what is a cover letter 
a cover letter is a written document commonly submitted with a job application outlining the applicant s credentials and interest in the open position since a cover letter is often one of only two documents sent to a potential employer a well or poorly written letter can impact whether the applicant is called for an interview investopedia joules garciaunderstanding cover lettersmost job postings are done online and no longer require a physical application instead applicants send companies a copy of their resume along with a cover letter either by email or with a hard copy through the mail a resume offers a glimpse into the professional and academic experience of a potential employee the cover letter on the other hand acts as an introduction written by the candidate to express their interest in the position and what makes them the best fit for the job 1a good cover letter complements a resume by expanding on items relevant to the job 2 in essence it s a sales pitch that describes why the applicant is the best person for the position career experts advise job seekers to spend time customizing each cover letter for the particular position rather than using a generic missive although this requires extra effort it can be very helpful in allowing an applicant to stand out above the competition the cover letter provides information to the employer about who the candidate is as a professional and as a person this includes their areas of interest professional goals knowledge skills they ve gained over the years achievements passions and aspirations the cover letter should be a one page document that provides a clear and concise idea about why the candidate is the best person for the job it should also highlight the cultural fit 2types of cover letterswhile there is no set template for a cover letter the type of letter that you write will depend on the requirements of each individual company or employer the information that is included in a cover letter will vary depending on the goals and purpose of your application 