Finding work in today's job market involves competing for jobs with many other people. To be successful in your work search, you will need to use every resource possible to market yourself to potential employers.

Cover Letters
An introduction to your CV, the cover letter is often the first correspondence with potential employers - so make it count! Many employers today won't even look at your CV if you don't submit it with a cover letter.

The cover letter gives you a chance to highlight the most important and relevant accomplishments, skills, and experience listed in your CV. It reflects your personality, your attention to detail, your communication skills, your enthusiasm and your intellect.

Your cover letter and CV are usually all a prospective employer has available to decide whether or not you will reach the next phase in the application process - The interview.

Here are some things to consider when putting your cover letter together:

General Tips
Your cover letter should draw employers to your CV. Don't clutter it with needless facts. Keep it brief - no employer wants to read your life history. Tailor it to the position and company to which you are applying - a cover letter shouldn't be "set-piece."

Open by explaining why you are writing and where you heard about the opportunity - you may want to say something like: "your recent Daily News advert caught my attention." Be sure to say why you think you would be a good match for the position. If the advertisement lists several traits or skills the employer wants to see in job applicants, refer to these skills in your letter and say how you exemplify them. Mention traits that will set you apart from other candidates.

Refer the employer to your CV - "you can see from my CV that I have the experience you are seeking" may be a good way to do so. Experiment with your own wording.

Remember to sign your cover letter.

Have someone you trust review your letter, to make sure it is accurate and "letter-perfect".

CONTENT OF THE COVER LETTER

First Paragraph
This paragraph should be brief, perhaps two or three sentences. State which post you are applying for and how you learned about it. If you have any personal contacts in or with the company, you may want to mention them here - but only if this is appropriate. State your general qualifications for the job.

Body Of The Letter (1 to 3 paragraphs)
Expand upon your qualifications for the position. Pick out the most relevant qualifications listed in your CV and discuss them in detail, demonstrating how your background and experience qualify you for the job. Be as specific as possible, and refer the reader to your CV for additional details.

Concluding Paragraph
This is where you request an interview. State where and when you can be reached, and express your willingness to come to an interview or supply further information. Close by thanking the reader for his or her time and consideration.