Are Cover Letters Necessary?
In today’s world of recruiting companies and Applicant Tracking Systems, are cover letters still required?
Some surveys suggest only about 50 per cent of hiring personnel read cover letters. The resume truly is the document everyone is interested in and some managers say that’s where they get all their information. Others, however, say they won’t even look at a resume without a cover letter.
It’s best to continue including a cover letter as part of your job search tools, unless a specific company tells you it won’t be needed.
If you’re unemployed or underemployed, staff at The Work Place in Grande Prairie can help eligible individuals fine tune resumes and cover letters – visit www.gpworkplace.ca for details. Our staff ensure clients are using all the tools available to them, including accessing potential training opportunities (see contact details below). Updating or acquiring new skills may be part of your job search plan.
While it’s recommended you continue to prepare cover letters, it’s also important that you make yours stand out – just as you would a resume – focus on relevant information and use it as an opportunity to profile accomplishments and strengths.
Make sure your cover letter contains key words from the job description you’re applying to and you have a consistent header to your resume. Keep it short and engaging so that the reader can’t wait to check out your resume.
As well, if you’re applying through an online job platform, such as Indeed, remember that you still have the opportunity to include a cover letter, e.g. in the “message to the employer” section.
Here’s an article with some tips on how to modernize your cover letter: http://careerimpressions.ca/blog/2018/09/do-employers-read-cover-letters/#sthash.STFSpwig.bnYnSDCz.dpbs
This video is another great resource:
If you want more help with your job search at no cost, contact us at 780-539-5477. You can send enquiries to info@gpworkplace.ca. Our office is located at #105, 9840-97th Ave., Grande Prairie.
We also help employers find qualified candidates.
Seeking employment is just like anything else in our fast-paced world – you need to keep abreast of the trends and tools. If you haven’t looked for a job recently – whether because of circumstances or choice – relying on methods you used to find positions in the past, may leave you frustrated.
Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region is seeking to hire a full-time, permanent Business Services Coordinator for its operations located in 214 Place, downtown City of Grande Prairie, Alberta.
Whether you’re unemployed or under-employed, getting that next job may be as easy as applying for the first opening you see. However, it’s more likely a full-fledged job search is required to find the right fit.
Employment counsellors constantly encourage job seekers to have an updated resume that’s detail oriented with relevant information. Applying for openings at most larger employers now also involves being ready to apply online.
The start of a new year is an excellent time to bolster your job search skills. If you’re unemployed, check out an upcoming Transition to Employment Services information session at The Work Place in Grande Prairie as part of your plans.
o what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.”
The holidays are an important time to rejuvenate while enjoying visiting with family and friends. It’s also a great opportunity to get a head start if you’re in job search mode going into the new year.
