Ask questions via twitter! Message any question to @answers on twitter. We'll publish the question and send you a reply each time there's a new answer.
My mother neglects her needs and health. How do I convince her to take care of herself?
Share A Conundrum Answer A Conundrum Where To Buy
Next Question

Answered Question

danielle danielle
 

Mahalo is adding a tip to all questions that don't offer a tip.
 M¢25  Funded By Mahalo ? |  July 09, 2009 10:20 PM

Should a cover letter always be included when applying for a job? Even if they don't request one?

Interesting Question?  Yes (3)   No (0)   

Interesting: ron1, justinliudvinaitis, shinju

RSS
 
 

Best Answer  Decided by Votes

dannyjohns... dannyjohns...
 
 July 09, 2009 10:57 PM
While a cover letter is not as important as a resume as mentioned here:
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/resumes-cover-letters/which-is-more-important-to-the-job-search-a-strong-cover-letter-or-strong-resume

But (long ago when I worked for other people) I hired people because of their cover letter. Sure, it wasn't the only reason- their resume was great, but the CL got my attention...

When I was job seeking, and I really wanted the position, I would send the resume and CL via Priority Mail.

I even used tactics like this and got the job.
"Job seeker sends baby shoe with note, let me get my foot in the door.." http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/08/04/cb.find.jobs/index.html

Anything that makes you stand out (in a good way) from the six inch stack of resumes on any hiring magers desk nowadays is a good thing.

http://weblogs.amny.com/entertainment/urbanite/blog/0427JOBFRONT2col(c)Resume.jpg


Helpful Answer?  (2)   (0)   

Helpful: ron1, robbrown

Tip dannyjohnson for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 

Other Answers (8)

Sort By
krysstel krysstel
 
July 09, 2009 10:28 PM
Yes. I believe so. It will help you explain why you feel you are qualified for the job and what unique qualities you can bring to the employer. It should address the specific job requirements.

If you are looking for a future opening, state that.
Note that you will follow up and contact the employer in a week or two.

Use proper letter format, be brief, honest, have someone check your writing.

Tags: job, work, employment, search

Helpful Answer?  (2)   (0)   

Helpful: matthewh, robbrown

Tip krysstel for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
robbrown robbrown
 
July 10, 2009 02:40 AM
(null)

Report
 
 
pellrider pellrider
 
July 09, 2009 10:40 PM
I think you should add a cover letter. It is to say what you cannot include in the resume but is important to make the employer know.

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: matthewh

Tip pellrider for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
ron1 ron1
 
July 09, 2009 10:47 PM
Cover letters are always important to include. Oftentimes, they are the first thing that an employer sees about you -- and a strong cover letter can persuade one to even look at a resume.

Definitely use the cover letter to talk about things that are not in your resume - use it as a bragging space for yourself to show why the company NEEDS you!

Lots of additional insightful tips here about writing a cover letter
Source(s):
mahalo.com


Tags: job, cover, letter, resume

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: matthewh

Tip ron1 for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
kerryk kerryk
 
July 10, 2009 03:42 AM
I always included a cover letter. Just seems more professional and shows more seriousness in wanting the job.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip kerryk for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
tgood1 tgood1
 
July 10, 2009 05:00 AM
I find a cover letter very helpful. When I get a stack of resumes to look through and I see the ones without a cover letter, I think that they didn't put any time or effort into getting this job. It looks like they just printed off another copy of their resume and mailed it in. A cover letter also gives me an idea of writing skills. I would say a cover letter gives you an edge regardless of whether it is required.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip tgood1 for this answer
Permalink | Report
Voted as best: shinju
   Reply  
 
 
sukmrsing sukmrsing
 
July 10, 2009 08:02 AM
Cover letters are summary of your expertise and personna .It is not all required to send cover letter as employers are mostly interested in your curriculum vitae and rest they can check with you in the interview .

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip sukmrsing for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
trinifigue... trinifigue...
 
July 10, 2009 12:11 PM
Yes! It is a way of introducing yourself.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip trinifigueroa for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
socalsue socalsue
 
July 10, 2009 08:43 PM
Based on the premis that I believe resumes should be submitted to an individual and for a particular position, then a cover letter is mandatotry to establish a connection and context.

I also believe a thank you e-mail or letter should be sent following every interview. Use that as an opportunity to re-affirm desire for job and commitment to deliver. You never know if your resume is sitting in the decision pile with a few others and this could bring yours to the top.

Tags: cover, letter, resume

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip socalsue for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 

Answer this Question

How tips and payments work

This question has already been resolved. You may add an answer to it but you will not be eligible to win best answer or any associated tips.

Voted "No best answer": matthewh,


Related Questions

View All Cover Letters Questions

Ask a Question


140 characters left
Top of Page
Buy Mahalo Dollars with Credit Card or PayPal

Top Members

This Week All Time
  • buddawiggi
    buddawiggi
    2nd Degree Black Belt
    24886 Points
    M$691.47 Earned
  • cfinke
    cfinke
    2nd Degree Black Belt
    22928 Points
    M$29.75 Earned
  • edwardclin...
    edwardclin...
    Green Belt with a Purple Tip
    1868 Points
    M$48.64 Earned
   See All
 

Most Popular Tags

mahalo(1398)
twitter(923)
iphone(449)
music(435)
google(324)
food(290)
internet(283)
beer(267)
online(266)
money(246)
apple(239)
movies(235)
aotd(233)
facebook(228)
answers(203)
video(200)
health(197)
free(190)
windows(190)
dog(188)
   See All
 

Categories

Welcome New Members


 
 
Mahalo Dollars are the currency of Mahalo Answers.

Each Mahalo Dollar costs $1.

Once you earn more than 40 Mahalo Dollars, you can request to be paid via PayPal. Each Mahalo Dollar is currently worth $0.75 when paid out via PayPal. Learn More

 
 

Please log in to use this function.

Answers Home | Ask a Question | Earn Points | How Tips Work | Widget



Share A Conundrum Answer A Conundrum Where To Buy