There you are, trying to find the right job in a job market that has hundreds of people vying for the same position. You are not having the best of luck. In fact, you are maybe even beginning to feel desperate. As you look at your very professional resume, you ask yourself, what’s wrong? This resume is by the book and I know its good, why no interview? The answer is easy. You are not using a cover letter or your cover letter is wrong because you didn’t use a cover letter template!

For a moment, let’s take a look at what a cover letter is and what a cover letter does: Firstly a cover letter is nothing more than a letter of introduction. Secondly, it is your first line of communication where you utilize a few simple points to get that prospective interviewer choosing to look at your resume over all the hundreds on his desk. The cover letter template, of course, helps you get this done correctly.

In today’s job market, a resume is not enough. You need a cover letter that introduces you, and tantalizes the prospective employer into looking at your resume seriously. A cover letter can show a lot about you, despite the fact that it may only be two or three paragraphs.

There are important points that you must make sure you put into a good cover letter. The good news is that often you can find a cover letter template that will help you achieve this. If you get these points in the letter, then you will have done much toward landing yourself an interview. Following are some key items:

1. Be concise. Don’t try to tell your life story. The interviewer is busy, he or she won’t take much time to read it. Capture and captivate quickly.

2. Let the interviewer know what position you are applying for and how you found out about it.

3. Take one item of your resume that shows why you would be the best person for the job to encourage the interviewer to look at your full resume, but do not use the cover letter to simply restate the resume.

4. Know who you are talking to. This can also be said as do your homework. Try to make a couple of phone calls and find out who the interviewer is. Address your letter to that person, instead of the “Dear Sirs” line. That little bit of a personal touch can make a world of difference.

5. Attention to detail. Do not fire off a cover letter or resume that has a typo, or a grammatical error. Ouch. That would not put your foot in the door, but it certainly would put your letter and resume in the trash bin! Especially important is the use of a cover letter template if you are worried about your ability in this area.

6. Quality of the presentation: Use good paper – not overly done or scented or some other such thing. Just nice paper, a nice font, and a letter that is formatted correctly to balance nicely on the page.

7. Let the letter convey your personality. That does mean your professional personality. If you are a relaxed and friendly person, the do not write like you are a stuffy person. Flip side – don’t be too relaxed! Professional, friendly, pleasant, polite.

Getting your foot in the door is the job of the cover letter. Show you are qualified for the position is the job of your personal interview and your resume. Don’t be afraid to use a cover letter template to help you get the job done. Good luck!

Image taken on 2008-02-07 14:44:37. Image Source. (Used with permission)