Career Coach: Custom Tailor Your Cover Letter
Marian Cacciatore
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Holt News
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Don't underestimate the importance of the cover letter.
In a recent survey conducted by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) 150 executives from the nation's
1,000 largest companies, 60 percent of the respondents said that when they screen applications, the cover letter is either
as important as or more critical than the resume. Your cover letter really does matter.
Now, regarding the last part of your question - how do you address the letter if no name is available?
My first recommendation is to exhaust all avenues for finding a name before you go with a generic address. Call the company-reception staff are helpful usually if you're polite-and ask for a name (and proper spelling).
If you are unable to find the contact name use "Dear Hiring Manager," "Dear College Recruiter," or "Dear Selection or Search Committee." Beware, Dear Sir or Madam is out of date and To Whom it May Concern is too generic.
Do you have a question for the Career Coach? Are you a Hamilton Holt student who wants to take advantage of Career Services? Contact Marian at Mcacciatore@rollins.edu for more information and assistance.
In a recent survey conducted by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) 150 executives from the nation's
1,000 largest companies, 60 percent of the respondents said that when they screen applications, the cover letter is either
as important as or more critical than the resume. Your cover letter really does matter.
Now, regarding the last part of your question - how do you address the letter if no name is available?
My first recommendation is to exhaust all avenues for finding a name before you go with a generic address. Call the company-reception staff are helpful usually if you're polite-and ask for a name (and proper spelling).
If you are unable to find the contact name use "Dear Hiring Manager," "Dear College Recruiter," or "Dear Selection or Search Committee." Beware, Dear Sir or Madam is out of date and To Whom it May Concern is too generic.
Do you have a question for the Career Coach? Are you a Hamilton Holt student who wants to take advantage of Career Services? Contact Marian at Mcacciatore@rollins.edu for more information and assistance.
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