Cover Letter FAQ

By Kevin Donlin

Here are four of the most frequently asked questions I'm hearing, with answers based on my 13 years of writing and hiring experience ...

Q. How important is a cover letter? I normally don't include one when emailing resumes.

A. Some hiring professionals place great emphasis on the cover letter and some don't. To be safe, it's a good idea to include a cover letter, whether you're e-mailing, faxing or using traditional mail to deliver your documents.

Your cover letter should quickly make it clear that you have the right skills and experience for the job, especially you're coming from another industry.

(Side note: if you're really hot for a job, consider sending your resume and cover letter by FedEx -- it's the only envelope in the history of the world that is ALWAYS opened by its intended recipient.)