FlyFastLiveSlow

Lori-
Question concerning cover letters. The short video on APC recommends using bullet statments in the meat of the cover letter. It grabs the eye and reads quick, but it offers little room for well-written explanations. Also, that's basically what a resume is--bullet statements and short facts. Will recruiters take the time to read a 3/4 page cover letter? Thank you.

FlyerJosh

Here's an example of bullets in use:



98 Evergreen Terrace
Springfield, USA
July 10, 2002

Mr. Arnie Pye
Pilot Recruiter
Jim Bob Airlines
212 Hangar Road
Shelbyville, USA

Dear Mr. Pilote:

I am seeking employment as an airline pilot and would like to be considered for a First Officer position with Jim Bob Airlines. Jim Bob Airlines has always been a company that I feel emulates the values and culture that I admire. I believe that my qualifications, training and life experience will be of interest to you. Enclosed is my resume detailing these achievements, which include:

• Airline Transport Pilot with Multi- and Single-engine ratings, as well as CFI privileges
• 7800 hours of Total flight time in airplanes with 6800 multi-engine and 4700 Turbine PIC
• Two years of FAR 121 experience
• B.S. degree in Astrophysics, minor in Retail Management from the University of Central India
• Extensive management and customer service experience

My desire to work for Jim Bob Airlines is based on several reasons: its solid reputation within the airline industry, great working environment, stable standing, and strong desire and prospects for steady growth. As an employee of your company, I would fulfill my role as a team member with great enthusiasm for learning and the utmost in professionalism.

If you have any questions, please contact me by phone at (636) 555-0143. Thank you for reviewing my resume, I look forward to the opportunity to interview with your company in the near future.

Sincerely,




Apu Nahasapeemapetilon




Enclosures

Lori Clark

Particularly for pilot positions I do not recommend summarizing your qualifications in your cover letter. This is a quick way to make sure they don't read it. They will see that your letter is a summary and go right to the resume. Or worse, read your cover letter and not your resume.

You WANT them to read your cover letter AND your resume.

Instead, the cover letter is where you’re going to give them something that is not on your resume.

While I do agree that bullet points grab attention, so does a short and sweet paragraph. If I was to draft a cover letter say, for a financial analyst, I would probably summarize the experience. Simply because the resume is most likely going to be over two pages with very lengthy duty descriptions.
Let's face it, pilots have pretty much the same duties at every job and you are already "summarizing" your qualifications right at the top of your resume.

So, my advice is to keep the cover letter personal. And by all means, short. They will most likely at the very least glance at it if it is short.

so to keep it personal I suggest including why you want to work for them and who are you?

Is there something special that attracted you to this company? Let them know! For example, if their junior domicile is New Jersey….why do you want to go there? Do you have family nearby?

How about if they contribute to certain charities that you hold near-and-dear?

If you don’t have any special reason for wanting to work for them, then simply illustrate your unique personal characteristics.

Try to compliment the company in your cover letter (feel good) and most certainly let the humility *shine*

I always thank them for taking the time to read my information and sign it "Respectfully."

Hope that helps!

FlyFastLiveSlow

Lori-
I was close to re-writing my cover letter when I remembered posting the question. I didn't really want to because I felt it was well written and complements my resume rather than sumarizing it. Thanks for the info on both questions.