Cover Letters
Introduction
It is
generally accepted practice to include a cover
(or covering) letter,
together with your resume and
any other documentation that you forward to
the employer as part of a job application.
Your covering
letter essentially provides an explanation of why you are communicating with
the employer. Imagine a prospective employer’s confusion if they received
your resume without a covering letter explaining why you have sent it to
them, or what position you were applying for.
A well written covering letter however can achieve much, much more in assisting you to gain employment. It represents a significant opportunity to create a positive impression with the employer, and to further market your skills and qualifications. Often your cover letter alone can influence an employer to include you in the next stage of the selection process, which is meeting you in an interview.