Secrets of an effective CV cover letter

7 Secrets of a Highly-Effective Resume Cover Letter

Job-hunters spend so much time and energy on writing the perfect CV that they've often got nothing left to offer their poor, neglected cover letters.

Big, BIG mistake!

It is the well-written cover letter not the CV that can single-handedly land you more job interviews. The cover letter is your one chance to really "market" yourself to an employer using proven marketing strategies rarely found in the typical cover letter.

Conversely, there's only so much you can do with the traditional CV or resume. A carefully crafted cover letter can be more important to your job search success than any other written document, including the CV.

7 tips for writing a highly-effective CV cover letter:

1. ADDRESS your cover letter to a specific person whenever possible. Do your best to find out "To Whom" you should address your cover letter. "Dear Manager" is lifeless.

2. OPEN with an attention-grabbing first sentence to really grip the reader. This will almost guarantee your cover letter and resume get a closer look.

3. REMEMBER less is more. The best cover letters have plenty of white space. Cover letters that are clear, focused, short and sweet land more job interviews period.

4. FOCUS on what you can do for the employer. How can you benefit the company specifically? Do a little research and relate this simply and clearly in your letter.

5. CHOOSE WORDS that show enthusiasm and passion for the position you seek. Then, carry this passion into the interview with you.

6. REQUEST ONE ACTION you want the employer to take: "I would really like the opportunity for a personal interview this week." (You never know until you ASK.)

7. END your cover letter with something enthusiastic and telling like, "I look forward to being interviewed at your earliest convenience. Thank you so much for this opportunity." Sincerely, John Jobseeker. (Notice how John assumes she'll land the interview? This is clever, smart, and it can work like a charm).

Think of your cover letter as a sales letter. The only purpose of your CV cover letter is to land you more job interviews. That's the bottom line. By using the marketing strategies outlined above you will land more quality job interviews than your competition.

You must find a way to get your "foot in the company door" to have any chance of landing the job. With the right cover letter you can blow the doors of opportunity wide open. And remember, more job interviews can translate to more job offers.

Finally, probably the most important advice is this:

FOLLOW-UP every job lead, contact, and communication. Following up is the "golden key" to getting hired for the job of your dreams. Use follow-up cover letters, thank you letters, even follow-up phone calls. Following-up can literally double your chance for success. It is also the one secret ingredient missing from 99% of every job-seeker's playbook.

This article was adapted from an article by Jimmy Sweeney