Hiring managers: Do you read cover letters?

would you read a cover, jag?

 

I don't know why any manager worth his or her salt wouldn't read cover letters.

 

Depends on the lyrics and who sang the original, TP.

 

Perfect, concise primer.

 

Say a job listing has 58 different desired qualifications. I just made the number up, but there are listings with a ridiculous number of qualifications. Do you try to touch on the ones you're strong at in the cover letter, tweak your resume to include the main qualifications or just not worry about it?

 

Your resume needs to have the keywords in it.

 

Very good advice from Moddy.

I read cover letters very closely. A well-written one can separate you from the pack. Some tips:

1) Don't rehash the resume. I can read. Spin that resume forward. Show me how those experiences relate to the job you're seeking. Put yourself in the job. Use the cover letter to show that you know what the company you're applying to is about and how what you're about can fit in and help them.

2) Don't send the same letter you sent 27 other places. Personalize, personalize, personalize.

3) I've never met anyone named "Hiring Manager." Do some research and find out who needs to get the letter.

A cover letter can tell me a lot about an applicant ... subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle clues about how they compete, how they communicate, how they prepare, how they research, how interested they really are in the opening, how much they pay attention to detail. A good cover letter can get you into the game; the resume, clips and interview seal the deal.

True story: On a job search some time ago, I came across an excellent cover letter. It was attached to resume that on its surface would not make the first cut. But the letter piqued my interest. I sent a message to the sender: "You're up against some talented people but if you can compete on a beat like you compete in a cover letter, you might have a shot at this. I'll give you 10 minutes to convince me you can bring us more than a good letter..." The reporter nailed that subsequent phone interview with a terrific plan on how to cover the beat, and with it, launched a career. The conversation never would have taken place without that cover letter.

 

and that's why you are getting a mental hug in my mind right now, missy.

 

damn, if i ever applied for a job at your shop, i'd like change my name on my resume to something like thomas c. pety just to trick you so you wouldn't know who it was.

 

When I did hiring, I absolutely read the cover letter. I want as much info on a candidate as possible, and the cover letter can enhance or DQ your resume.

 

The entire point of a cover letter is to show why you're better than the other dozen applicants with similar resumes and clips.

Be creative. Be memorable. Managers are seeing so many similar resumes and clip packets. I don't care how certain you are about your great clips or resume. Someone applying for the job can match you.

Make yourself stand out. Do it in no more than one page. And write it well.

I remember walking into an interview with an assistant sports editor at a major metro newspaper who was doing a secondary interview. He said, "Oh, you're the guy who [highly specific detail from my cover letter]." He didn't remember my name, but he remembered my cover letter. I didn't get the job, but, at the time, I wasn't qualified. That cover letter made me a finalist.