Cover Letters

The Cover Letter Controversy

Employment professionals have differing views on the importance and relevance of a cover letter. This is largely because many cover letters serve primarily (and rather uselessly) to announce an enclosed resume. However, others believe that a cover letter is and should be a strategic document, and Olila agrees.

Approached as as an opportunity to make a strong argument for your candidacy, a cover letter can be a critical complement to your resume. Less tightly structured, a cover letter allows you to discuss such points as what you know or value about the company to which you are applying, and how you believe your specific skills can contribute to its success. It also gives you a chance to display your thought processes and overall approach to the world of work. If you have one opportunity to present yourself and capture interest, there is simply no valid reason for not using every tool at your disposal, including a thoughtfully developed cover letter.

Why Our Letters Are Effective

Olila carefully analyzes your background, your industry, and the opportunities and companies you are pursuing. Working closely with you, we pinpoint how your career goals and what you offer intersect with the recipient company's culture, current needs, and stage of development. This allows us to develop a thoughtful and effective argument for your candidacy that appeals directly to key concerns of hiring managers:

• Will you have the enthusiasm and drive to be effective in this position?

• Do you have reasons to be committed to the position and to the company?

• Do you understand how this position fits into the company's structure, both formal and informal?

• Will you fit into our culture?

• Do our short- and long-term goals match?

• Will you grow with the company?

• Will you further the company's success and positively impact its bottom line?

Please also see our approach to job search strategies and resumes.