Why Are Cover Letters Important?

Cover letters introduce an applicant's resume to potential employers and are the first impression that a company will receive of the person they might hire. Candidates often fail to understand the importance of submitting a strong cover letter when submitting applications, but—as they give more insight to who an applicant is as an individual and professional—cover letters are paramount to getting employers to offer a follow-up interview.

How Do Cover Letters Work?

When employers are in the first round of selection, a cover letter will draw more attention to an application as long as it is written to match the particular job description. It is also equally important to ensure that there are no grammatical or spelling mistakes, as these look unprofessional to employers.

A Winning Cover Letter Checklist

• The cover letter is no longer than one page
• The heading of the cover letter and the resume is identical
• The same styles and fonts are used for both resume and cover letter
• Block paragraphs are used
• Business format is used when writing the address and date
• The cover letter includes three paragraphs

A Breakdown of Cover Letters

To fully flesh out a cover letter and make sure that all the relevant information is included, use an opening and closing paragraph as well as a job-matching paragraph. The opening paragraph should mention the job being applied for and why the applicant feels like he or she is the perfect fit. The following job-matching paragraph is an ideal spot for candidates to include their interests, experience, education, and professional qualifications—especially those matching the employer’s needs—in brief. A persuasive closing paragraph will highlight career achievements that are relevant to the position. This paragraph brings the cover letter to a polite close and should include the applicant's availability and a closing salutation.

The career advisors at the Tulane School of Professional Advancement can guide you on all aspects of the job search process, including cover letter writing and applying for highly competitive jobs. Schedule an appointment with the office to learn more and watch out for career development events to keep up with the latest trends in career advancement planning.