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During the job application process, the usual procedure for candidates is to submit a cover letter and resume to the company they want to work for. And, many still believe this to be a good idea. There are some career advisors, however, who are beginning to rethink the role of the cover letter, and are now saying that it may be better to just skip it.

According to the cover letter critics, cover letters do usually one of three things. One, they simply restate what is already in the resume, adding no extra insight into the individual, which makes them mostly redundant.

Two, they look more like a form letter than a personalized sales pitch, full of cliches and job search platitudes. It’s clear that the writer simply followed some conventional template. They don’t do much to create a good impression with the hiring manager. The language is trite and overused.

Three, in attempt to make the applicant stand out, the cover letter is filled with the quirky and eccentric, listing things like unusual hobbies or interests. Again, these things often really do little to help hiring managers effectively evaluate the job candidate. The experience they give has little relevance to the requirements of the job.

There are, according to some people, very limited circumstances when you should use a cover letter. These include cases when the applicant knows the name of the person who is hiring for the position, when the applicant has some idea of what the job requirements are, or when the applicant has been referred by someone who knows the hiring manager.

In these situations, the candidate is able to include in the cover letter details that are actually relevant to the needs of the job. For example, if you are applying for a position where you know corporate communications and project management will be involved, you can highlight your experience managing communications for major companies, your project management skills. The cover letter should give the hiring manager a good reason for looking at the resume.

This is much better than a cover letter that just lists facts in a random way, in the hope something will catch the hiring manager’s eye.

If you are looking for work, send your resume to a recruiter at Winston Resources. We can help you get connected with some of New York City’s best employers. Contact us today


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