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.

As much as the adage tells us not to judge a book by its cover, we all do. So when your cover letter is being read, which it often is before the resume is even looked at, it needs to give the reader reasons to want to know more. The reader needs to know why they should open up the book or, in this case, continue on to the resume.

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.

As you are writing your cover letter, refer back to the description in the job opening. You want to show that you have read the advertisement carefully and are writing the letter just for that position. Indicate where you saw the ad posted. Repeat phrases that were in the ad (but not too many). Again, you want to indicate that you are conscious of what they are looking for in a prospective applicant. So, if the ad says you need to be detail oriented, go ahead and say that this is one of your skills.

However, you cannot just state a skill such as being detail oriented. You need to give an example from your resume that shows this. Let the reader know they will note in your resume that you held a proofreading position for several years, for example.

Express interest in both the position and the industry that it is in. Give reasons why this position excites you. Again, give specific examples of why they should be interested in you. You do not want to duplicate your resume in your cover letter, just highlight key experience that fits as closely as possible with the position in the ad.

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.

As with any first impression, you only have the opportunity for one. And resume cover letters are just that, they form the first impression that a potential employer will have of you. However, with the guidelines above, there is a good chance that your first impression will be successful and, especially if your resume is just as good, you will be asked in for an interview.

Working on making a successful cover letter visit http://www.job-cover-letters.com/2009/10/tips-for-writing-a-successful-cover-letter/ now. Polish up your resume cover letters and get results. All it takes is a stop at http://www.job-cover-letters.com.

categories: jobs,employment and resume info,careers – employment,careers,employment – careers,employment,business – career