Free Cover Letter Samples - Should You Really Use Them?
Specifically, we"re going to talk about the benefits to using free letters, some of the "cons" to using them, and why you may have to pay a few dollars to find the kind of template you"re looking for. By the time you have finished reading this article, you"ll be better informed on how to find sample cover letters online.Let"s start by looking at some of the benefits to using free samples. Firstly, by using a sample as a "template", you can borrow elements to write your own unique letter without having to create one from scratch. This is a great way to get a general structure or layout to base your own letter around. Obviously, the "free" price tag is enticing, also.
However, there are a few cons to using free cover letter samples. The main problem is that because they are freely available, lots of people are using them. Without a lot of heavy editing, your hiring manager is sure to notice if you"ve used a freely available template.
The truth is that they already know about the free resources online, and have probably dozens of letters which are derivative of these. It goes without saying that your application will be heading straight for the trash can if they notice.
This is why most serious job hunters actually pay for a cover letter template. Thankfully, this is cheaper than you think - although the old saying "you get what you pay for" is certainly true in this case.
The key thing to keep in mind is that you need a template which is specific to your particular industry. This means the sample will hit all of the important "hot buttons" that the hiring manger is looking for. A generic letter simply won"t have the "punch" needed to make you stand out from the crowd in a good way.