Though there are many different things to think through and cover when it comes to writing a good cover letter, the following tips should help you to consider what is truly important. Consider using some of the following strategies to ensure that your resume cover letter writing is well thought out, that yours stands out and gets the proper attention, and that you ultimately move to the next step in the process.

• Make it clear in your cover letter that you really want the job.
• Consider putting a subject line near the beginning of the letter to indicate the target position you are seeking or going after.
• Don’t let your opening statement or anything at the beginning give your reader a chance to think “No” and put your cover letter down.
• Target your resume cover letter writing by researching the prospective company and showing in the letter that you’ve done the necessary homework and know some important information on the company.
• Towards the end of the cover letter, consider repeating the recipient’s name to add in that special little touch.
  If you are replying to an ad without a person’s name and have no way to find it out, consider eliminating the salutation line altogether.
• When you are short on professional work experience to qualify for a specific position, consider any sort of voluntary or alternative experience which may be related.
• If you speak a foreign language fluently, be sure to mention that in your cover letter.
• If you are responding to an ad placed in a newspaper, be sure to include the specific date that the ad ran.
• If you have been laid off and for some reason but don’t want to mention it in your cover letter, consider including this pertinent information but “downsize” its impact by focusing instead on your strengths, abilities, and experiences.
• If you are sending your resume by email, begin your cover letter with bullets showing all your strengths and qualifications so that the first 10-15 lines in the reader’s email window are sure to capture attention.
• Consider using one or more testimonials in your cover letter to speak to your abilities.
• If you have an impressive success story to speak to your previous work experience, consider using that in your resume cover letter writing.
• Be sure that in writing a good cover letter that you don’t ever come across as desperate at any point—that’s a major turn off.
• It’s ok to begin or end the letter with a quotation that sets the tone and provides insight for understanding your work, character, attitude, outlook or whatever else you want to convey—this is a nice little extra that goes above and beyond and demonstrates strong resume cover letter writing.
• Try to make your cover letter not only informative but also persuasive in nature.
• To grab attention, try making your first sentence a bold assertion or question to really grab the attention of the reader and draw them in.

In order to convey good solid resume cover letter writing, you have to do your part to consider the audience and what you truly want to say to them. Think through the things that are important to you and by all means, find a way to stand out from the crowd. You want to be sure that in writing a good cover letter that you speak to what a qualified candidate you are, and why you are undoubtedly the person for the job.

What does a JIST card look like?

A JIST card is a carefully constructed document that contains all of your essential information that you want employers to know. It is presented in a very brief and easy to read format. Though it is typically in a 3×5 inch card format, it can certainly be designed into many other sizes and formats to accommodate various needs. A JIST card can be used as a folded business card or included in an email as an example. This is like a business card of sorts, but designed for job search purposes. So just as job application cover letter samples have their place, so too do these brief but important JIST cards.

Just as you would focus your efforts on your resume cover letter writing in a specific and appropriate format, the same holds true for JIST cards. They can be something as simple as a neat handwritten document to as elaborate as a glossy paper with graphics on it. You should put as much effort and thought into creating your JIST card as you do in your resume cover letter writing. It’s important to remember that all of these documents are meant to serve as effective ways to convey who you are, and will make the difference between you getting the interview or not. In addition to creating your resume and to forming customized job application cover letter samples, you should work to construct a JIST card.

JIST cards get you results

In a “Michael’s survey” of employers, more than 90% of JIST cards help to form a positive impression of the writer within thirty seconds. What is even more amazing is that about 80% of employers say they would be willing to interview a person just because of their JIST card—regardless of whether there was an actual job opening or not. So what this says is that while your resume cover letter writing is an important part of the process, a simple and well constructed JIST card can help you to get your foot in the door. It’s still important to be prepared with all other aspects of the job search, such as appropriate job application cover letter samples, but having a JIST card can help with a powerful introduction.

Recommend ways to use JIST Cards

As you can use effective resume cover letter writing in a variety of targeted ways, you can also create customized JIST cards. Some of these uses include:

• Attach a JIST card with your resume or application
• Enclose one within your thank you note
• Give JIST cards to people within your network
• Send these cards to people from your alumni
• Send them to members of your professional associations
• Send JIST cards as your main focus of an email

So how do you actually create a JIST card?

You usually see JIST cards in paper format. Many office supply stores have perforated light card stock sheets that you can run through your printer—these work quite well as a basis for your JIST cards. By using this type of paper, you can then tear these apart into 3×5 inch cards. Many word processing programs have templates that allow you to create these customized documents online. As with any other aspect of your job search including job application cover letter samples, it can be quite helpful to know what format to follow. This can help you to get started and to properly convey who you are and get the attention of the hiring manager.

When it comes to your job search, it can help to work through various channels and be as prepared as possible. If you want to get the attention of potential hiring managers, you want to use the most effective means possible to do so. You want to encompass effective and powerful resume cover letter writing to grab the necessary attention. You want to use related job application cover letter samples as a foundation for which you can customize and portray who you are and what you have to offer. Another important part of this process is JIST cards which can tell a potential employer who you are and what you can bring to the table in one simple snapshot. With the information gathered here and the sample below, you can create an effective JIST card that can really help to make the difference in your job search efforts.

A sample JIST card

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You now come to the heart of the letter, as the body is an excellent place for you to use your resume cover letter writing to list out what about you is relevant to their needs. Employers are not interested in you, but rather what it is that you can bring to the overall organization. If you write professional cover letters to show that you can help them do something, they will be much more interested and motivated to talk to you. This goes for your cover letter, resume, actual interview, and all aspects of your job search.

If you are using your cover letter to relate to or respond to a specific job opening, then you can cite the job description to help interpret the employer’s needs from your point of view. Use your resume cover letter writing to convey your knowledge of the job, the function of the job, the overall organization, and the industry that it is a part of. Any specific information that you can site will help to make you appear more qualified and ensure that you move on throughout the process.

Another key point which is often a mistake in resume cover letter writing is to mention and point to credible and powerful examples that are specific in nature, and not general.

For example, a food company might place a job posting for somebody with “three years of corporate financial experience in the manufacturing industry”, but if you take the time to call ahead and learn more about the company and the specific position, then you can find out that the position is actually going to focus on budgeting and planning. 

With this key information, you can use your resume cover letter writing in a much more powerful and effective way by saying: “I have over five years of experience in corporate planning and budgeting experience in food manufacturing. I would like to apply all of my experience to the related position in your organization.”

Step4: Smart closing with a call to action

To this point, your cover letter has opened with an impactful hook and then gone on to include relevant and effective examples of your abilities throughout the body. Here’s where you keep the momentum going by closing with an assertive yet polite request to advance you onto the next step of the process. This is where effective resume cover letter writing comes into play as you don’t ask for a next step for an interview, but you instead politely demand it.

A smart closing is one which emphasizes how you can contribute to a potential employer with a positive note and follow up call. Be sure that you actually keep the promise and follow up with a call.

Here is a sample closing:
I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you and look at the opportunity to have a new branch in Canada. I would love to do my homework and put together some ideas and thoughts for how I can help to make this happen with my five years of applicable working experience in Canada.

Step5: Proofread and double check everything

This is another important part of resume cover letter writing many people might ignore. Before you fold the paper and insert into an envelope, you need to make sure it is 100% error-free. The best way to do it is to read loud several times by yourself and then have your friend or family member double check for you. It is worth the time doing this so that your cover letter clearly communicates your message to a potential employer in a positive and professional manner.

Step6: Sign your letter and choose the appropriate method

At this point, you just need to hand sign your name in the space between the complimentary closing and your typed name. If you choose to send your professional cover letter by mail, make sure to use only high quality paper for printing. You can also print the envelope or use a label for the mailing address and your retune address on top of the left.

Email is another popular way to send your professional cover letter. Start in directly with:  “Dear Ms. Wells”, and avoid the temptation to begin with something like “Hi, Helen.” It’s important to remember that even through email, you must follow the basic rules and professional approach for professional cover letters.
The subject line of your email is equally as important, keep it short and make sure that the recipient understands why you are writing.
An example: Subject: job application Jul02 – Sales rep. Jennifer Walkers

Step7: Dig into the opportunity by following up

Right after sending out the letter, you should remind yourself to follow up within the time frame you specified in your letter. Don’t assume that the employer will contact you. The bottom line is that you are the one who cares about the job opportunity the most. Don’t be afraid to follow up with your letter, call and ask for an interview, and ultimately make it happen. If you don’t care enough, who else will?

As with any other step in the process, professional cover letters take some time and effort. You want to be sure that you are always conveying yourself in the most professional manner possible, and that you demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job. If you follow these seven steps, you are sure to have success and create the best and most effective cover letter to get you noticed and to move on in the process.

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For the best effects and a surefire way to move on in the process, use these seven steps to make your resume cover letter writing easy and effective.

Step1: Presentation with an effective format

You can use whichever tool works best for you to begin your resume cover letter to properly display all of your contact information at the top of the page. Just be sure that for the most professional cover letters possible, you are consistent with the font and style choices that you use throughout your resume. This shows a great attention to detail, and provides an automatic favorable first impression. Be sure to consider the format which you are sending the letter, for example an email cover letter will require a slightly different format than a mailed cover letter.

Step2: Focus on the first paragraph to create a strong hook

The first paragraph of your professional cover letters should let your reader know why are writing, that is what the actual purpose is. It’s important to try and make your opening sentence interesting enough to draw in the reader and intrigue them to read the remainder of the letter. Remember what we discussed in “The Hook” article—this is the first and most important point that you make so you really need to make it jump off the page and pull in the reader. For the purposes of effective cover letter writing, here is a sample of a strong hook:

While acting as a purchasing manager, I restructured the entire purchasing process and reduced the operational costs at a rate of 15%. As this was a major part of my career as a purchasing manager, I would like to speak with you about how I can contribute to your organization and deliver the same results.

— to be continued

What words will you say to determine if you get the interview and stand out from the crowd? What is your specific hook going to be? What will you do to really capture the attention of the reader and ensure that you move on in the process rather than be thrown aside? These are all important elements in the job search process, and some would argue that the hook can be the most crucial element for your resume cover letter writing. If you have a good hook that works in grabbing and retaining attention, then you’re in! If you have an ineffective or bad hook, your hopes at a potential job are gone. You want your cover letter to come right out in a straightforward and confident manner and say “hire me”!

So how do you do it? What is the best and most effective way to create a powerful and attention grabbing hook?

Before you dive right into writing a good one, you need to do your homework. Take the time to research the potential employer and understand what about you will bring value to the overall organization. It’s important to portray how you above any other candidate understand the organization, and what specifically you will do to add value. This not only involves research on the company as a whole, but also a little soul searching to really dig deep and establish what credentials and qualifications you have. You may know what they are, but to be able to put them into effective words can sometimes be the hardest part. You want to also look into the job itself and the person you are reaching out to whenever possible. The more homework you do on these two individual factors, the more confidence will show through in your hook and your resume cover letter writing.

Help to define and clarify for the hiring manager what specific skills and experience helps to not only qualify you for the position, but make you the best choice. What about you and your experience is pertinent to the position you are applying for? Why would a hiring manager choose you over any other candidate? These are the types of questions you must ask yourself, for without this background and expression, you are doomed from the start. It can be equally important to understand who you are writing to. Any knowledge you can gain on the reader of the cover letter can really help you to gain credibility. Your hook should not only be based on your qualifications and knowledge, but also catered to the individual that is reading it as well. This is just as important of a factor!

Remember that the purpose of the hook within a resume cover letter writing is to capture the attention of the reader. You are sending an immediate and very important signal that you are undoubtedly the right candidate for the job. You aren’t just any other “run of the mill” candidate—you are the one and your words will say that for you. Your hook should exude confidence and ability, and should demonstrate that you understand what the position and the organization calls for. It’s important to avoid certain words or phrases that will cause you to fall into the boring trap as every other candidate.

Such words and phrases to avoid include:

• This letter is in response to your advertisement or job posting
•  To whom it may concern—that’s an immediate turn off just from the greeting
• I am writing to apply for the marketing assistant position

Rather than skipping over the standard words, a good hook should make the reader stand up and take notice. They should feel compelled to read on after reading your hook, and even question “wow, who is this person?” A good hook should force the reader to read on and find out a little bit more about you because it is intriguing and grabs their attention immediately.

If you can find some sort of supporting evidence on the position you are applying for, or some publication or public speaking engagement that is somehow related to your field, then by all means reference it. It can be something as simple as words on a press release, part of a speech given by the CEO, or even some comments on the corporate website or in an interview by an executive. If it somehow supports the organizations vision or mission and you can find a way to relate it to what you do and what the position entails, then reference it. This is an excellent way not only to show that you did your homework, but that you understand how you being hired into this position can add value to the organization and its overall goals and objectives. This is the type of thing that will undoubtedly make you stand out from the other candidates, as it will show an ability that is unrivaled.

You start to see just how special and important the hook really is. If you never understand it before or doubted the importance, then let this be a lesson. A good hook is ultimately your ticket in the door. Rather than going with a “cookie cutter” approach, make your hook really count for something. Choose your words carefully, do your homework, and let this all show through in an attention grabbing hook that leaves your reader feeling impressed from the start. Always remember who you are writing to, and never forget to show confidence in what specifically you can offer to the company. Be specific, be creative, and get to the point very early on—that makes for an excellent hook and a good cover letter overall.

If you want to truly stand out in a tough job market, or be the candidate that gets selected without a doubt, then focus your efforts on a good hook. Remember your cover letter is what will get you the interview, and your hook is what will get you attention to even move in on the process. If you take the time and do it right, your hook will grab their attention and allow you to be the candidate that moves in on the process.
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