Cover Letter Writing: How Do I Write A Cover Letter To Get More Interviews?

Have you ever sat down with someone and asked, "How do I write a cover letter to get more interviews?" If so, what was the person's reaction? Although it is becoming a better known part of the job seeker toolkit today, the idea of cover letter writing as a means of getting job interviews was largely ignored by many.

Although as a rule, we've given most of the attention to resume development - and rightfully so - the art of cover letter writing has not been as well developed. Until now!

We now understand the importance of writing a good cover letter in getting job interviews. Here's why:

If your cover letter does not catch the reader's attention right away - even before getting to your resume - you have just missed out on an important part of the equation. You MUST get and hold the hiring director's attention right away - within the first critical seconds he or she picks up your cover letter! And so, asking "How do I write a cover letter to get more interviews?" is one of the smartest questions you can have.

To get the attention of your reader, a good cover letter needs the following components:

1) A salutation directed to a real person. In other words, no more "To whom it may concern," or "Dear Hiring Director." Because you now know the importance of cover letter writing to get more interviews, the days of the bland salutation are gone forever!

Instead, you will make sure that you know precisely who your cover letter is going to. Right? Right! And how will you get that information? If it isn't listed in the job posting or otherwise found in your research on the company, you will find it by calling the company and asking!

That's right! It's really that simple. You don't have to worry about a "gate keeper" not allowing you to speak with the person - all you want is the person's name. You can tell the gate keeper that you are just doing the best job you can to ensure that your job application cover letter goes to the right person. All you need is the appropriate person's name, correct spelling (don't forget that one!), and title.

2) Next, you need a hard-hitting, opening statement or a few statements that tell the company exactly why you are the best person for the job. For this example, let's pretend that you want a sales rep position at a computer software firm. Instead of the usual: "Please accept my application for the job posted in yesterday's paper," (which is sure to bore your reader to tears), you want power and conviction in your words!

See how this sounds in comparison: "Your need for an energetic representative to help Ajax Software's sales efforts came through loud and clear to me. Here are 2 primary reasons why I believe I am the perfect candidate for the sales rep position..." and then below, you can explain what those 2 compelling reasons may be!

So, if you have been asking "How do I write a cover letter to get job interviews?" then applying these 2 points alone in your job application cover letter, along with the confidence and knowledge that you have exactly what the company needs will instantly improve your cover letter writing abilities and bring you to the top of the resume heap!

And because you are writing a good cover letter that grabs someone's attention right away, you have already received a "gold star" in the reader's mind and you are one step closer to getting job interviews!


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How about a few more answers to the "How do I write a cover letter?" question? Do you want cover letters that really get more interviews? Then definitely check out the great tips at our "How Do I Write A Cover Letter?" page and when you're ready to write, simply visit www.CoverLetterWriting.net for the ONLY cover letter writing tool you'll ever need. And you'll never again ask "How do I write a cover letter?" Because, you'll HAVE the knowledge!