In declaring your interest in a resume cover letter, you must reference the particular position or job function for which you would like to apply; these are usually described in the employer’s job posting.  If you wish to cast a broader net, you should state your general areas of competency in the cover letter for resume. 

If you think of your resume cover letter as the opening act in a musical performance and the resume itself the headliner, you will have a better sense of the importance of the cover letter for resume as well as its relationship to the actual resume.  The resume cover letter must pave the way for the resume itself.  Therefore, although the cover letter for resume must not be as detailed as the main attraction, it must hint at what is to follow.  The resume cover letter must entice the audience (the potential employer) to stick around for the headliner.

Given the significance of the cover letter for resume, it makes sense not to leave its writing to chance.  As a professional service with a thirty-year history of success, Objective: Resumes has been preparing resume cover letters, both general and targeted, that have assisted applicants in securing interviews leading to more fulfilling careers.

A thoughtfully prepared cover letter, in fact, is often the “make or break” factor in securing the interview.  For example, we once had a client who, having completed approximately one year of relevant course work, was eager to break into the field of film production, an industry historically difficult for a novice to enter.  Compounding our client’s lack of experience was the worst possible timing: she sought our services the week after 9/11/2001.  In the weeks following this unforeseeable tragedy, our nation was reeling emotionally and financially; stock markets plunged, and hiring came to a near-halt.  Because our client was determined to forge ahead in her job search under these circumstances, we urged her to consider a cover letter in order to strengthen the resume.  Upon her agreement, we prepared a letter that marketed her general, transferable skills, accentuated her strengths and demonstrated her genuine enthusiasm.

Approximately five weeks later, we received a call from the same client, weeping so that it was difficult at first to understand her.  When she composed herself, we discovered that those were tears of joy.  She had received and accepted an offer of employment from one of the directors of HBO programming, who confided that her cover letter had “sealed the deal” in calling her in for the interview, which yielded the job.

Although most candidates have no way of discerning the preferences of the hiring managers who receive their material, they are assured of one certainty, and that is that the inclusion of an introductory letter prepares them for any eventuality.  It may even pave the way for the first step upon a new and exciting career path, as it did for our fledging production assistant.