A cover letter is a letter of introduction to an employer which is used to formally submit a resume for employment review. The purpose of the cover letter is to identify your intent to 'apply for' or "seek out" a specific position within a company. It is also to formally present yourself as available for a job position or range of position with a company.

Most importantly, the cover letter is an opportunity to quickly introduce yourself and grab the employer's attention. Like the resume it is another chance to market yourself to the hiring manager, prompting them to read your resume and ultimately grant a job interview. A cover letter is a critical part of the job search process. It allows you the opportunity to gain some interest from the employer.

A cover letter introduces your resume and spells out your reason for sending the resume. It also presents your qualifications and availability to prospective employers. If written in a succinct, appealing format, it is your first opportunity to make an impression with the hiring authority or HR department. By sending a cover letter with your resume you tell the reader you are serious about your job search. It should entice the reader to review your resume over the many others received for each open position.

I'm regularly asked, "Do I really need a cover letter?" I always answer -YES- because sending a resume through mail is like showing up at your physician's office without an appointment-you will probably get nowhere. Your resume should arrive on the decision maker's desk with a cover letter that introduces you and presents your qualification in such a manner as to entice him/her to actually read your resume.

Cover letter should be clear and to the point so that they can be quickly scanned by the reader. They should include the specific job title you are applying for. They should provide a list of reasons your experience makes you a good fit with the position. They should provide a brief summary of your career highlights. A cover should mention something specific about the company and should be address to specific individual whenever possible.

The cover letter is an excellent vehicle to brag about your special skills and accomplishments. Cover letters can also be used effectively to make you stand out from the crowd and to show how you would be a valuable addition to the company.

One of the most effective tools of cover letter is that it allows you to be proactive. You can state that you are available to fill immediate or anticipated needs; you can provide a variety of ways to communicate with you(home number, cell phone number, email address).You can also note that you will follow up by telephone to provide additional information if necessary. You can even say "please keep this resume and cover letter on your desk and I will call you Thursday morning" (or other specific date or time) If so, don't forget to call.

You can use cover letter when:

* Applying for a position in response to a job advert or online job posting
* Submitting the cover after being referred from a colleague
* Sending your resume to employer that you know hires people in your field and industry
* Using a cover letter to introduce your resume for an internal position.

For details on how to write an effective cover letter, you can email me at emmanuel(at)ibadanjobvacancies.com

Emmanuel Newman Adedayo is a career coach and a formost job trainer. His sense of urgency to help job applicants secure their dream job has given him a place in the heart of many. He can be reached at emmanuel(at)ibadanjobvacancies.com