What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a business letter used to connect with an employer. It lets them know why you’re interested in the role and the organization. It can expand, not repeat, the information on your resume and address any concerns, like an employment gap or an industry change. It’s your chance to take control of your career narrative and show you’re a candidate to consider.

There is only one cover letter format, the business letter format, which is no longer than one page or even half a page. Each cover letter paragraph has a purpose:

When writing a cover letter, remember to include a header, the same as your resume, and a salutation.

What Is a Resume?

A resume is a snapshot of your career that presents your qualifications to a potential employer. It uses a specially formatted template to include your contact information, career statement, work experience, skills, and education.

There are three major resume formats: combination, skills-based, and chronological. Each format highlights your strongest qualification, whether it’s experience, skills or a balanced combination of both.

Key Differences Between a Cover Letter and a Resume

Knowing the differences between these documents can help you create an even better application.

Structure

• A cover letter uses paragraphs and narration to showcase your personality.
• A resume uses concise bullet points to present your skills and experience.
• Both documents use action verbs, which empower your quantifiable accomplishments and present you as a powerful candidate.

Personal voice

• A resume has no personal voice. There is no use of pronouns and no narration. Everything is presented as succinctly as possible. The resume template shows the personality through icons, colors, and other design elements.
• A cover letter uses narration to showcase personality. A job seeker can write professionally with a casual tone to introduce themselves confidently or use industry jargon to highlight their expertise in a more serious manner.

Purpose

• The purpose of a resume is to present your qualifications and give the employer a snapshot of your career. It should create enough interest to get you an interview.
• The purpose of a cover letter is to show your personality and human interest. Why do you choose this employer over others? Why are you interested in this role over other available positions? What have you learned or experienced that can be an asset to this role, and how?

Appearance/Format

• The most obvious difference between both these documents is that a cover letter uses paragraphs and natural writing.
• A resume uses bullet points and short, punchy sentences without pronouns to highlight your accomplishments or list your skills and other information.

Content

• A resume has five basic elements: contact information, career statement, skills, education, and work experience. It may also include optional sections like certifications, licenses, languages, volunteer opportunities, awards and so on.
• A cover letter uses three to four paragraphs with each serving a different purpose.

When to Use a Cover Letter

A cover letter is a useful tool, but it has a place and time to use it. So, when is a cover letter necessary?

If the application, whether for a job or for academic purposes, requests it.

If you’re in networking events and are short on time to connect with an employer.

When seeking a career change to take control of the narrative and highlight what you can bring to a new table.

Avoid using a cover letter when:

The application specifically states, “No cover letter.”

If you’re using a hiring platform and there is no designated cover letter field.

When to Use a Resume

A resume is most commonly used for job applications, but it has other uses too.

Applying for employment or to advance in your career.
Applying for a postgraduate degree.
Attending a networking event.
Seeking a volunteer role.
When consulting or doing freelance work.

How Cover Letters and Resumes Work Together

A cover letter and a resume complement each other to narrate the story of your career and who you are as a candidate.

While a resume presents your qualifications in a clear-cut manner, a cover letter shows your human side. Let’s say you’re a marketing manager, and this is one of your accomplishments:

Your cover letter could explain how you got there, what you did, and what tools were used. Through the story, you could present your soft skills. In this case, we can see teamwork, leadership, communication and research skills.