Cover letters give employers an overview of what's on your resume and employment intentions. Think of the cover letter as a type of introductory statement.

Not all cover letters are created equal. Before you sit down to bang out your cover letter know what kinds of letters exist. Choose the style that best matches your goals. Avoid creating a "one size fits all" cover letter. Employers see thousands of cover letters a day; make yours stand out with unique information related to the intent of the letter.

There are three types of cover letters:

Letter of Application: A cover letter directed at applying for a specific, advertised job opening. The letter of application should accompany a full resume and conversely, never submit a resume without a cover letter. This type of cover letter should specifically tie your relevant experience to the specific position advertised.

Letter of Inquiry: A letter that expresses interest in gaining employment with a particular employer or in a particular field. In your letter, specify your skills and education paying special attention to any relevant volunteer, employment or internship experience.

Networking Inquiry: Use a networking inquiry letter to make contact with those in the field who may have contacts or resources that are of assistance to you. For example, an advertising executive that is a former alumnus of your school can help you break into advertising. Contact them by letter introducing yourself, how you are connected and the type of guidance you seek (an internship, a full-time position or advice).

Tips for Cover Letters:

• Be brief. Typically, your resume is either attached or will be requested at some point in the hiring process. Make your cover letter a tease for the employer to want to get a hold of your complete resume.
• State your intentions clearly in the first paragraph. A statement like, "The Blah Blah position advertised on your website is a perfect match to my skills and qualifications," lets the employer know what specific job you are interested in and that you have relevant job history to support your inquiry.
• Give employers an idea of why you are interested in their company. This may require some nosing around on the company website or calling the company's customer service department to ask questions about the company's operations. Mention in your cover letter that you are excited about the opportunity to work on their new software team or are impressed with their new offshore operations.