About cover letters

Update: George and I made it to Quartzsite finally. We missed the big RV show but are looking forward to seeing some of the swap meets at a more leisurely pace. We'll be here about a week.

Cover letters
Whenever you send a résumé, you should also send a cover letter. This applies to both résumés sent by e-mail and snail mail.

The purpose of the cover letter is to obtain an interview. While you can get create, a basic cover letter has these elements:

1. Identifies the position you are applying for. If you are a couple, you can include both in one letter.
2. Gives a sentence or two "sales pitch" on how your qualifications match the position.
3. Give additional pertinent information such as "I am a full-time RVer. We've been traveling for a year seeing the country and now I plan on working six months per year." Or, "Many of my jobs before hitting the road involved extensive customer service."
4. Contact information. If you are traveling, let the employer know how often you check e-mail or that if you are out of cell range, leave a message and you will return the call within a day or two.

Proofread your cover letter before sending and make sure it looks neat and clean. This, along with your résumé, is your first impression. Jaimie Hall

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com