What makes a good cover letter?

Even the best and most professional resume in the world may not get read if it isn't accompanied by a great cover letter.

While your resume should spell out what you can do and where you have done it before, the cover letter should be used to sell yourself, your personality and your manners.

Here are some key indicators of a good cover letter:

• Address your letter to a person. If there was a contact person on your job ad, address it to that person. Don't be too familiar, use the titles Mr or Ms before their name. Sometimes this isn't possible, but do whatever you can to find out to whom you should address the letter. Quite often a receptionist will help you with a name if you explain why you want it.

• Avoid the beginning "I would like to apply for the position of xxx, advertised in xxxxx". This is boring beyond words. Try to open your cover letter with a sentence that will really get the attention of the reader, you want them to read further and to turn the page to read your resume.

• Your cover letter should be short and to the point. Don't give your life story, but be sure to give enough information about yourself and what you can bring to the position and company. Try to find out as much as possible about the company and match your specific interests or skills to something very specific about the organization.

• Don't try to impress the reader with big or complicated words, when a simple word will do just as well. Use professional language without being too formal, unless the position calls for this type of approach.

• Word your cover letter positively and optimistically. Suggest that you would welcome the opportunity of an interview to provide more details on how your skills match the criteria they have set for the position.

Remember your manners and thank the reader for considering your application, and invite them to turn the page to read your attached resume.

 In your cover letter you are selling yourself to the extent that the reader will really look forward to reading your resume for the facts, and meeting you to see the person.

Be sure to give your resume cover letter the attention it deserves.