Why is a Cover Letter Necessary

Chances are…no matter what industry you are in, and what your specialty is-you’ve had to at one point-or will have to-write a cover letter. If you are unwise to the career industry-because you are a recent grad or just haven’t applied for a position in some time; you may think that a cover letter is optional in applying for a position. It isn’t. In the case of cover letters, many applicants falsely believe that a cover letter is either not needed at all in response to a job posting; or can be drafted in an informal manner to introduce your attached resume. In either event, unless the job employer requests otherwise, you must always provide a cover letter when applying for a job candidacy. Below, we take a closer look at the function of the cover letter, to understand why one is necessary.

Career History
One of the most integral pieces of an effective cover letter is highlighting an applicant’s career history; such as, “I have ten years hospitality management experience…” in a way that is concise, but also, tells the employer the most impressive and significant aspects of your career-and therefore, in the means if experience-what you can offer a company. Without a cover letter, an employer or hiring manager can only piece together what this value may be. Summing it up for them, not only gives them a convenient reference on your experience; but also shows them what you consider is significant about your career-and therefore yourself worth as regards your career.

Career Skills/Qualifications
Along with your career history, your cover letter is also in place to show a potential employer what skills you have gained and can now offer them-as transferable skills. These are skills that can be used in both specific and general functions to the benefit of your future employer. Again, a potential employer may be able to surmise this through your resume and the specific “skills” section-but incorporating this info on your cover letter; gives them the whole package of your value as a candidate for the position.

Career Goals
This is one area that many applicants for jobs forget-if they choose to draft a cover letter at all, and that is the career goals. A resume may or may not provide this information in the objective section. In either event, it is crucial that an employer know what yours are-both in the short and long term of your career. Why? If it is offered in your resume, this goal is often only expressed as it relates to the generality of your career; but in your cover letter, you are given the opportunity to string this together with your career experience and skills-in order to paint them a picture of why you are the best applicant for the position.

Candidacy
A cover letter is also in place to maximize what the nature of your candidacy for the position or company is-especially, if you have weaker sections in your career experience and/or skills. You can then use the why you are seeking this particular position with this particular company. Not only does this reasoning strengthen why you might be a more viable candidate for the position, if your resume is less than impressive; but it also, can act as a stimulating accessory for someone who has a lot of experience.