·         Reflection of Your Interest – the ease with which you can apply to jobs on-line is the exact reason that a cover letter is paramount.  It is a strong indicator that you are serious about your candidacy, not just slinging your resume out there to see where it sticks.

·         Template versus Boilerplate – Having a standard cover letter is a starting point, not something to arbitrarily cut-and-paste each time you apply.  Make sure the document reads like it is written for the reader and only the reader.  Ask yourself this – aren’t you more apt to take the time to read a letter you can tell was written just for you versus one that is clearly generic?  I know I am.

·         It’s All About Standing Apart from the Crowd – as unemployment continues to increase, so does your pool of competition.  Differentiating is the name of the game now more than ever.  Your cover letter is the perfect platform to do just that.

·         The Interview Before the Interview – Every C level executive I work with says the same thing.  They use the cover letter as a barometer to gauge a candidate’s ability to effectively communicate.  This is an ideal time to showcase your written communication skills.

·         Recruiters Don’t Read Them – Yes and no.  The good ones do and the others should.  For all the reasons listed here plus it gives them pre-packaged selling points for their clients, should they consider you a candidate.  They, after all, are another example of an interview before the interview.

Are cover letters sometimes overlooked?  Yes.  On the other hand, they are quite often a deciding factor as to whether or not you will get an interview.  So, take the time to put together a document that reflects you and why you should be considered over the other hundreds of applicants.  This attention to detail could be the first step towards getting you the interview you want and the job you deserve.

This past week, I spent a little over 30 minutes talking about this point plus a few more.  Most important, I shared some free tips and remedies on how you can get a system that works for you.  If you weren’t one of the 1000 participants on the webinar, you can listen here to the “5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search.”

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com 

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