To include a cover letter, or not to include a cover letter?...that is the question. Or is it? The disputed argument over whether it is necessary to include a cover letter in your resume or not can make it confusing for job seekers, eager to begin the submission of of their resumes. However, the very purpose of a cover letter is to interpret the data-oriented, factual resume and add a personal touch to be confident that the employer reviewing the resume remembers you. Therefore, the inclusion of a cover letter is not open for discussion unless an employer specifically states that a cover letter is not needed. If you are wondering why all the commotion regarding the inclusion of a cover letter, here are a few reason why you absolutely should pair it with your resume:
1.) By submitting your resume and cover letter together, it provides you with a personal and professional branding strategy. Together, the documents work together to provide employers with a full picture of who you are and what you have to offer.
2.) While some may believe that you may not upload a cover letter to an internal database, plenty of sites allow you to upload a cover letter and you should take full advantage of this opportunity. Share something about yourself that the resume could not include.
3.) Some people believe that ALL hiring managers skip through the cover letters, so why even submit them? Bad assumption. Perhaps you submit your resume to a hiring manager that does in fact read every cover letter they receive, and if yours is absent, so is the personal approach and therefore, an interview may not be in your future.
4.) Writing skills are crucial and a cover letter gives you the opportunity to demonstrate yours. A well-written cover letter will give the employer insight into your abilities in the writing area.
The value of a cover letter cannot be ignored. Do not follow the assumption that your cover letter will not be read, there are some people who will. It is impossible to differentiate which hiring managers will and will not read your cover letter, but by covering all of the bases, you will raise you chances of landing an interview.
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