6 Reasons You Won't Get Hired Without a Cover Letter

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!

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.

well it is all right but it is kinda confusing... thanks for the advice

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?

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.

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

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

THANK YOU FOR THE INFO

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

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

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.....

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

Ok, thanks a lot for your post. It was of good help to me, hope to hear from you soon again.