From the perspective of a professional resume editor/writer...make sure to have a boilerplate version and then match each CL against the job description. The "

From the perspective of a professional resume editor/writer...make sure to have a boilerplate version and then match each CL against the job description. The "art" of the process is to provide just enough enticement, the appetizer in other words, to make the reader want to move onto the resume. Also try to be more creative in your writing so that you don't say the exact words from the job description unless it is a highly specialized role. You want to stand out from the crowd of applicants. Try at all possible to find out if a cover letter is even necessary. Many employers don't ask for them, don't want them, ignore or throw them away. I have know individuals who have spent hours on theirs unnecessarily. Regrettable the "rules" are all over the place because different employers require different things. Try to do some legwork before hand by inquiring with HR or referring employees. HTH, Vince Fulco, CFA, CAIA vfulco[@]weisisheng.cn