What can a cover letter do that a resume Cannot?

What Can a Cover Letter Explain That a Resume Cannot

When on the hunt for a job, applicants are often expected to provide a resume and cover letter. While these two items are closely related, they serve different functions. 

A resume and cover letter both work toward a common purpose of persuading the hiring entity that you have the right skills for the job. However, there are some key differences. It often helps to think of them as two unique documents that complement one another. 

What Can A Cover Letter Explain That A Resume Cannot?

A resume often lists very condensed information. It serves as a general summary of your work experience. It usually includes employment history, certifications, education, skills, etc. The information is abbreviated to fit on one-two pages in most cases. 

On the other hand, a cover letter can offer much more detail about some of the information found in your resume. In addition, it is an opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager(s) and address any issues upfront or explain things in more depth. 

Here are a few examples of information that may be good to include in a cover letter. However, this information would not be appropriate to have on a resume. 

• Employment gaps: Many individuals take a break from employment during their career at one point or another. It could be to pursue additional training or skills or focus on family. 

However, if you have kept up with your skills and knowledge in the industry, it is good to demonstrate how in a cover letter. Addressing this issue upfront can alleviate any employer’s anxiety about gaps in your employment history. 

• Career changes: Like taking a break from the workforce, many people change direction in their careers. If your resume shows a sharp change in your trajectory, you may want to explain the rationale behind this change. 

It can give the potential employer some context to understand why you made your decisions. For example, if you have no relevant experience for the job you are now applying for (this is the moment of your career change), you may want to help potential employers understand your interest. 

For example, you can list the benefits of working in this industry or you can explain why you are passionate about pursuing this field now when you haven’t done so in the past. These reasons can help the potential employer understand why you will be a great employee within this field or industry. 

• Proper communication: As an introduction to the hiring managers, the cover letter demonstrates that you can communicate in a formal manner. It should be proofread and contain all of the established elements of business communication etiquette. 

Using proper formatting, grammar, and structure can let the potential employer know that you are comfortable with this communication style. 

• Personal interest in the company: A cover letter can also help the employer understand why this job is one that you want. This document provides a chance to shine by researching the company. 

You can highlight things about the culture or mission of the organization that are compatible with your career goals. You get to make a case for why you will be a great addition in this role. 

Including this information shows the potential employer that you aren’t just applying for any job but that this is the one you truly desire. It also indicates that you have done your homework and are willing to make an informed decision. Including this type of information can easily set you apart from other applicants. 

These examples demonstrate the type of information you would want to include on a cover letter but would not include on a resume. There are also some key things to be sure not to include in a cover letter, such as:

• Any information that could be used to discriminate against you, such as marital status, nationality, race, religion, political affiliation, pregnancy, or disability.
• Salary expectations: It is better to hold off on any salary discussions until an offer has been secured. Mentioning salary too early in the process could be viewed as unprofessional. 
• Mistakes or formatting errors: Cover letters are a formal means of communication. As such, they are expected to follow standard business communication rules. Additionally, you will want to proofread the cover letter (or have others review it). 
• This document is not the one to make a mistake on as hiring managers often toss any application with errors directly in the trash. 
• Some details of why you are seeking a job should not be included. For instance, if you are unhappy with your current position, the cover letter is not the place to voice this unhappiness. 

Instead, focus on the elements of the open position that are attractive to you. In addition, keeping a positive tone throughout the hiring process is an excellent way to make a great impression. 

• Nondescript text: Many people draft a generic cover letter and simply change the company and hiring manager details for each job application. While this process can be efficient, many hiring managers can spot these generic cover letters from a mile away. 

Your cover letter won’t stand out if a hiring manager spots this. So, to make a great impression, you will want to include unique details for each cover letter. 

• Focusing on a lack of experience: When applying for a new field or industry, it’s easy to focus on all the reasons you aren’t qualified for a job – then try to explain them. 

Rather than writing a cover letter from this perspective, it’s better to start focusing on the experience you do have. You are here to make a case for why you will excel in this position, not provide reasons for why you will not. 

• Focusing on irrelevant experience: If you don’t have industry-specific experience, it’s easy to focus on other career endeavors, but the hiring managers don’t want to know that. 

Instead, they want to know why you are still a good fit. Remember, all relevant experience needn’t be from other paying jobs. You could highlight volunteer or intern work that you have done, too. 

Although both are important, cover letters are different from resumes (and often required). A cover letter explains things that don’t make sense on the resume, and it can describe personal details that make you a great candidate. 

The cover letter is your place to provide context to the qualitative information on your resume.

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