Your resume is a very important component of your job search. Having a great cover letter to accompany your resume is equally as important as the resume. Admittedly not all prospective employers read cover letters but many do. Your cover letter introduces you and presells what you have to offer in your resume. Keep in mind that cover letters need to be short, concise and to the point. Cover letters are not a rewrite of your resume.

Here are some points you will want to consider:

* Write your cover letter so that you provide a summarized version of the most important aspects of your resume that most closely relate to the position you are applying.

* Tell the prospective employer why you need to be considered for the position.

* Highlight any skills or experience covered in your resume that you want your prospective employer to be mindful of.

* Any specific aspects of the job that you have experience in.

* The closing paragraph needs to compel the prospective employer to take action - ie, call you for the interview.

The purpose of your cover letter is to introduce yourself as being the best candidate for the job. The cover letter must "sell" the reader into at least perusing your resume. Point out your experience, talents, and abilities as they relate to the position.

You need to be professional in your presentation of your cover letter. Make sure that it looks clean and neat and provides all the pertinent information that the prospective employer needs to know about you and what makes you the perfect person for the job.

If you are struggling to write a really good cover letter there are people who make a living from helping people create professional cover letters and resumes. If you are able to afford such a service it could be a worthwhile investment.

Professional resume and cover letter writers have the experience and know-how to make you look your very best on paper.

Another option is to access free cover letter examples off the Internet. You can either download samples or simply copy and paste from a web site and then use them as a guideline for your own cover letters and resumes.

When using the free samples use them as templates to create your unique cover letter and resume that you tailor to reflect you and your capabilities.

I just did a Google search for "cover letter examples" and got 2 million results with links to some career specific cover letter examples. That should keep you busy!

Avoid using generic cover letters with your resume if you want to be considered seriously for a position. Write cover letters that individually target each position you apply for and if necessary, your resume should also be adjusted to suit.

Take the time to write and rewrite your cover letter until you believe it to be the best it can possibly be. Evaluate yourself and see what needs to be included. Remember to keep your cover letter short and specific, your resume should just be able to explain the rest.

The best cover letters advice is to write your cover letters so that you target the requirements of the job and demonstrate a very good understanding of the organization and industry you want to work in. By doing this you will significantly increase your chances of obtaining an interview.

Write cover letters that will generate the job interview offers you seek.

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Bryan Thorby is the webmaster at

www.Career-Related.Com a website offering information and resources on Career Related issues. If you are interested in learning more about cover letters, go to the Coverletters Resource Center for the secret key requisites to writing amazing cover letters.