Todd Cranston-Cuebas wrote:
As I've said, I personally really dislike cover letters but maybe that's just me. I want it all wrapped up in a simple package (i.e., the resume). I have only had a few people do this, but I really like getting a side-by-side breakdown of what I asked for and what they've done. It shows me that they have read the job description and can make meaningful connections between their skills/experience/knowledge/attitude to what I need. I don't care if this is in the form of a table right smack at the top of the resume. I'd take this over a skills list any day of the week!
I've never found much use for cover letters on either the hiring or applying side of things. I think they are an antiquated formality that doesn't really fit with the modern way that job applications are handled online.
As a hiring manager I've either not seen cover letters provided because they haven't been written or an agency or HR consultant has discarded them, or they've been too generic to be helpful.
That's not to say that an applicant shouldn't provide the equivalent information. I may not follow the traditional cover letter format, but when responding to an online job posting I always use a quote-response format and address how my skills fit with the jobs requirements (both technical and business), noting both strengths and weaknesses, and pointing to related past experience. Much as you describe above. I also provide links to supplemental information (certifications, open source project contributions, code samples) if it is relevant.
It's dry, techie, and informal. Perhaps even confusing to suits. But it seems to catch the eye of the kind of people I want to work with, and I've received positive feedback on this approach.
-Tom -- Tom Metro Venture Logic, Newton, MA, USA "Enterprise solutions through open source." Professional Profile: http://tmetro.venturelogic.com/
