Posted on Jul 6, 2015
What are your experiences with cover letters in the private sector?
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Most job applications in the private sector happen online. Many online applications allow you to choose whether you want to include a cover letter along with your resumé. If you are given such an option, you should always attach your cover letter. You are, in essence, communicating to the hiring manager that you are taking the application process seriously and you wish that he/she take you seriously as well.
What are your experiences with cover letters in the private sector? Do you use them? Have they worked? Do you have tips for other RP members?
The RP Civilian Careers Team has put together a step-by-step guide to cover letters for you, it's a wealth of knowledge, check it out:
http://blog.rallypoint.com/2015/07/tips-on-writing-cover-letters-for.html
What are your experiences with cover letters in the private sector? Do you use them? Have they worked? Do you have tips for other RP members?
The RP Civilian Careers Team has put together a step-by-step guide to cover letters for you, it's a wealth of knowledge, check it out:
http://blog.rallypoint.com/2015/07/tips-on-writing-cover-letters-for.html
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Civilian Career
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Employment
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 15
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Cover letters are often over looked yet are critical in applying for a position. More often than not, people simply submit their resume thinking that is all they need to do and wonder why there is no call back. Yet, when you submit a well thought out and well written cover letter, the employer is given the chance to learn more about you, the way you think, and the way you present yourself which can all lead to that call back.
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Elizabeth Malkin
SGT Ben Keen, that is definitely correct. Cover letters are also a great way for those who have served to tell a little bit more about themselves and what they did in the military without having to take that room up in their resume or without having their resume be overly long. It is a golden opportunity for a person to highlight how committed to the role he/she is and what differentiates him/her.
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I have always included a cover letter, even if not specifically asked for it. I learned the hard way that it needs to be tailored to the employer just enough to get their attention but not so much as to be tossed as sucking up. I do think a properly written cover letter can help though.
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My experience has been the best cover letters are those that clearly link your experience/expertise to the specific needs of the organization. Those cover letters are always more useful than ones that are generic (may indicate laziness and/or carpet-bombing the job market), simply highlight what's already contained in the resume (redundant), and/or only articulate your interest (implied, since you've applied). Show that you've researched the organization, are familiar with the challenge they're facing, and that you are uniquely positioned to be successful in helping them meet that challenge.
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Elizabeth Malkin
LTC Kevin B., your point about RESEARCHING the organisation is a really good one! Say things that are specific. Go to the companies' websites and look at their career pages, what words do they use to describe their employees, "fun-loving", "hard working", etc. take the key words and buzz phrases that the company uses and weave them into your cover letter, you are writing something about yourself but framing it in the context of the ideas and mindset that you know that the company wants to think about it!
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SSG Cecilia Clark
As a recruiter, most cover letters and resumes go to a recruiter first. They will never see the hiring manager until your resume has been reviewed by a recruiter. You have must keep this in mind as well. Remember that the majority of recruiters are not experts in your field so if you are able to write a cover letter and a good professional summary highlighting every minimum requirement and how you would be an asset to the company, this will help you. Does this guarantee a phone interview? No, but it will help you. My recommendation is to go to LinkedIn and find the recruiters connect with them and send them a personalized message
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