5-Step Guide to Writing Cover Letters for Executives

Isn’t my resume enough to show my experience and value to a prospective employer? Why do I need a cover letter, too? You might be asking yourself these questions as you plunge headlong into a search for a new executive position.

It’s true, it is a lot of work to write a resume — and then another, and another — to ensure each is tailored for the position you’re applying to. But, no matter how much work it may seem like, you still need a strong, effective cover letter to accompany each resume you send out. Executive positions are competitive, and you need to give yourself the upper hand with a persuasive, compelling letter that makes a hiring manager want to read your resume. To help executives in the midst of a job search, I’ve written this guide to cover letters for executives.

Why Executives Need a Strong Cover Letter

A strong cover letter is so important for an executive because you simply cannot convey everything you need or want to in a two-page resume or even a three-page resume. As an executive, you have plenty of professional experience to discuss, and will probably need to leave things off your resume even after you’ve culled down your skills and accomplishments to the most relevant for the targeted position.