During your job search, you will write cover letters for your résumés, follow-up letters, and thank-you letters. An effective cover letter highlights the particular aspects of your skills and accomplishments that best satisfy a prospective employer’s needs. Thus, it bridges the gap between your experience, skills, and abilities, and the qualifications of the position.

The objective of the résumé and the cover letter is to persuade a prospective employer to interview you. The purpose of an interview is to allow the interviewer to assess your qualifications and skills on the basis of information beyond that which is presented on your résumé. The interview also allows you to assess the organization and the desired position.

During your job search, you may experience various types of interviews. After each interview, evaluate your performance and make plans to improve any weakness that you identify. Be sure to send thank-you letters to the interviewer as well as to others who helped you secure the interview.

When you decide to change jobs, you should prepare a letter of resignation. Doing so will result in positive feelings about your resignation not only for you but also for the people you worked with. A letter of resignation is necessary even if you resign in person.