Once you have completed your rsum or CV, there is still one step before you can send it off. You need to write your covering letter for a job application. A good cover letter is a great tool which will help you set yourself above other applicants.

Situation #1

When you are applying for a job, it is considered standard practice to send out a covering letter with your rsum or CV; in fact, most advertisements will ask for one. So you should always send an accompanying letter, even if the ad doesn't mention it.

Why is this so important?

For a start, it looks much more professional and secondly it explains why you are sending in your rsum or CV. You may think that is blindingly obvious, but it is possible that the company has advertised a number of positions at the same time. You may have seen these in the same advertisement, but they could have been advertised elsewhere, especially if they relate to different departments and different types of job. So the HR department needs to know which job you are applying for and they don't have time to read the entire CV to try and figure it out.

The person who opens the mail is probably a secretary who has nothing to do with the selection process. So your letter needs to start with a clear indication that you are applying for a specific job, by mentioning the job title, the website or publication in which it was advertised, the date of the ad and the reference if there was one.

Situation #2

When you are applying to an agency, either for a specific job or to be considered for any jobs which are suitable for you.

Agencies get hundreds of rsums in the post or via email every day and they can't keep track of them unless the applicant clearly states why he or she is sending it in. Is it to apply for a specific job, as a result of a phone conversation with someone at the agency or is it in response to a general request of rsums on the agency website?

If you get junk mail or email, you know how annoying it is to receive mail from someone you don't know with no clear indication of why they are writing to you. You will probably delete the email or put the letter in the trash. Do you want the agency to do the same to your CV?

Situation #3

When you are sending a rsum or CV to a company "cold", it is absolutely crucial that you enclose a letter explaining why you are doing so. Otherwise the CV you have sweated over for hours, is destined to be filed in the bin without a second glance. You must take the time to introduce yourself, explain why you are contacting them and give a compelling reason for them to read your rsum.

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Writing a covering letter for a job application is not difficult. Find out exactly how to do it here. http://jobseekerssuccesskit.com/covering-letter-for-job-application