I never truly understood why a cover letter was needed. I always thought a potential employer only needed a resume. Now, after attending this workshop, I realized that a cover letter is needed for every job you apply for. It has the ability to fill in many blank spots of your resume. For example, it can explain why I have large gaps of unemployment in my resume. I can show and explain why they should hire me. A resume doesn’t actually do this: however, a cover letter can explain my reason for applying for the job, and what specifically I can bring to the table.

If I were to just give a resume to a job, I would come off as lazy. By submitting a cover letter along with resume, I am able to show that I am serious about the opportunity that the employer is giving me. Submitting a cover letter allows me to be in control of follow up interview as well. At the end of the cover letter, I can specify when I will be able to call them. A cover letter makes me a more attractive job applicant as well as giving me power as a job applicant. Writing a cover letter is a win-win for the applicant, so why not?

A cover letter should include how you found about the job. It should also include why you think you are qualified to work this job. It should also thank the job for even considering your application. It is made up of the typical introduction, body, paragraph form. The letter needs to be formatted like a professional business letter. In addition to this, the same font needs to be used as in your resume. Obviously, proofread and edit your cover letter at the end for any silly, careless mistakes. Thanks to this workshop, I realized that more goes into applying for a job than a resume and an interview.