Here’s everything you need to know about writing cover letters (说明信) to stand out from the competition and catch employers’ attention.
Writing a great letter can feel like a daunting task to a lot of job seekers. In fact, usually, when I start to talk with clients about this topic, the first thing people ask is, “Do I really have to write a cover letter?” When I say yes, the next question people normally ask is, “Why?”
If you’re going to spend your time working on a challenging task, it’s wise to know exactly why you’re doing it. It is true that some employers never read cover letters. Instead, they look directly at a candidate’s resume (简历). However, plenty of employers find a lot of value in a cover letter. They see it as a way of getting to know more about you, your personality and your ability to communicate outside of the structural limitations of a resume. Some employers will only read your resume if they are impressed with your cover letter.
Other employers will not read a resume if it is not accompanied by a cover letter. They feel that it is a part of a complete job application package. If you have only sent a resume, these employers believe that you have only done half of the job in the application process. They view that as a negative reflection on the way you would do the job at their company. You don’t know the employer’s preference each time you submit (提交) a resume, so you must submit a cover letter with your resume every time you apply for a job.
People sometimes ask whether writing cover letters is necessary when they respond to job ads that say “Submit your resume to…”. The answer is yes, absolutely. Even if the letter is not specifically requested in the ad, it is assumed that you will submit one along with your resume.
【小题1】What is the purpose of writing a cover letter according to the text?
A.To learn how to communicate. | B.To improve your writing skills. |
C.To attract employers’ attention. | D.To discover your desired career. |
【小题2】Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “daunting” in the second paragraph?
A.Thrilling for excitement. | B.Enjoyable for interest. |
C.Discouraging for fear. | D.Disappointing for failure. |
【小题3】What do Paragraph 3 and 4 mainly talk about?
A.The reason why you need to write great cover letters. |
B.The value of your resume and cover letter. |
C.The types of cover letters. |
D.The process you should know when writing your cover letter. |
【小题4】What can NOT be learned based on the text?
A.A cover letter usually goes with a resume. |
B.A cover letter is likely to reflect your personality. |
C.An impressive cover letter is a must for some employers. |
D.All employers are going to read cover letters. |