25. February 2008 | Show Originial

Finding a job is not always easy and can sometimes become a hassle and it is often said that finding a job, is a job in itself. In order for you to win over an employer with a spotlight "Cover Letter", it is extremely important to use all marketing tools at your disposal.
Some job seekers have hurt their causes by overlooking a key selling document: the cover letter. Often times, job applications can be submitted through email and as a result, many candidates forgo the cover letter, offering little more than "Please see the attached 'resume' instead.
-That's a huge mistake.
Following are tips on successfully selling yourself to prospective employers using your cover letter.
Four Tips to Sell Yourself with Your Resume Cover Letter.
Tip #1 -Address for Success.
It is a good idea for you to find out who the hiring manager is instead of writing a generic salutation such as "To whom it May Concern." If you are not sure who the contact person is, call the company and find out the hiring manager's name and title and the correct spelling. Avoid using the following salutations, "Dear Sir or Madam and "To Whom it May Concern. This is very generic and old fashioned.
Tip #2- Customize the Content.
Be creative. Link your skills, work history and biggest professional accomplishments to the requirements of the open position. Base your approach on the information revealed in the job posting.
Tip # 3- Keep it short and sweet.
Write an attention-grabbing introduction focusing on your highlight attributes. Explain why the job interests you, request an interview and then thank the employer for His or Her time. Don't waste valuable space with cliched buzzwords or long-winded anecdotes. It is okay to show off some personality, however be mindful to keep the spotlight on your career instead of meandering off track with irrelevant details about your personal life.
Tip # 4- Offer the Truth.
Be honest. The worst mistake a job seeker can make is is to lie on a resume or cover letter. While you want to make a positive first impression and land an interview, don't stretch the truth in order to do so. Remember that even white lies, and "minor" misrepresentations can come back to haunt you, even after you've landed the position.
Finally, if you meet all of the requirements and think that you're the perfect candidate for a job, understand that there's a fine line between coming across as confident and cocky. Therefore, steer clear of off-putting self praise in your cover letter. Instead of boastfully writing about being the "best" use specific examples of how you positively contribute to your current employers bottom line as a means of selling yourself.
For more helpul tips and resume advice, click on the link for more information. http://www.vault.com/resume/resume-cover-letter-advice.jsp?gclid=clwq9KLN35ECFQOmlgodYgG2fA
