The Pongo Blog
6 Reasons You Won't Get Hired Without a Cover Letter
April 23, 2008 (10:15AM) by Brianna Raymond, CPRW
Without a cover letter, you're relying solely on your resume to make a big enough impact that the hiring manager will call you back for an interview. That's asking a lot. From demonstrating your communication skills to keeping the follow-up ball in your court, a cover letter can strengthen your candidacy and increase your odds of landing an interview. Here are 6 valid reasons why a cover letter is absolutely necessary:
- It tells the employer who you are and why they want you.
Yes, the Objective or Professional Summary on your resume also does this, but only in so many words. In the body of the letter, you have the room to elaborate on your experiences and interest in the position.
- It showcases your writing ability.
Resumes have strict formulas with bullet points and short, choppy statements. A cover letter allows you to write more fluently. Since employers like to see that you can communicate well in writing, a proper cover letter puts the right foot forward from the get-go.
- It lets you highlight your strengths.
Your resume lists the roles you played and the significant accomplishments you achieved in your most recent positions. But when you're constrained to one page (or two, if you have that much relevant experience), you may be forced to sacrifice some details in favor of length. In your cover letter, you can explain and draw attention to a few noteworthy experiences from your resume. It also helps start to demonstrate your personality, which is often even more important than your qualifications.
- It shows that you're serious about the opportunity.
One of the biggest complaints recruiters and managers have when they're actively looking for a new hire is the applicants' failure to provide a cover letter. When you apply for a job by simply submitting your resume and nothing more, the hiring manager could interpret this as a lazy move on your part. If two equally qualified candidates apply, do you want to be the one who took the time to write a cover letter, or the one who didn't?
- It makes up for a resume that can't stand alone.
Granted, your resume should be effective if unaccompanied by a cover letter, but in case that resume just isn't as persuasive as you thought it was, a cover letter can make up for it. There are numerous instances where a strong cover letter - not the resume - instigates a callback.
- It sets up the follow-up.
Instead of leaving the next step in the employer's hands, use your cover letter to take control of the follow-up process. In the closing, specify a specific date and time that you will call them. The follow-up in your cover letter eliminates the waiting game so you can move on with an interview or move on to another job opening.
A cover letter can make or break your chance at an interview. Have you seen a higher number of callbacks when you use them (versus not using them)?
I've been in the corporate marketplace for just about ten years now. Having applied for countless jobs and working at a good handful of companies during that time, I can say that I've used cover letters on a few occasions and they certainly have yielded a higher response rate from potential employers. Like Brianna suggests, without a cover-letter you're just another 'one in a million' job applicant. With a cover-letter, you are the 'one from a million' that stands out and you'll have a much higher chance of getting that callback. In all reality, if you're looking for the "best" job, you should want an employer that requests or mandates a cover-letter with each resume submission. That way, you know right from the start that the employer isn't just look for someone to 'fill in the gaps'; they're looking for a long-term stable employee and odds are that they're willing to pay you more for that privilege too. Great advice!
Posted by: Double O Seven | April 24, 2008 at 10:30 AM | Quote This Comment
I have been seeking a career in the Administrative area of either Law, or nonprofit organziations and have found that in the interview many interviewers do not know how to interview. They appear to be only interested in how much salary you require. Lawyers inparticular are somewhat furgal and are not really interested in your qualifications or skills as much as they are in salary requirements. If I have submitted a cover letter there is very little discussion and I get the sense that they did not throughly read. This is the same feeling I get with a resume. It always appears to me while in the interview that they have not carefully reviewed or read either the cover letter or resume and I wonder how on earth did I get called for an interview. So now I wonder if your advise to have a cover is really worth providing or if I am looking in the wrong field.
Posted by: Loretta Gallegos | December 10, 2008 at 11:50 AM | Quote This Comment
well it is all right but it is kinda confusing... thanks for the advice
Posted by: pickle | January 04, 2009 at 3:14 PM | Quote This Comment
How do I develop a cover letter that emphasizes the strenght of my abilities that align with their requirements without bringing attention to those that are weaker?
Posted by: Kathy | February 04, 2009 at 9:01 PM | Quote This Comment
Posted by: non | February 16, 2009 at 7:34 PM | Quote This Comment
It's rather difficult to follow up re: call back time when replying to a 'blind' help wanted. Many places use PO boxes to keep people from walking in off the street (dental, for ex) & preventing staff from working. Cover letters have always been difficult for me, but after nearly 20 yrs of employment, I have to search again. All we can do is keep trying.
Posted by: Mary | March 23, 2009 at 12:43 PM | Quote This Comment
I've been out of work for over a year and haven't never included a cover letter with any of the other resumes. How do you get back in the game when jobs are so scarce and everybody wants a resume now with a cover letter? Lil
Posted by: Lillian | March 25, 2009 at 11:50 AM | Quote This Comment
Hi Lillian,
My advice is to give the employers what they want and write a cover letter. It's more work on your part, but it pays off and gives you an edge over all the other applicants who don't submit a cover letter.
If the task seems daunting, check out some cover letter samples through a Google search. Pongo also provides an excellent Cover Letter Builder that does most of the work for you!
Good luck!
Brianna
Posted by: Brianna | March 25, 2009 at 11:58 AM | Quote This Comment
Posted by: brandy | March 27, 2009 at 8:36 PM | Quote This Comment
I worked in the steel industry for 32yrs, I retired 2001, but I did not put any money aside for my retirement. I recieve a pension every month but it's not enough. know I have to look for another jobI never finished school, do you have any sugjestions about getting back in the work force?
richard
Posted by: Richard | March 28, 2009 at 3:07 PM | Quote This Comment
Richard, after selling my small retail business I was 60 and needed health insurance most of all. Though college educated, I had absolutely no problem becoming an hourly check-out clerk at Walgreens in order to make some money while getting a large company health plan. I became interested in the pharmacy and took a course and exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. My pay went up and I was doing something more interesting to me.
I will be 70 in a few months and for the past 4 years, I have worked 20 hours a week in a call center of a Fortune 500 corporation. I have Medicare, but unlike you, I do NOT have a pension. My job is my "pension." I enjoy the work, the stimulation and the workmates.
Just a thought, Richard
Posted by: Dixidude | April 23, 2009 at 7:13 PM | Quote This Comment
Hi Lillian
I have been out of work sinc Nov. I'm had several interviews for various sales positions and I thought went really well but some I have not gotten any calls from the interviewer. My other issue is that I filed chapter 13 and I am afraid that when employers check my credit they don't call me back to offer the job or even a second interview when they promised they would. Is there a chance I could possibly land a career with this dark cloud over me. Make matters worse,I don't have a four year degree. I can't get student loans because of chapter 13 and I can't pay for it myself. Any advice would be great.....
Posted by: WILL | May 19, 2009 at 11:31 AM | Quote This Comment
im a 28yr.old mechanical maintenance engineer here in saudi and would like to pursue various field like in construction but i dont have much experience in such field.i do know autocadd any advice in order for me to land a good job... any advice will be greatly appreciated
Posted by: ronaldo | June 02, 2009 at 5:59 PM | Quote This Comment
I have been a stay home mom for the past 4 yrs. working temp jobs. i have an accounting degree. and intership for a big five firm which is now out of business. a 3 yr exp in deducitons and supply chain. I would like to go apply for an accountant position. I am not sure how prepare my resume with no specific experience in accting.
Posted by: Nora | June 03, 2009 at 1:22 AM | Quote This Comment
Ronaldo:
Here's a great post from Rick that went up yesterday that I think will help you with your career change: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/329/5-best-companies-list-their-most-wanted-skills.cfm
The idea is to figure out what skills you have from being a maintenance engineer that could transfer to construction - my guess is you'll have lots to offer since engineering and construction are similar fields. Hope this helps!
Posted by: Brianna | June 04, 2009 at 10:22 AM | Quote This Comment
Hi Nora,
Without any direct experience in accounting, you'll want to emphasize your Accounting Degree and the internship you did. Mention them in both your Summary of Qualifications (on your resume) and your cover letter.
I gave Ronaldo a link that you would also benefit from: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/329/5-best-companies-list-their-most-wanted-skills.cfm. Pool together your transferable skills to match the job descriptions.
Posted by: Brianna | June 05, 2009 at 2:28 PM | Quote This Comment
Nora,
One more thing: You might want to consider doing temp work in accounting to really sharpen your skills. Here's an idea: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/269/can-t-get-hired-consider-temp-or-contract-work.cfm
Posted by: Brianna | June 05, 2009 at 2:32 PM | Quote This Comment
Hi, nora this jean i feel like im in the same shoes as of you! im still a staying at home mom since i gave birth to my son 2yrs ago.im a mother of three and i have two beautiful daughters and a son. When im out seacrhing for a job it seems like NO one is calling me back for a job and when i go out on interviews and maybe i don't have a degree but i do have a high school diploma and if a person is so eager about a job and the person that is interviewering should that person deserve the interviewer slould give that person a chance.
Posted by: jean | June 14, 2009 at 4:58 PM | Quote This Comment
I am having the same kind of problem. I have been out of work for two years. I worked as an optician but things in the optical field is slow and people who may leave the company are not being replaced they are doing two peoples work. Any ideas of what to tell a prospected employer "besides things are tough out there," why I am not working.
Posted by: Deborah D | June 18, 2009 at 7:18 PM | Quote This Comment
Lillian, first off "haven't Never" is a double negative. You are basically saying that you have always included a cover letter. Is this true, or did you mean to say "haven't ever"? Big difference. If you are concerned about writing a proper cover letter, and I think you should be, you should get a college student to write one for you. They often have good experience writing these types of letters for college or university admissions. Good luck
Posted by: dave | June 22, 2009 at 2:38 PM | Quote This Comment
You know I look at all the posts and feel for you guys as we all seem to be struggling.
However, I look at yours again and think, if these people had my problem what would they do? So I thought I would ask for advice.
I've been in the medical field in a doctors office for many years. Developed many different and usefull skills. At one time in my career, I had doctors wives coming to the office I worked and would ask me to come work for them.
However, now I've been through the last 10-12 years with a bad divorce, problems with the kids which I wound up in trouble for and was finally jailed for 4 years and currently still on probation until, October 2009.
With this felony now on my record and going to prison for 4 years I can't find anyone willing to hire me. I'm now 55 and can't find work.
When I first came out I took a new construction plumbing job and it lasted 2 years before the construction industry plummeted along with my job. Since then nothing has happened. I am becoming acutely aware that I may need to face the possibility I may never be hired for a good job at all. So what do I do in this case.
Any suggestions, because I don't have any family to help. I'm single and all alone. I need to work.
Thank you for any suggestions. I've heard all the comments. I would be happy to tell you what happened if you ask though.
Paula
Posted by: Paula | July 27, 2009 at 10:10 AM | Quote This Comment
I gave my job of three years a six week notice but one week into the notice it became necessary for me to leave my job and move to care for my fiance. He suffered from a bad heart condition. I relocated on june 12, 2009 and he died on July 16, 2009 of a massive heart attack and kidney failure.
What worries me is how I my former employer will respond to inquires regarding my work performance.
Is this something that's needs to be included in a cover letter.
Posted by: cheryl gonzalez | August 09, 2009 at 5:55 PM | Quote This Comment
I haven't had to write a resume in about 10 years, so I am very much out of practice. I'm appliying for a Billing/Financial Administrators position. I was the Office Manager for a non-emergency medical company for 2 years. I was the Office Manager for my ex-husbands business for 10 years. I have alot of experience in the administrative field, but I don't know how to represent myself efficiently. Please help.
Posted by: Tammy Baker | August 16, 2009 at 5:59 PM | Quote This Comment
Hi, I have been a stay at home child care provider for the last 9 1/2 years. I am a certified dental assistant with great references. I skilled on the computer as well as the front desk. I arranged payment schedules for the patients. And I am reliable and eager to return to the Dental field! Please help and advise me on a cover letter.
Posted by: Justine Coffey | August 26, 2009 at 9:34 AM | Quote This Comment
Need to get back to work after a 12 year absence in nursing to raise my children. I am an RN and worked 7+ years in ICU/CCU. I would now like to go into home care or Hospice. How do I begin to write this resume & cover letter. Any advice would be appreciated greatly. Thank you
Posted by: Kathleen | August 27, 2009 at 3:54 PM | Quote This Comment
I graduated from nursing school in May of 2007, and started in ICU as a new grad. I transferred to the main OR 6 months later as they were starting a peri-op program I was very interested in; as 11 years ago I was a surgical technician. My husband and I have had our house on the market for 4 months now and we have an offer. Our reason on wanting to move is that my Dad passed away last year, and my mom has now been diagnosed with less than 1 year to live with lymphoma. I do not want to lose anymore time with my Mom & family. How do I begin to write the cover letter? I have worked in a OR that specializes in significant cancer/oncology surgeries that includes cranial facial; also organ transplants; limb presetvations; and many other difficult cases. I would very much appriciate any advise on a cover letter and on the "career objective" of the resume or any other resume advise. Thank you sooo much for your input and time.
Posted by: Darla | October 18, 2009 at 12:04 AM | Quote This Comment
Darla: I'm sorry to hear about your family's health situation. The best advice I can give you is to not disclose any of that personal information throughout your job search. Keep your cover letter focused on your career and what you want can achieve for a potential employer, without mentioning your family's health status. The same goes with your resume - keep it focused on your career. Once you get into the interview and they ask why you want to relocate, you can give a simple answer, such as: I want to be closer to family.
Good luck! -Brianna
Posted by: Brianna | October 19, 2009 at 9:32 AM | Quote This Comment
I need advice. How to get back into the medical billing / recovery collections field. It has been 8 years since I have worked in a medical office. I am presently employed part-time as a cosmetologist. Needless to say the two fields are not related. I need full-time employment in the medical billing and coding field. As soon as I post a resume with my current position as most recent experience, I am usually rejected.
Janet
Posted by: Janet Carne | November 03, 2009 at 7:15 PM | Quote This Comment
Hi, I just found your site and have been reading some of the questions. I recently closed my Hair salon 6 weeks ago after five years in business. It had been a struggle all those years and finally decided to throw the towel in before we got ourselves into trouble. The unfortionate timing of it is, no one in the business is hiring. My question to you is how should I explain this in my resume. I am looking to enter into a new field of work. How can I explain in an interview and my resume without making it sound like a failure.
Thank you, Anthony
Posted by: Anthony | November 04, 2009 at 4:58 PM | Quote This Comment
Hello, I have been out of work since April 2002. I have a bachelor's in Nursing and worked in high-risk Labor & Delivery for 2 years before exiting the work force for bilateral hip surgeries (one in 4/02 the other 9/03). After the surgeries we decided to have a baby. He has just started kindergarten and we are looking to buy a new home and could use the extra income. For the last year I have been active in church and now lead the youth and missions ministry. I would like to get a job in home health (maybe related to mother's to be) but am worried about the gap in employment and what not ot to put in a cover letter. Any advice would be a blessing. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Susan | November 05, 2009 at 3:40 PM | Quote This Comment
I am looking for a change.I work as a direct child care worker for ResCare Residential Program.I work with troubled teens ages ranging from 11 to 18 years of age.Bringing about a positive outlook is a daily job for me.
Posted by: Michelle Asbery | November 11, 2009 at 9:14 AM | Quote This Comment
Ok, thanks a lot for your post. It was of good help to me, hope to hear from you soon again.
Posted by: dana | November 18, 2009 at 10:27 AM | Quote This Comment
I have worked for one of the US largest banks for a period of twenty years. I left in 2005, due to some medical issues. I thought taking time off to care for myself was the way to go. I am now in excellent health, back to working out twice a day, and ready to get back into the financial world. I currently hold my series 6, 63, Life and Health Licenses; 17 years of Consumer Lending and document closing knowledge , with excellent knowledge of Banking operations and procedures. I was also awarded for superior leadership skills as a Customer Relations Manager while employed at the bank. However, I do not know how to put all this knowledge and experience into a winning resume form. Any help or recommendation would be great appreciated. Thanks inadvance.
Posted by: Dale Francis | January 13, 2010 at 2:04 PM | Quote This Comment
At my last three jobs I have asked for a letter of recommendation from a supervisor. That way, if for some reason the company goes out of business and you loose contact with the referal, you have it in hand in the form of a letter.
Posted by: Eileen | February 11, 2010 at 12:09 AM | Quote This Comment
I would recommend that most of these posters hire a college student to help them with their resume. I am shocked that many do not use correct English.
I did some hiring for a temp service 15 years ago and if the employee were a common laborer they could use incorrect English, but when we hired for office jobs we required correct English. Seldom did we receive cover letters, which we felt were important as it helped us know who to do a pre-interview with.
I would also like to comment on the dress code for interviews. If you came into my office in a tight mini skirt or a low cut neckline or tube top you can be sure you would either not be sent out for interviews, unless you were very qualified for one of the jobs we had open.
If we had been hiring for a strip club then that style of dress would have been correct, but we hired for office positions so her dress was not correct for those positions.
If you want a job, dress according to the position you are applying for, and do not wear dirty, ripped clothing or clothing that is tight, short or low cut. I can almost guarantee you will not get a job by dressing sexy.
Do not discuss health, divorce, troubled children or other family issue's in your resume, cover letter or even in your interview unless it will directly affect the job you are interviewing for. Many employer's will look at that information as a negative as you will have to take time off for those problems or you will be distracted from your work. Job's are hard to come by today so the less you involve your family issue's or health problems the easier it will be for you to get a job.
Call your local college for a list of students that write resume's for a fee or check your local Newspaper for listings.
Posted by: P.M. | February 11, 2010 at 1:17 AM | Quote This Comment
In my opinion, cover letter is the 'core' of first-step candidat review
Posted by: Mike Crack | February 12, 2010 at 7:07 PM | Quote This Comment
I need to create a good cover letter, to impress and to land employment. ASAP
Posted by: Frank Finamori | February 13, 2010 at 4:11 PM | Quote This Comment
Thank you for all information. I've been searching at Pongo all night long and learning a lot! Getting my resume resume ready for the "job competition word" One question please: Because at the "objetive" part you talk about what you want and at the "summary" part you talk about what you offer. Could I write both of them on my resume?
Posted by: Kasino Empfehlung | February 22, 2010 at 1:23 AM | Quote This Comment
Tammy wrote on the 16th of August about her extensive back ground in her field, but companies now require Certificates and Degrees. Competition is in great numbers now and they have these and professionally written resumes that cost 3 to 4 hundred dollars each, some have several. To ace an interview you must include a custom cover letter. At my last interview the hiring manager had hand written all the important info from my cover letter to ask me about. They watch your posture and notice how your dressed, never intimidate the hiring manager and do your homework on the company (very important). If your over 50 years old most companies won`t even respond. One recruiter is hiring MASTERS to do jobs intended for BA or BS, at the same pay.
Posted by: Gregory Bell | March 05, 2010 at 8:53 PM | Quote This Comment
i just move to the united state and i went true high school and i have two kids but no jog i need help with writeing a good resume
Posted by: opal | March 18, 2010 at 1:15 PM | Quote This Comment
Very good points. There is one more I would add. The cover letter works well as an extension of the resume summary section. In other words you can add information to the cover letter you can not fit in the resume and have a flow of information. When the objective section of the resume is then read the reader already knows who you are. This allows the resume to be more to the point and more powerful.
The reader will make a judgment in the first 10 seconds. Therefore while a cover letter is important it can also be deadly if written poorly. Make sure you do it right though and it will help tremendously.
Posted by: Michael Brit | April 23, 2010 at 10:36 PM | Quote This Comment
Great job, P.M., your wanton abuse of English grammar makes me wonder if you paid any attention at all in school... Resume's means the resumes are in possession of something, unless recent changes have been made to my language I am unaware of... Plural or Possessive If RESUMES is plural but not possessive, you do not need an apostrophe before the "s."
Instead of: The regulation benefits many company's. Consider: The regulation benefits many companies.
Instead of: They had guest's for the weekend. Consider: They had guests for the weekend.
You have repeated this mistake throughout your pathetic little rant about others' stupidity and lack of education...
Posted by: Adam Godsey | May 27, 2010 at 11:01 PM | Quote This Comment
Should I put a date on my cover letter? If so, where should I put it? Thanks.
Posted by: Susan Fialkin | June 10, 2010 at 5:03 PM | Quote This Comment
Posted by: Charlene Pittman | June 18, 2010 at 12:37 AM | Quote This Comment
I have been a Med/Surg RN for 24 years and need to find a nursing job to finish out my career. I need to work for at least 8 more years. I have applied for many jobs and do not bet any response. I have never used a cover letter and have no idea how to compose one. Do I need a generic cover letter for the different kinds of nursing jobs or a specific cover letter for each job listing? Any help you could give would be appreciated.
Posted by: Reenie Berthold | June 24, 2010 at 10:48 PM | Quote This Comment
I get with a resume. It always appears to me while in the interview that they have not carefully reviewed or read either the cover letter or resume and I wonder how on earth did I get called for an interview. So now I wonder if your advise to have a cover is really worth providing or if I am looking in the wrong field.
Posted by: error fix | August 14, 2010 at 12:49 PM | Quote This Comment
I have been a legal recruiter for over 20 years, and now find myself on the other end of the line looking for a job after being laid off. During my career, I often received 60 to 200 resumes a week and always read the cover letter - in about 20 seconds - before skipping to the resume because I was looking for specific educational and employment history. Now that I am on the other side of the fence, I still don't believe cover letters net you any more attention because most HR professionals don't have the time to read them thoroughly. What frustrates me the most is the lack of professionalism in responding once you have applied. I replied to every single resume sent my way out of respect for the person who took the time to apply. It may have been a standard letter, but at least they heard back from me. I have found in my own personal job search that networking your way into an interview has the best results.
Posted by: JungleJan | August 24, 2010 at 1:30 PM | Quote This Comment
I don't want to sound rude, but the reason you may not be getting those interviews are your lack of writing skills. You mispell words, have run-on sentences, no commas and no spaces between words that obviously need one. If your cover letter is written like your quote above, the answer is simple. Interviewers are just not interested in someone who doesn't take the time to proofread their paperwork.
Posted by: keith | August 27, 2010 at 11:36 PM | Quote This Comment
hi this is gourav I am studying at frankfinn institute of air hostess training bhopal I am looking for the job in aviation industry...if anybody help me with the cover letter so please send me few samples of cover letter on the that id which I mentioned above Thanking you! Gourav
Posted by: gourav shrivas | September 20, 2010 at 7:36 AM | Quote This Comment
I know how everybody feels-I was fired from my job of 24.5 years for false allegations. I was so upset and insulted but I did my resume and now I guess I need to do a cover letter too. I have only had two interviews and they flopped and you are right it wasn't my fault. There were questions that were basic but working for the Dept of Defense for so long,,I honestly didn't know how to answer the questions! It made me feel stupid but I knew I had not had any exposure to the "outside world" for so long I was at the disadvantage. I am trying to do better..but its hard.
Posted by: Pattie | October 29, 2010 at 8:24 PM | Quote This Comment
It is great that there are so many helpful people out there who take an interest in those of us preparing for a new job. I realize that are many education levels represented here. Not all are as educated and experienced as others. Pointing out flaws in someone's request for help does little to educate, especially when that point wasn't made in a kind manner. Please don't look down your nose at someone when "helping." We're all in this together. We all need help. That's why we're here. The suggestion to get help in resume and cover-letter writing is really good. That should suffice.
Posted by: Sheila | March 30, 2011 at 4:02 PM | Quote This Comment
These resume cover letter templates also define the functions and requirements of different job profiles. The resume cover letter should clearly identify strengths and then it will be helpful to fetch a dream job.
Posted by: roonyjoe | April 05, 2011 at 7:10 AM | Quote This Comment
It is great that there are many helpful content which are helps us to preparing for a new job. I realize here are many education and well-informed levels represented. Not all are nice but very useful.
Posted by: kritika gupta | April 06, 2011 at 8:18 AM | Quote This Comment
I like the way you present your blog posts with easy and simply words. Thanks for sharing the useful information with us.
Posted by: Nursing Resume | July 09, 2011 at 3:40 AM | Quote This Comment
Hey, I heard about the world's best smile contest on Smile Struck that is ending soon <a rel="NOFOLLOW" href="http://www.smilestruck.com">World's Best Smile Contest</a>. It's to see who out there has the sexiest smile or a sexy smile and the best smile out there. . .I joined. its free to join, but I only voted because my smile isn't that great. lol <a rel="NOFOLLOW" href="http://www.smilestruck.com">SMILESTRUCK</a> - Johnson
Posted by: jenny john | January 06, 2012 at 6:55 AM | Quote This Comment