Coming Soon to a Cover Letter Near You
February 19, 2008 (10:19AM) by Julie O'Malley, CPRW
When you go to the movies, they always show previews of the coming attractions. The goal, of course, is to make each member of the audience whisper to their companion, "Ooh, that looks good. I can't wait to see the movie!" In career terms, your cover letter is the preview and your resume is the movie.
Movie previews, also known as trailers, shamelessly tease us with the most dramatic scenes, the funniest jokes, or the steamiest love scenes, because those are the things that have been proven to motivate you and me to spend our time and money on movies.
Previews use music, narration, and strategic dialog to work you into a frenzy of anticipation. Sometimes they even splice together parts from two different scenes.
THAT's what you need to do in your cover letter. No, not musical accompaniment. But write your letter to pull out and emphasize the most relevant skills, accomplishments, and qualifications that appear in your resume. Shine the spotlight on the things that will intrigue your audience and pique their interest. Make your reader think, "Ooh, I can't wait to see the resume!"
If you have appropriate skills from two different jobs, splice them together in the cover letter. For example, if the job you're targeting calls for Sales and Marketing experience, mention those together in your cover letter, even if you did Sales at Job A and Marketing at Job B.
Pay attention to the previews next time you’re munching on $10 popcorn and drinking a bucket of soda. They can teach you a lot about the science of promotion.
Seen any good resumes lately?
What is the ideal length of a cover letter? Can it be too long? If you are applying for a position in a different city what is the best approach?
Thanks for your questions, Krisztina. Yes, a cover letter can definitely be too long. In the vast majority of cases, a cover letter should not exceed one page.
When applying for a position in another city, you should consider any logistical concerns the employer might have, and address them up front.
For example: "I will be in Dallas and available for interviews May 12-14, and again June 2-4. I will complete my relocation to Dallas on July 1. You will be able to reach me on my cell phone (XXX-XXX-XXXX) at any time during this process."
I am a teacher who is trying to advance. The cover letter is what I have trouble with. Mine ends up sounding like I am bragging and repeating my resume. I know this is not right. What should a coverletter for eduction sound like? Examples would be greate.
Michael, As someone once said, "It ain't bragging if it's true." And frankly, your cover letter SHOULD sound like bragging. Rather than repeating the resume, use the letter to call attention to the parts of the resume that you really want the reader to notice.
For example: "As an accomplished educator with four years' experience teaching middle school history, I am confident that I could make a strong contribution to the teaching staff at Acme Academy. I would like to call your attention to the following qualifications in my resume, which support the strength of my candidacy... ."
Then you could do a bullet list paraphrasing the points in your resume that match the employer's needs most closely. --Julie
Hi, I'm currently an I.S. analyst of 8 years and currently taking classes to finish my bachelor's in I.S. Management. My question is how will I intsert this in my resume and cover letter
Hi Shaun, Congrats on your upcoming degree!
In the Education section of your resume, you can enter the information about your bachelor's degree and indicate your expected date of graduation if it's within the next year-ish. Something like this:
Bachelor of Science, Information Systems Management, Shaun's College, Shaunville, NY, expected graduation date May 2009.
If graduation is longer than a year away, you could indicate the number of credits you've earned toward the degree so far. Just be truthful. Don't try and make it look like you already have the degree, but do emphasize that that's where you're headed.
Same principle in your cover letter. I'd say something like:
"I have a solid I.S. background, with eight years of hands-on experience as an I.S. analyst at XYZ Corp. I have also completed X credits toward my bachelor's degree in I.S. Management at Shaun's College. I anticipate completion of that degree program by May 2009."
Best of luck! Julie
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