Mastering the cover letter is possibly the most difficult part of applying for a job. Once you have finally gotten your resume or curriculum vitae formatted and worded precisely to suit the job you are applying for, it becomes time to work on the dreaded cover letter. Cover letters are important because they're often the FIRST THING a potential employer looks at. You have a short word span to tell an employer about yourself and state your desire to work in that company while maintaining the right tone. Here are some tips to help achieve this:

1) RESEARCH IS KEY

The first step to writing a cover letter that will get you hired is to research the company you are working for. Addressing the cover letter to a specific person SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES the odds of your landing an interview. Analyze the job posting for this information. Visit the potential employer's website and see what the company is all about. Look through employee pages to get an idea of exactly what they're looking for. A little extra legwork here can make all the difference.

2) USE A FORMAT THAT WORKS

Formatting is crucial to a great cover letter. Create an opening paragraph where you state the position you're applying for, as well as several key skills you can bring to the table. Like the resume, language should be succinct and action-oriented. This increases the document's readability.

The second part of your cover letter should consist of bulleted career highlights. This approach immediately establishes your suitability for the position. Highlights can and should be taken directly from your resume. Just be sure to mention specific employers for each bullet and AVOID GENERALITIES. For example, instead of saying that you increased sales revenues, include a specific percentage and list particularly successful initiatives. Proof of prior success is one of the strongest ways to pique a recruiter or hiring manager's interest.

The last paragraph of your cover letter should be very brief. Thank the reader for their consideration and let them know you'll be following up. FYI, it is perfectly acceptable to either email or call a potential employer to make sure they received your submission.

Mastering the cover letter can be difficult, but the results can really pay off. In a job market that's flooded with resumes, having a concise "teaser" that immediately highlights key skills and relevant accomplishments can mean the difference between a rejection and an interview.

Anish Majumdar is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Owner at Resume Orbit. 95% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days, and all work comes backed by a 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee (in writing).

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