Cover letters are an integral part of business communication. Any staffing service, whether speaking from an employers or employees standpoint, will state that cover letters are needed in business communication. No matter what the ensuing content is, the cover letter serves as an introduction describing the sender's intentions and the receiver's expectations.

A cover letter acts in part as an advertisement. It seeks to entice the reader to become intrigued enough to read the content that is to follow. For instance, if the cover letter describes why you are sending a resume, you want to convince the potential employer that you are an excellent candidate for the job and why you would fit in well with their company. The cover letter (or the resume itself) is not enough to get you hired, but the two in conjunction need to be enthralling enough to get you an interview.

A cover letter's format is specific and non-specific. It is non-specific in relation to the information to follow being different for everyone. If the cover letter introduces a resume, the cover letter should vary depending on the nature of the job and each potential employer. It is specific in relation to certain intentions being conveyed. For instance, many experts support the acronym AIDA, meaning you first must get the readers attention, generate their interest, express your desire, and then describe what actions you will take or ask it of them (an interview for instance).

What to Include

The following is a short list of things to do in orchestrating the cover letter:

- Always write to someone in particular
- Do not make any errors
- Begin with a friendly opening
- Showcase your skills and experience
- Make it particular and personal
- Close with a statement of intended action (ask for an interview)

Closing with an action statement is very important; otherwise, it seems that later contact is something that might happen as opposed to something that is now expected (you've have taken the first step). Another addendum is to use your contacts. If you have any connections to the business, then let them know about it and refer to your connection. Most of us know that networking and 'who you know' plays a huge part in getting a job and getting ahead.