A cover letter is like the fly that lures the picky trout; it has to catch the eye and entice the reader (your potential boss) to keep reading. And like the fishing fly, it had better have something that attaches it to the fishing rod, or else your trout will swallow it whole and swim right past you.

A well-written, thoughtful cover letter will make your application stand out from the dozens of others that were submitted by hopeful job searchers, and will encourage your potential boss to take a closer look at your resume. It's therefore not just a summary of your resume; a cover letter needs to highlight relevant skills and information in brief that can be explored in depth in your resume, and it needs to let a little of your personality shine through so that you're memorable enough to call in for an interview. It's for this reason that your cover letter cannot - and should never be - a stand-alone document. Like a fishing line ties the fly to the fishing rod, so must your cover letter tie you to your resume.

Cover letters need to be professionally formatted, so make sure to include the date and your employer's address information in the top left corner. Look at the advertisement that you're answering, or look up the name of the person who you are submitting your application to if it is unsolicited. A letter that starts, "Dear Mr. Smith" will be taken more seriously than a, "To Whom It May Concern". Be clear about the reason you are submitting your resume. Are you looking for a full time or part time position, or do you want an internship? Don't forget to mention where you found the advertised job.

Take a second look at the help wanted advertisement that you're answering. What skills and qualities has the company highlighted as essential? Are they looking for someone creative, someone with programming skills, someone with three years of related experience, or someone with familiarity with specific office programs? It is imperative that you tell your potential employer clearly and succinctly why you are the best candidate for the job, but keep in mind that a cover letter is just a teaser. Tell them that you volunteered to design a website and give them the web address for it, but you don't need to tell them exactly what you did and every skill you exercised. You want to give them just enough information to want to read a little further - think of this section of your cover letter as the blurb on the back of the book. There should be just enough information to be intriguing, but not enough to spoil the plot.

Don't forget to refer back to your resume for details about your past experience and an in-depth explorations of your skills, and when you close your letter, it's a good idea to state that you "hope to hear from you soon to book a time for an interview" as a way to demonstrate the depth of your interest.

Finally, you want to be professional, but you also want to let your personality shine through. Don't be afraid to deviate a little from the templates you see online, but remember that the cover letter is making your first impression for you; use correct grammar, spell-check, and be as serious as you'd like to be taken. Your cover letter is the fly that will entice your employer to take a nibble at your resume, and from there, if all goes well, you can real 'em in and land the perfect job!

Learn more about this author, Yvonne Pronovost.
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