By: D.J. Perkins

Looking for an easy-to-follow cover letter checklist that will help you get job interviews? Keep reading!

First off, be sure to address your letter to a specific person. If the job posting doesn't list a contact name, call the company and ask to whom you should address your cover letter.

After the greeting, there are a number of ways to capture the hiring manager's attention. Read the following list and choose the one that works best with your situation. Use it to structure your first paragraph.

1. An effective and simple technique is to state the position you're applying for and where you saw the job posted.
2. Have you already talked with the hiring manager? Mention your conversation in the first paragraph.
3. Perhaps the hiring manager favors your alma mater or has already hired graduates from your school. Begin your letter by noting your school and major.
4. Were you recommended for the job by someone knowledgable or connected to the company? Tell the hiring manager! Present this imporant information in the first paragraph.
5. Do your personality, interests, and work habits make you the perfect candidate for the job? Open your letter with your enthusiastic assessment of how your talents will work for the company.
6. Finally, if something about the company - their philosophy or a recent accomplishment - led you to apply for the position, say so in the first paragraph.

The second and third paragraphs show how your skills, experience, and work ethics will help the company and/or specific department achieve its goals. Please be specific. If, at your last job, you increased sales by 28%, say so! Did you win an award or qualify for special recognition? That's important information - put it in the cover letter and you'll get job interviews!

Here's another way to think about the middle of your cover letter: if you had thirty seconds to summarize why you think your skills match the job desciption, what would you say? In essence, that's the heart of your message.

Finally, always ask for the job interview in the last paragraph. Include the date you'll call to follow up and then remember to call on that date! Thank the hiring manager for his/her time and consideration. Close your cover letter with "Sincerely yours" or "Best regards."

A few other items to note:

1. Write with a positive, upbeat tone. If you can, let the language in the job posting guide you.
2. Use specific examples, not general ideas in your letter. If you have a gap in your employment, explain it in your cover letter - don't apologize, just state the facts.
3. Personalize each cover letter - no mass mailings! Research the company and let the hiring manager know you've made an informed decision in sending the job application.
4. Use spell and grammar checkers.
5. Write your letter, but don't mail it right away. Reread it a day or two later - you'll be surprised at how easy it is to catch mistakes when you have fresh eyes.

Best of luck with your job search!

About the Author

Want professional help with your cover letter? Here's how to get your phone ringing off the hook with more quality job interviews and job offers than you could ever imagine! http://www.squidoo.com/amazingcoverlettercreator

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