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...is to have contact information-name, address, phone and home email as your top letterhead.
CEO Robert Waldt reiterates the importance of opening strongly, advising "A poor opening paragraph is why many job hunters fail. It is usually a common, general sentence noting they are responding to the ad or web listing. What is more effective is to immediately establish something unique about yourself. I like to see the particular reason-background or experience-that tells me why I should hire the person up front at the start of the letter."
Additionally, you must analyze the position and the skills needed to accomplish the job. "Applicants who do not address the qualifications or other information requested in the advertisement make a huge mistake," warns Kelly Bachman, Finance Manager for a large agricultural company. "Address each specific qualification and state the experience and skills you bring to perform that task or function. The bottom line is you must show HOW you are qualified, and if you truly are not, save your time and effort and don't apply," she said.
You can jump ahead of the pack by demonstrating your superior communication skills and write an attention-getting cover letter that begins with a strong opening such as, ten years of proven experience. Then, highlight all the needed criteria and your important accomplishments. If you plan to use it electronically in an email or online application, write your letter offline and make corrections, edit, SPELLCHECK, PROOFREAD, then copy and paste the letter online and send it in.
It is a bit more trouble creating a customized cover letter, but targeting each employer's specific needs will result in a stronger application and yield more job interviews.
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