Cover Letter Mistake #2 - Who Are You and Why Should I Interview You?

Have you ever been reading some piece of literature and as youre reading you realize you have no idea what the point of the whole piece actually is? Its very annoying and youre likely not to read another word because you feel like youve already wasted your time.

Have you thought about what a hiring manager must think when this happens with a cover letter? Imagine being inundated with resumes and cover letters that dont even say anything important. They consider those types of applicants not worthy of interviews and therefore will trash your resume and not give you another thought.

How do you avoid being discarded without a second glance? There are some ways to make them want to read your information and get you in there for an interview.

1) Include a title

This is a tactic that really helps hiring managers focus in on what job you are applying for without having to take even a few seconds to figure it out. Remember: anything you can do to make their job easier you should try to do.

The title doesnt have to be word-for-word the actual position but something very closely related. You can work it in pretty effortlessly in the first sentence of your cover letter.

2) Point out the highlights

Sometimes employers get so bogged down with resumes that they resort to weeding them out rather quickly. The first thing they read about you comes from your cover letter. Be sure to look at the job description for which you are applying and make a point to highlight them in your cover letter.

One of the most effective ways to do this is by using bullets. The reader might only spend 20 seconds on your resume package before deciding whether or not to read the entire document. You dont want to go through all that work only to have them believe youre not qualified (when you really are). By making your cover letter easy for the reader to skim over while picking up on all the important information, youve just made the hiring manager quite pleased. And if your qualifications are indeed a good fit, then you have a great chance of being moved into the interview pile.

3) Let them be able to contact you

Have you ever left off your contact information from your cover letter? Job seekers believe that if they include it on their resumes, theyre set. Sadly, theyre mistaken.

When there is a job opening, all kinds of paperwork is flying around the office. It can happen that a cover letter and resume get separated from one another and sometimes get lost all together. Its always best to have all your contact information on both your resume and cover letter so that no matter which document the employer has, youre covered.

Cover letters can be tricky; even what you deem as insignificant can have a major impact on your ability to get interviews. What may seem as unimportant to you may end up making the difference between waiting for an interview and actually getting one.

Recognized as a leading expert in the employment search industry, Heather Eagar is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Check out reviews of the top resume writers, in the industry at http://www.ResumeLines.com

Cover Letter Format Frenzy!
There has been a cover letter format frenzy on the internet. Job seekers are looking for a cover letter that will get them th...

Cover Letter Templates
Cover letter templates can be a great asset to job seekers if they are used correctly. There seems to be some cover letter m...

Cover Letter Examples
Cover letters are the most important piece of writing that you will produce when going through the whole recruitment process ...

Accounting Resume and Sample Cover Letter
Many people have wanted to get into the accounting field of work, so finding an accounting resume and sample cover letter can...

The Importance of a Great Cover Letter
Youve seen a want ad for a job that seems to be the perfect fit for you. You really want to impress the employer, so you set...

Education Cover Letter 101
Writing a good education cover letter is a must. However, there are those who fall over the mistake that this is the best way...

Your Cover Letter Example Checklist
When looking at cover letter examples in a book or on the internet you should have a cover letter example checklist that you ...

7 Tips for Writing Winning Resume Cover Letters
Writing a good resume cover letter is something you should seriously consider when preparing to send off your resume to poten...

Writing Your Own Cover Letter
People in search of employment will know the importance of writing the cover letter. It pays to have a good cover letter that...

Free Sample Cover Letters
The application for a professional position generally consists of two documents, a resume accompanied by a cover letter. Whil...

Mistakes Keeping You From Getting An Interview
It has been a couple days you and you have sent out many resumes and wonder why employers are not calling? Have you asked you...

Teachers Also Need A Good Cover Letter
Writing a good cover letter is the best way to sell yourself to an employer. It is written very differently from a resume. A ...

Do I Really Need a Professional Resume Service?
Yes. A Professional Resume Service Can Help.There is nothing more important than a good cover letter and resume when looking...

An Outstanding Cover Letter: You Need One, Too
There is nothing that can compare to an outstanding cover letter. If you want to get an employers attention, you will need c...

Best Approach To Make The Sample Cover Letter And Salary Requirement Request
Many people find it difficult to write a cover letter. This alone stresses them out. What more can they do once they face the...

Yes, You Need A Cover Letter!
People ask me daily, “Do I really need a cover letter?”And every day I answer, “Yes, you do!”The cove...

How to Write a Great Cover Letter
A cover letter is a one-page letter which is sent out with a rsum or CV when you are replying to a job advertisement or when ...

Cover Letters That Get the Job Done
So what is a cover letter and why is it so important? Now a days it seems more and more companies wont even look at a resume...

Why Get Inspiration from Cover Letter Samples?
A cover letter is an important part of every application letter. It is thus amazing how most job applicants ignore the cover...

5 Cover Letter Tips
Competition for jobs these days is fierce. The internet has made it easy for dozens or even hundreds of people to apply for ...