What many people don't realize is that the purpose of the cover letter is NOT to get you a job. No, the purpose of the cover letter is to get you noticed. Your cover letter should immediately grab the attention of the reader (hopefully your future boss) which will then lead to an interview.

Therefore, an attractive, well-written cover letter can be the difference in getting an interview or getting your application thrown in the trash, so it's absolutely imperative that you spend time crafting a quality cover letter that grabs attention and makes you stand out amongst all the other candidates.

Fortunately, writing a cover letter doesn't have to be difficult.

Here are ten easy and effective tips on how to write a cover letter

1. Use the KISS principal (Keep It Simple Stupid). An effective cover letter is short, sweet, and to the point. Your cover letter should never be more than 1 page and should never be overly wordy.

2. In the opening paragraph, state your reason for writing the letter and refer to the specific position you are applying for.

3. The body of your cover letter must give details regarding your work experience and skills. However, this is much more powerful when you can provide specific examples.

4. Personalize your cover letter. Stay away from mass mailing expressions such as "To Whom it May Concern". Address the letter directly to the person responsible for the hiring. If you don't know the person's name, do not hesitate to call the company and ask.

5. Start your cover letter off with a bang by putting the most impressive material first. Do not assume the reader will go through your complete cover letter. You must grab their attention form the very first line.

6. Make sure your cover letter passes the "scan test". Never forget that many human resource departments must go through thousands of applications per day. Therefore, you should bullet the important points. This makes your cover letter more reader friendly and will also grab the reader's attention. Think about other innovative ways to make your cover letter pass the "scan test".

7. Take the initiative to contact the employer after they receive your cover letter. Remind the employer that you are a prospective candidate and ask about the status of the job.

8. Always check your cover letter for spelling mistakes. Do not let your chance of getting the job slip away by making silly spelling mistakes. Do a spell-check on your computer then print the cover letter and re-check the hard copy for mistakes. Also, since it is often difficult to find your own spelling mistakes make sure to ask someone else to read your cover letter as well. A fresh set of eyes can help pick out those mistakes.

9. Create a "professional" looking cover letter by printing your cover letter on high-grade paper.

10. Re-read your cover letter after a couple of days. Once you have completed your cover letter put it away for a couple of days and then go back and re-read your cover letter. You'll be surprised at what you discover.

Use these 10 cover letter tips as a checklist to help you write your next professional cover letter.

Adam Waxler
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