What is a Cover Letter?

A resume cover letter highlights your key skills and experiences, specific to the job role for which you are applying. Many potential employers look for a cover letter in your job application and do not entertain resumes that are not preceded with it. However, some find cover letters less important; so, you can avoid cover letters when the job advertisement specifically forbids the use of one. In all other cases, cover letters needs to be included. Cover letters are usually a single page document that is used by employers to screen applicants and select only those, they would like to interview.

Difference between cover letter and resume

Cover letters and resumes serve the same purpose of providing information; that shows, you are quite suitable for the job role. However, both need to be tailored in a manner, that make these two documents appear to be related yet unique. The basic difference between the two are:

• A resume states who, what when and how; whereas, a cover letter gives you an opportunity to explain each of them
• A cover letter is a platform, you can use to express more subjective information; such as, the basis of your interest in any particular position, your values that motivate you to pursue a job, or why the culture of a company appeals to you
• Your cover letter sells your qualification; whereas, your resume provides data to back your letter
• If you are having large gaps, or want a transit from one profile to another, or are conducting a long distance job search - cover letters can be more useful than resumes. It is because resumes provide restricted scope to explain these things positively.
• A resume provides information regarding the jobs you worked for in the past, your educational background and skills. Cover letter provides information as to why you are a good candidate for the job.
• Many employers use cover letter to interpret your background and the way you introduce yourself
• It is only through cover letters that you are able to formally request employers to consider your resume and call you for any interview. This indicates that you have a good sense of etiquette.
• Finally, a cover letter explains why you are sending your resume and how did you come to know about the job opening

How to write a cover letter?

Here are certain guidelines that can help you write a good cover letter:

• Begin with a letterhead: Add a letterhead at the top of your cover letter. Mention your name, address, contact information and email id. Your name needs to have a bigger font size as compared to rest of the information in your letter. This is followed by name of the hiring manager, office address and date. You may use a line to bring visible clarity in between the two sections of this letterhead.

• Include a salutation: If you are aware about the name of concerned hiring manager, your letter needs to start with a salutation "Dear (name)" followed by a comma. If you don't know the name, you can use "Hiring Manager" instead. Be very careful with proper use of "Mr.","Ms.","Dr."etc..

• First paragraph of your letter: This section comprises of only two to three sentences. It is here that you state about the purpose of sending a resume, the profile you are applying for and how did you find the job listing. You may start the sentence in this way:"I am writing in regards...."

• Writing the body of your letter: This section is of two to three paragraphs. You need to have complete knowledge about the company and job role you are applying for. It is in this section, that you mention all your skills and experiences related to the profile. This section is the heart of your letter. Never state what you want from the deal; this will kill the interest of your employer. End this section with a positive statement that will convince employers to invite you for the interview. Always remember to direct the interviewer to your resume attached and welcome them to get in touch with you for the process.

• Give an appropriate ending: The closing lines of your letter need to express your gratitude towards the employer for his/her valuable time. Always write "Yours Sincerely" ,"Respectfully" or something similar; followed by your signature. Use notation "Enclosure(s)" at the bottom to indicate that your letter contains related documents.

Detailed description with examples for writing good cover letters has been provided in various sites. You can visit these sites for any guidance.

Cover letters don't just support your resume. They present you an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and persuade the recruiting team to invite you for further rounds.

Database Administrator Cover Letter Template

Almost every company needs a database administrator to manage its customers' records, shipping, billing, accounting, and CRM information. To execute these duties, you must have a good hand on different types of database software. To show yourself as a strong contender for the job, a database administrator cover letter is of importance for which you will need a professional cover letter template.

Database Administrator Cover Letter Template

Contact Information:

The information about who you are and where do you live has to go first. It gives the readers a clear picture of who has sent the letter.

Sender's Name

Address
City, Zip Code

Phone

Email ID

Date: (MM/DD/Year)

Salutation: (Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name)

First Paragraph:

This paragraph is used to tell the employer from where you came to know about the job opening. It could be a job advertisement, or a reference. If your reason is not matching any of these two, then you may write an unsolicited cover letter. This means it is written to inquire if any position matching to your skills, and experience has any opening or not.

Paragraph 2 & 3:

Paragraph 2 and 3 will form the body paragraphs. Use them to tell the employer how your qualification, skills and experience match with the job. Since this section is essential to convince the employer for providing you with an interview opportunity, use persuasive tone without shedding professionalism. Mention the kind of technical expertise you possess. Include the type of software you have worked on and for what purpose. If you have created, developed and monitored web database system and framework, provide at least one example. Furthermore, what you are capable of doing for the company must go in the body paragraph.

If you are confused about writing the body paragraphs, there are some decent cover letter samples for your profile at BSR. Use them as a reference.

Closing Paragraph:

Let the employer know how interested are you to be associated with the company. Make them realize about the benefits your technical skills can bring to the company. Furthermore, inform when you would be calling to inquire whether you have been short-listed or not. Finally, thank the employer for his or her valuable time.

Closing Salutation:

Since it is a professional letter, the appropriate closing salutation would be 'Sincerely.'

Your Handwritten Signature and typed name:

Enclosure:

A cover letter is always sent with a resume, so mention it here.

Whether you are applying for the first time or changing the job, use this database cover letter template.

IT Cover Letter- Best Guidelines For IT Professionals

IT cover letter

 Cover letters are meant to enhance your resume and the job application.

The purpose of writing it is thus simple, to impress the employer with something more than just your credentials. It is always good to know the employee before actually assigning him the job and responsibilities. The letter is informal in nature and it should be written to tell the employer your actual reason for applying in that company.

Importance of a Cover Letter:

Many times we wonder what is a cover letter and is it really needed to be sent with the resume. Cover letters hold a good amount of importance when applying for a job in the hard copy. With soft copies catching up with the trend of getting employment and the recruiters finding it easy to get what they are looking for with the help of 'keywords' and other such technical things, it is difficult to create the essential impact with the hard copies.  

Resume cover letters take up the task of functioning like a savior for such resumes.
The letter is addressed to the employer directly and you have the liberty to mention your reasons of seeking a job with them and at the same time may include your strengths and achievements. But it is important to not make a duplicate copy of your resume in the letter. The letter should be like a preface of a book (resume in this case), which should make the recipient read your job application.

The language used in the letter should be formal and the word count may range from 250 to 400 words. Divide the letter into two to three paragraphs and the format for the letter is just like any other formal letter, viz., it has an introductory paragraph that tells the reader about you, where you got to know about the job opportunity, etc. The body of the letter is about the job opportunity and your suitability to the job profile as well as the organization. Include a line of gratitude at the end of the cover letter.

Contents of Cover Letter:

The content of the IT cover letter will be totally oriented to the job description given by the employer. Highlight your positive opinions about the organization and your strengths too. This may include skills, languages known, being deft with programming, hobby of being updated with the latest developments, etc.

Thus, keeping all these things in mind, make sure you write the letter personalizing it according to the job demands and also your own credentials.

Resume Cover Letter

resume cover letter

Why are they so important???

cover letter

Cover letters are nowadays very much a part of the resume and job application. Wondering what is a cover letter? It is an informal business letter in which you address the employer or the recruiter telling why you are interested in the job profile. It is a tool which candidates can use for creating a sincere impression in the recruiter's eyes.

Out of all the other applicants vying for the same post, it is necessary to stand out and have a personal interaction with them, and to get this chance before you are actually called for the interview, resume cover letter is the way to go.

In a cover letter, you may mention your personal motives of wishing to join the organization and tell the employer how it is going to help you in your career plan. Along with this, it is important to mention how they, as employers, are going to benefit by investing in you.

Project your best of achievements and capabilities in the cover letter and ensure that you give them what they are looking for. Read the job description well before making your resume and drafting the cover letter. It is important to be shown as useful in the letter itself and not wait until you are called for the interview.

Experts advise to make use of the cover letters for evading competition a little. The employer reads many resumes and have to short list accordingly, but when they read a personal letter that expresses the strengths, motivation factors, and commitment towards them, it definitely adds as a big point as far as the sell ability of that candidate is concerned.

Use formal language strictly and proofread the draft well, at least twice. Introduce yourself to the employer, give your background (educational or geographical location wise). Provide reference of where you have seen the advertisement of the vacant positions along with the date (if possible).

The length of the cover letter can be a full page, but in no way should it exceed a page; two to three paragraphs giving all the relevant and sufficient data as mentioned here would be sufficient. Just bear in mind not to recreate the resume in the cover letter. It should be like an introduction statement to your resume, not a replica.

There are sample cover letters for resumes available for different job profiles on the internet. One can easily get access to them and it will help you decide how to draft your own letter.