James A. Rhodes State College
Cover Letter and Job Search Correspondence
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about “the cover letter”
Yes, a cover letter should be sent with each resume (never send a resume without some type of cover letter).
Yes, a cover letter should accompany a completed application being mailed to the employer.
Yes, the letter MUST be error-free (no typos or misspellings; correct grammar.)
Yes, each letter should be addressed to a specific individual (if you don’t know the name, give the office a call. Get the name, check the spelling, title and address.)
Yes, it looks very professional to have your cover letter paper and any job search correspondence match the paper of your resume.
No, we do not recommend that you spend the extra money to have the cover letter and resume mailed in an 8½” x 11” envelope. The envelope just gets opened and separated from the resume. But a matching envelope and letter make a nice impression.
Yes, it’s important that each letter of correspondence look professional - so be sure to check out the format of the sample cover letters in this section…they will demonstrate how to lay the page and letter.