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Cover letters aren’t going out of style

Posted on February 14th, 2012 Read time: 1 minutes

Not attaching a cover letter along with a resume can severely hinder the chances of acquiring a job, according to a recent survey from OfficeTeam. The study found that 91 percent of polled executives believe cover letters are valuable when evaluating a job candidate.

When HR administration reviews resumes from potential job applicants, they typically expect to see an accompanying cover letter. According to EZineMark.com, cover letters are essential since they act as a sales tool – they allow employers to judge candidates' suitability for a job and include certain details that aren't mentioned in the resume.

Some companies might deem a cover letter to be less important in today's digital age. However, a mere 9 percent of survey respondents stated that cover letters aren't a valuable addition to an application.

Furthermore, 79 percent said it was common to receive a cover letter during an electronic submission, while 16 percent said it wasn't common at all.

"Although the job application process has increasingly moved online, the importance of a cover letter shouldn't be underestimated," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "It often is the first opportunity to make a positive impression on hiring managers."

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