Posted on Jul 10, 2016
Is a strong Cover Letter with the Resume an important step in getting that “Second Look” from Recruiters Online?
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With the Online Job Boards being overrun with hundreds of resumes hourly the minute a job is posted, has the Cover Letter outlived its usefulness?
I'd like to get some Civilian Recruiters, as well as HR Experts on RP to respond to this question and let us know what they look for in today's market as a professional recruiter for companies.
Is the Cover Letter more important than the Resume?
I'd like to get some Civilian Recruiters, as well as HR Experts on RP to respond to this question and let us know what they look for in today's market as a professional recruiter for companies.
Is the Cover Letter more important than the Resume?
Posted in these groups: 
Resume
What Would You Do
Civilian Recruiter
Human Resources
Civilian Supporter
Resume What Would You Do Civilian Recruiter Human Resources Civilian Supporter
Edited 9 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 33
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It can be.
The simplest way get an interview is to have a direct referral. If someone in the company can send an email or information HR or the hiring official that you're a great candidate that goes a long way.
The cover letter is important and might make you stand out. I typically focus on companies core values and present a paragraph or two showing how my experience and skills align. Specifically, I might even start with Integrity or Leadership in bold. Then write a short paragraph showing past successful results relating to that corporate value.
The simplest way get an interview is to have a direct referral. If someone in the company can send an email or information HR or the hiring official that you're a great candidate that goes a long way.
The cover letter is important and might make you stand out. I typically focus on companies core values and present a paragraph or two showing how my experience and skills align. Specifically, I might even start with Integrity or Leadership in bold. Then write a short paragraph showing past successful results relating to that corporate value.
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1LT William Clardy
I use a similar approach, CPT (Join to see), but my cover letters are very formulaic:
• Intro paragraph
• 3 bullets representing my best guesstimate of what the hiring manager's most important needs/desires are, along with the skills and experience (listed in the backing resume) I can bring to bear on them.
• Concluding paragraph, with strong cuing for follow-on discussion.
Basically, my cover letter serves as a guide for showing the hiring manager how my resume matches the job requirements. It tends to work well that way because most of the time my resume is being forwarded by a recruiter, and most recruiters I've dealt with have considered that simple 1-page cover letter a good selling point in a career field filled with 5- to 10-page resumes.
• Intro paragraph
• 3 bullets representing my best guesstimate of what the hiring manager's most important needs/desires are, along with the skills and experience (listed in the backing resume) I can bring to bear on them.
• Concluding paragraph, with strong cuing for follow-on discussion.
Basically, my cover letter serves as a guide for showing the hiring manager how my resume matches the job requirements. It tends to work well that way because most of the time my resume is being forwarded by a recruiter, and most recruiters I've dealt with have considered that simple 1-page cover letter a good selling point in a career field filled with 5- to 10-page resumes.
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Thanks for highlighting the idea of using a tailored cover letter when sending a resume COL Mikel J. Burroughs. In an age when so many use text messaging which mitigates against good spelling and grammar, it is useful to help people focus on the art of communication in the job search and application process.
Researching a company before a-plying is a great idea to be able to tailor your resume and assist you in the interview process.
Researching a company before a-plying is a great idea to be able to tailor your resume and assist you in the interview process.
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The cover letter should be a direct response to the job posting; time permitting, you may want to make adjustments to your resume in response to the job posting as well.
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The best resume I ever used was submitted electronically, and was notable in what it didn't say. I called the manager and told him that I had read my resume, and that I wouldn't hire me! He disagreed. :)
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I will say it is important for the first look. If you write it well enough you will display your skills that meet the requirements the are looking for. Think of it as the appetizer to the meal which is the resume. It gives the recruiter enough interest to spend more than the average 6 seconds looking at your resume.
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TSgt Alex Benningfield
In terms of the second look I will agree with CW3 Dylan Raymond, not necessarily. After the first look the recruiter needs another reason to look st it, many suggest a thank you letter after an interview. But I am still in the process of learning the civilian ins and outs for the job hunt myself
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I think the cover letter is first and foremost is the cover letter is often your first opportunity to make your first impression. May generate the curiosity to even look at your resume'
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In writing it is called the Hook! which is why some books get read and other not. Same applies to dating it as all about the hook!
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1LT William Clardy
More like "someone who can be fooled", CPT Pedro Meza. I have yet to see any reason to consider you a fool.
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