paragraph closes the deal – that is, makes sure you get the call back and that your resume gets read. It should be worded powerfully. It should say what personal and professional qualities you, the unique applicant, have to offer this company or organization. It should end leaving the reader dying to meet you. Include your salary requirements in an additional separate paragraph, if asked to do so.

Below is a sample cover letter used to apply for a job in the field of mental health: