The New Cover Letter
In 1972 when I first started working for an employment agency, I would receive resumes by US Mail on parchment paper with two stamps on the envelop. The envelop would match the paper, be addressed on a typewriter and include a cover letter stapled on top of the resume (that’s why they were called cover letters—they covered the resume) that would offer a basic commercial about the job applicant.
Because resumes were mass produced rather than customized, the cover letter filled in the gaps between what the job advertisements asked for and what the resume described as experience.
In many professions, this is now quaint history. US Mail has been replaced by email. Parchment paper sales for resumes is almost non-existent and there is no point in using a cover letter . . . or is there?
Oh, I’m not speaking of writing a separate document and attaching it to the email. Clicking open extra files is annoying and wastes a lot of time. I’m speaking of using the message area of the email to replace the cover letter.
The message area of an email is space that will be immediately seen. It is the perfect place to promote yourself in the context of the specific job that you are applying for.
There are two basic ways to do this:
1. The narrative is like the traditional cover letter.
I am forwarding my resume to you for the position of ______ that I saw advertised on ________.
I believe my experience with ________, coupled with my knowledge of ___________ would make me you and discussing my qualifications in detail.
Sincerely,
2. Point by point. This is the new cover letter. This style uses the space in the email to provide specific targeted information about your qualifications.
For example,
I am replying to trhe ad that I saw on ________ looking for a J2EE developer. Below is a summary of my qualifications as compared to the requirements listed in your job description:
J2EE 5 years current
Websphere 3 years current
Weblogic 2 years until July 2004
JMS 1 year current
Insurance 6 years current
I look forward to meeting with you and discussing my experience in greater detail.
Sincerely,
Using this approach is a quick efficient use of the space in an email and puts important information in front of the reader. It makes their decision-making much easier and will result in more interviews for you.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is also a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.newyorkmetrotechnologyjobs.com. To subscribe to Jeff Altman’s Search e-zine, send an email to jeffaltman@cisny.com and write EZINE on the subject line.
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
