When you write a covering letter to accompany your resume, your main concern is facts. This is also what hiring managers look for. So, what should you include and what should you exclude? Read on for the top ten tips to the perfect covering letter.

Always write a covering letter for the particular position you are applying for rather than use a generic letter that is sent to many companies.

Be concise and to the point. Your covering letter is not an autobiography of your life! You need to clearly demonstrate that you meet or surpass the requirements of the job you are applying for. Do not look on your covering letter as a summary of your resume. Instead, see it as an introduction and a way of stating why you are the best candidate for the job.

Show an interest in the position. This might sound obvious, but hiring managers are experts in detecting which covering letters lack purpose or any passion for the job.

Avoid using negative statements. The object of a covering letter is to complement your resume, so be sure to use only positive statements and phrases. Do not use "I don't" or "I can't" or "I haven't" or "I couldn't". Hiring managers are looking for positive, can-do people.

Do not explain why you are leaving your present position or are between jobs. This sort of information can be left until you have secured an interview.

Do not mention your present salary scale or the level of salary you are seeking. Hiring managers will not be impressed by this as it will give them the impression that money is the only thing that interests you about the job.

Ensure the layout of your letter is clear and easy to read. Make sure there is adequate white space between paragraphs and keep the letter to one page. Use a font and font size (10 - 12 pts) that is easy to read.

Avoid business language clichs, such as "excellent team player", "excellent communication skills" and "ability to multi-task". Your aim in your letter is to stand out from the crowd. Using well-worn phrases will have the opposite effect.

Try to personalize your letter if you can. Find out the name of the hiring manager and use it when you address them in the letter. Usually you can find out contact information from websites or from simply ringing the company. Doing this will show you have initiative and it will be noted favourably by the hiring manager.

Don't forget to proofread your letter before you post it. It goes without saying that spelling and grammar errors are unlikely to secure you an interview!

KJ Hutchings is the founder of KJ Language Services, offering editing, writing and proofreading services and advice on how you can make your English language documents the very best they can be. For more information, visit http://www.kjlanguageservices.com/