A cover letter is a document designed to accompany a resume when presented to an employer. The purpose of a cover letter is to give an opportunity for an applicant to introduce themselves and their credentials.

Most job seekers decide to send their resume without the benefit of a strong resume cover letter, which is a costly mistake. It shows a distinct lack of effort to send a resume bare and will put you at an immediate disadvantage when applying for a job. Employers like to see that you have taken time to analyse the position and formulate some ideas on why you’re the perfect candidate.

Cover letters express your personality and enthusiasm for the position, and provide support for your candidacy that is not covered by your resume. Writing a cover letter can be a challenging and time-consuming task, especially when you must customize it towards each organization.

When writing a successful resume you need to be sure to include all of the key information that an employer will be looking for. This means supplying a comprehensive coverage of your job history, educational background, key skills and other supporting criteria.

It is very likely that an employer looking at your resume for the first time will only be scanning the details so all of the key information must be presented in a clear and concise manner.

A resume can be written in a number of different styles and formats, the two most popular being functional and chronological. Whichever style you choose, make sure the information is clearly presented and easy to follow.