A cover letter is a document you send in with a job application and a resume to “highlights your key accomplishments and fit for a job opening. A cover letter adds focus to your resume” (Hansen, 2008). Because a cover letter often fills in the gaps of a resume and states the intentions of the applicant, it can often be viewed as a staple when applying for a job. In other words, you should write one whether the employer specifically asks for a cover letter or not. Below are some great websites to help you write a cover letter, and great sites that offer tips on how to write a quality cover letter.
Cover Letter Sample Sites:
- http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_ad_letter.html
- http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_cold_contact.html
- http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/clet-ex1.php
- http://career-advice.monster.com/sample-resumes/Sample-Letters/home.aspx
- Sample cover letter template: http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/ctemp.php
Tips and Help Writing Cover Letters:
- Tips for cover letter writing: http://www.cvtips.com/job_application_cover_letter.html
- More cover letter writing tips- Article: "What is a cover letter -- and why is it important?" by: Randall S. Hansen http://www.quintcareers.com/career_doctor_cures/cover_letter.html
- Article: “Don’t Apply Without a Cover Letter” by: Anthony Balderrama http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1213&SiteId=cbmsn41213&sc_extcmp=JS_1213_advice&catid=cl
- Article: “Writing a Winning Cover Letter in 15 Minutes” by: Selena Denhe http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1213&SiteId=cbmsn41213&sc_extcmp=JS_1213_advice&catid=cl
- “Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts” by: Katharine and Randall Hansen http://www.quintcareers.com/cover_letter-dos-donts.html
- “The Dynamic Cover Letters Formula for Job-Search Success” by: Katharine and Randall Hansen. http://www.quintcareers.com/cover_letters.html
- http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm
Citation:
Hansen, R. (2008). The Career Doctor’s Cures & Remedies: What is a cover letter -- and why is it important? Retrieved September 21, 2008, from Quintessential Careers Web site: http://www.quintcareers.com/career_doctor_cures/cover_letter.html .