The Importance of a Good Cover Letter
The unemployment rate for convicted felons is exorbitantly higher than the unemployment rate for average citizens. Felons often have an extremely difficult time finding work because they have to meet with prejudice and fear from potential employers. You can help to assuage some of these fears and eliminate prejudices by attaching a great cover letter to the front of your resume.
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document that is attached to the front of the resume and is written specifically for the job for which you are applying. Unlike a resume, every cover letter that you send to a potential employer will be completely unique from other cover letters you have written. The cover letter’s purpose is to tell the employer why you are interested in his or her company, briefly explain your goals and skills, and inquire about an interview.
How to Write a Great Cover Letter
The best cover letter will be brief and to the point. You don’t want to overwhelm your potential employer with too much information or a rambling stream of consciousness writing style. If your cover letter is too long or convoluted, an employer may discard it without reading it. You should try to be unique and interesting in your cover letter. You can mention your felony or choose to save that information for the formal interview. However, if you choose to mention your felony in your cover letter, you will definitely stand out as a memorable candidate. Just be sure to explain the conditions of your felony and assure an employer that those actions are a part of your distant past.
Proofreading
Another very important part of completing your cover letter is proof reading. While this may seem like common sense, many consumers fail to proofread their cover letters before they send them to potential employers. If your cover letter is filled with grammatical errors and spelling errors, this will reflect poorly on your abilities and may make an employer second guess whether or not you are worth hiring. You should proofread thoroughly to avoid these mistakes.
