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A local business columnist today, posed the question in her column of whether a cover letter is still a must do for job seekers. I have just successfully concluded an eight-month long job search, so the cover letter questions is still very fresh on my mind. I think you should absolutely include cover letters as a way to set yourself apart from your competitors. A well-written, customized cover letter shows that, having taken the time to write a cover letter, you are serious about pursuing the position. It proves that you are a thoughtful, articulate person. It also shows that you understand basic tenets of etiquette and the assumption can be made that if represent yourself professionally in cyberspace, you most likely will do so in person. In my case, I was pursuing a position in the communications field, and the cover letter was my opportunity to show that I was skilled in my craft. I customized my cover letters to the job I was applying for by carefully reading the job posting and addressing how my particular skills were a fit to the opening. In cases where I got an interview (I got interviews for 13% of the jobs I applied for), part of my interview preparation included reviewing the cover letter to revisit what I had identified as my selling points for that particular job. Should you write a cover letter? Absolutely. Especially if you want to get a job. |