A Word on Cover Letters:
From the Horse’s Mouth

                       Writing a cover letter can be a daunting task, and it is a task that I am asked to speak on frequently. I can go on and on about writing a great cover letter (I can go on and on about a great many things, ask my wife!) …but today I am going to keep it short and sweet. I am going to address only the biggest area that makes or breaks you on your cover letters. The most important part of what I am about to tell you is, that it is NOT my words (although I agree strongly), this came straight from several employers who have had this discussion with me.
                     Many recruiters have told me that the first thing they do when sorting through cover letters is to glance at them briefly to see if the person writing it refers to any of the specific skills listed in the original help wanted ad. Many say they find ones that people are nicely spotlighting many things, but those things have nothing to do with the position being offered.
                     If an employer has taken the time to write in that they need someone with knowledge of a particular accounting or software program, then you should be taking the time to write your cover letter to highlight your past working knowledge of those things – not how well you did in school, or how many dogs you have.
                      That last thing leads me to an extra point I will throw in here. It is the other thing recruiters are telling me that they use to sort through cover letters. If the opening talks about family members or martial status…they are getting read last, if at all! Use the cover letter to highlight skills not listed on your resume, or to expand on them. Never, never, never, and I mean never even think about putting the number of kids, cars, dogs, cats or spouses you have (or have had) in there.
                Simply put, according to employers, straight from the horse’s mouth, the tiny percent who take the time to craft their cover letter to look like they are answering what was described in the job listing are the ones getting called for the interview.