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Does the cover letter go before the resume? Employers read a resume first and then the cover letter. Your prospective employer will look at the resume to ensure you have the right skills and experience. If your resume has information relevant to the position, they will take the time to read your cover letter.
Employers often read cover letters for positions that require specific skills. For example, they read cover letters for IT, programming, computer, and engineering positions. Remember, your potential employer will read the cover letter after he/she likes your resume. Otherwise, the employer or recruiting manager will ignore reading it. Read on!
What do employers want?
Does a cover letter go before a resume? No, it does not! Employers always look at the resume first and review the information. If they need more information, they will read the cover letter. It does not make sense to read all the details in your cover letter.
Employers receive hundreds of resumes and cover letters, which they lack time to go through all. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if you have applied for journalism, copywriting, editing positions, or any other creative field, they may read the cover letter first to analyze your writing skills.
A cover letter is an application with a one-page length. It introduces your work history, skills, experience, and personal interest in applying for a specific job. Although many people think that cover letters are an obsolete concept currently, they are still an essential part of the job application.
Where should a cover letter go on a resume?
A cover letter usually goes in your job application with your resume. The employer or hiring manager will read your resume and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for the position. If you have an outstanding resume, your employer will read the cover letter and later schedule an interview.
It is crucial to write an effective cover letter to grab the employer's attention. Make sure you follow a consistent approach to ensure they read to the end.
An effective cover letter includes two main topics. The first one is about showcasing your skills and convincing your potential employer.
The second one is about showing your passion for and interest in the job. Make sure you write a cover letter that contains authentic information. Avoid general information and fluff. Employers have years of experience reviewing cover letters, meaning they know whether the information is fluff or factual.
Common Cover Letter Mistakes
Writing a good cover letter is equally as important as preparing your resume. Here are a few mistakes people make when writing a cover letter.
Writing “Dear Sir”
Avoid gender bias. at times, the hiring manager could be a lady. So, if you write “dear sir,” she may not like the salutation.
It is crucial to find out information about the person who will review your resume and cover letter. You can get this information from the company's HR department. If you don't want to write a person's name, you can write “Hiring manager” or “Human Resource Department.”
Not Proofreading
Avoid sending cover letters prior to editing and proofreading. Grammatical and typographical errors can impact your cover letter negatively. They create a bad impression. You can prevent this by reading cover letter templates or samples. If you don't know how to write an effective cover letter, make sure you consult your career counselor for a resume critique. Visit this link for products related to cover letters.
Writing a Generic Letter
Avoid writing a generic letter. Perform thorough research about the company and mention its name to make a better impression. Also, avoid too much flattering. You should learn what the company pride itself on, including its products, awards, achievements, etc. Visit the company's official website to get more information.
Conclusion
Does a cover letter go before a resume? Your cover letter is an important one-page document that plays a crucial role in the hiring process. It is usually read after resumes by most hiring managers.
Some Of My Favorite Tools
Thank you again for reading my article. Writing this blog takes a lot of time, attention, and effort so I take care in using a very standard set of tools to deliver my blog to you. Maybe you will find these helpful if you have any similar interests along your career path.
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Online Privacy: I work hard and strive to keep confidential business details private. Therefore, I always want to keep my work viewable only by the correct people. One of the ways I protect myself online is by using a VPN and more specifically I personally use NordVPN. I use NordVPN specifically because it's fast, I can use it on any of my devices, and I can chose from any specific location. If you are looking to retain your privacy online, I highly recommend NordVPN to both my friends and family.
