The Disadvantages and Advantages of a Cover Letter: A Cover Letter is the Face of Your Resume

Having to write and include a cover letter with your resume has some disadvantages and disadvantages. For example, your time and effort are important. Note that while writing a cover letter, particularly when you are in a hurry may appear to be a disadvantage, it may also be the determining factor in whether or not you get a job. That would definitely be to your advantage.  

What is a cover letter? 

A cover letter is essentially the face of your resume, what you tell your potential employer about yourself. It is the first page of your resume. It may prove to be the most important part of your resume, as that is the first thing a potential employer sees and reads.

“The three main objectives of your cover letter are to: introduce yourself, identify the position you are applying for, and explain how you found out about the position, explain how you are qualified for the position and why you would be a great fit for the job and request an interview and thank the employer.”

Another disadvantage to writing a cover letter has to do with the fact that it usually goes to one specific employer. That makes it less convenient, as printing out dozens of resumes at a time is faster, but it can be to your advantage if it gets the potential employer’s attention. Many of the others may go unnoticed.   

Consider other advantages of writing a cover letter to one specific employer.

He or she is able to recognize the reality that you are serious about the specific job for which you are placing the application, cover letter and resume, immediately. There is no question as to who you are or the position you are seeking. Your qualifications are up front. You are confident enough to approach an employer professionally and graciously.     

Perhaps the real key to job seeking lies in pro-active professionalism. If you can convince your prospective employer that you are the employee he or she has been seeking by what you write in your cover letter, you may not need to send out any more resumes. That is to your advantage.

Requesting an interview seems like a bold step to take, but the power of suggestion often works. If you suggest to an employer that you are worth interviewing and do have potential with his or her company, as well as the expectation of being hired, you may find that your employer responds in a positive manner. In other words, you will probably receive an interview in the near future.

While having to put extra time and effort into writing a cover letter may seem to be a disadvantage, it does have the advantage over sending out hundreds of resumes that do not have cover letters and do not get results.  

Remember that every interview that you get presents the possibility of employment, so take the time and make the effort to write a professional cover letter and expect to have an interview.