How to Write a Professional Cover Letter

Partial image of online application requesting cover letter and resume files.Many job seekers are intimidated when it comes to creating a cover letter for a job application. Sure, they have the skills and experience necessary for the job, but perhaps they feel writing is not their greatest talent. Or maybe they simply have had little or no experience composing a document they feel is nothing more than just a necessary evil of a job search. Then, once they begin writing, many questions start to arise, such as:

  • What is the real purpose of a cover letter?
  • How should such a letter be structured?
  • To whom should it be addressed?
  • What greetings and closings are acceptable for cover letters?
  • What should I be trying to say?
  • How do I make my text flow in a logical and convincing manner?
  • How do I make the letter look and sound totally professional?

Our in-depth article Anatomy of a Cover Letter will help answer these questions and guide you through preparing a professional cover letter.

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to leave a comment and share your experience or thoughts!

Should You Include a Picture on Your Resume?

Partial image of a resume containing a photo of a woman.Are you in the process of writing or updating your resume? If so, you may be wondering whether or not to include a picture of yourself. After all, popular apps such as Canva make creating an attractive, highly graphical resume with your picture super easy. Besides, your friends might have some pretty awesome-looking resumes with their pictures and you want yours to look as good as theirs, right?

However, before clicking the button to add your favorite shot, let’s examine why the photo should—or should not—be included. What’s the point of adding a picture anyway? If it’s just because it looks trendy, then you might want to rethink it. Perhaps you are fortunate enough to have won the genetic lottery and are a physically attractive individual. You might be hoping that including your photo could give you an edge when the resumes are reviewed.

Hold on a moment and look at this issue from an employer’s point of view. After all, that’s who you need to impress. Suppose the unsuspecting employer opens your resume file. Surprise! There’s your color photo staring at them right at the top of the page. That employer now knows—or at least has a clue—as to your race, ethnicity, attractiveness, weight, possible handicap, etc. They cannot unsee your picture. So what’s wrong with that, you might ask? Continue reading