Resume Cover Letters: Success Strategies to Get Your Resume Read

The key ingredient to your responses to any job openings are your resume cover letters. These letters are like book covers. Fair or not, we naturally do judge a book by its cover. And an interesting cover is usually what grabs our attention and pulls us in to find out more.

Your cover letter is like that proverbial book cover. When you send your resume out, the person who receives it will often take at least a cursory glance over your cover letter. This is your chance to give them a reason to want to know more about you. It is your chance to show why the book should be opened up.

A resume cover letter should be revised for each and every job for which you apply. If there is a specific name listed that the resume should be addressed to, be sure that you use it. Never address a letter To Whom It May Concern, when you actually have the name of the intended recipient.

Always refer back to the advertisement for the position. This shows that you have actually read the posting and are writing this letter specifically for that particular opening. Mention where you saw the advertisement. Use the exact language from the advertisement when explaining why you are applying. If they are looking for someone who is detail oriented, you can say that you are detail oriented.

But saying that you have a specific skill is not sufficient. You need to follow it up with an example of how the reader can say in your resume that you have that skill. Refer to a specific position that illustrates that you are detail oriented, such as having been a proofreader for several years.

Be enthusiastic when discussing your interest for both the position and the industry and be descriptive. Expand a little on why you would be a good fit and, again, give an example or two, always referring to your resume. You do not want to have a long cover letter that is a duplicate of your resume. Only highlight a few key job duties at a couple of positions that show your relevant experience for the position you are applying for.

When you end your letter, do so with confidence. You do not hope to meet them; you look forward to meeting them and discussing how you can be an asset to the company. Be sure to express appreciation for the consideration and time of the person reviewing your application.

The final step is proofreading, and you must be very thorough with this. It is never a bad idea with job applications to have someone else read over letters and resumes. Misspellings or grammatical errors in cover letters will make you appear careless and as if you do not really have much interest in the position, regardless of what you have stated in the letter. The prospective employer will be concerned that your work will reflect the same carelessness.

When applying for jobs, resume cover letters are like first impressions. You only get one chance at them. But with these tips your resume is much more likely to be read, and you will be that much closer to being invited in for an interview.

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