Cover Letter Strategies

Resume Cover Letter Articles : Cover Letter Strategies by Catherine Whitmyre

A strong cover letter can make or break your job search efforts. While some people say that the resume is the most important document, many agree that the cover letter is equally as important. Put as much thought and effort into your cover letter as you do your resume and you will increase your chances at getting a job interview. Here are a few strategies for developing a great letter that gets noticed.

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First of all, make sure that the cover letter is targeted to each specific job you are applying to. Don't just create one generic cover letter and send it to every employer. Change the content of each letter to show that you are interested in each particular job. The cover letter is your introduction to the company. If you don't let them know that you are interested in them, why should they be interested in you?

Carefully proofread your letter. If there are misspellings, typos, punctuation problems, or grammatical errors, you will make a terrible first impression. In fact, many employers will eliminate you from consideration for mistakes like this. After all, if they get 100 or more applicants for one open position, they have to find reasons to eliminate people. Don't make the mistake of thinking proper spelling and grammar isn't important. It is.

Write dynamically, using active instead of passive verbs. For example, instead of saying "My resume will be sent tomorrow," say "I will send my resume tomorrow." Don't use flowery, exaggerated language. Use direct and common language to eliminate wordiness and better connect with your reader.

Finally, always end your letter on a positive note, encouraging the reader to respond positively. For example, it would not be good to say "If you think I am the right fit, please call me at 555-555-5555." Even suggesting that you would not be a good fit may plant the seed in the reader's mind that you are not good enough. Instead say something like "I am positive that I am a good fit for this position. Please call me at 555-555-5555 at your earliest convenience to set up a personal interview."

The cover letter is an extremely important document in your job search arsenal. Don't downplay its importance. In a tough job market with steep competition vying for a very few jobs, everything you do will be analyzed and taken into consideration. The cover letter can either make you stand out positively or stand out negatively. It's your choice.

About the Author
To learn more about the importance of a proper cover letter, visit Write A Cover Letter, a free information guide with cover letter help.

Source: Resume Cover Letter samples, cover letter templates articles at goarticles.com