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8.2 Writing an Effective Cover Letter
When you apply for a job, you will most likely send a cover letter to accompany your résumé
or CV. This important document summarizes your career objectives and explains what you
can bring to the organization or company and why the employer should invite you for an
interview. To be effective, the cover letter must be customized or tailored to the specific job
for which you are applying. In this section, we will discuss why your cover letter is vital to
your success in getting an interview and offer strategies for structuring an effective cover let-
ter. Don’t forget to visit Ashford University Career Services for other helpful advice.
The Purpose of a Cover Letter Is to Summarize and Persuade
The cover letter serves a different purpose than your résumé. The cover letter should give
readers a brief summary of your skills as they relate to the job you are seeking and should
persuade them to contact you for an interview. Think of the cover letter as a marketing tool
you might use if you wanted someone to buy a product you are selling. In effect, you are sell-
ing a product—yourself! How would you convince the reader that you are the right person
for the job?
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