With the job market at it’s worst for the jobless right now, the competition has peaked to an all-new high. Every job is in the hands of the employer, and they currently hold all the cards. You need to do anything and everything you can to have someone look at your resume, and to land that first interview. A great way to start getting ahead of the pack is to perfect your cover letter writing skills.

Many people spend a huge chunk of time honing and perfect their resume. While this is extremely important, some employers will not even bother to look at your resume unless your cover letter is a) present and b) perfect.

When it comes to applying for a job, you have to present the most perfect version of yourself on paper, and then later in person. Employers know that we all have flaws and make mistakes, but first impressions will never cease to be important. No matter how driven and talented you may be, spelling errors and typos will certainly stick out if one of your skills is listed as “Great attention to detail.”

The cover letter is the best way of setting yourself apart from all of the other applicants. Some people will not even bother to include a cover letter; by having one, you have already kicked them out of the race. Anything and everything you can do to set yourself apart from the other contenders is beneficial to your chances. The cover letter shows a side of you that is not possible to show in a bullet-pointed resume.

What a Cover Letter Allows You to Say

This short letter is where you get to establish your own voice. You want to write in your own words, and use your standard, yet professional diction. A letter is much more of a conversation than a declarative list. The employer is being introduced to you the first time, and you want to make an outstanding impression. By eliciting a favorable opinion in your cover letter, the bullet points on your resume will merely be bonus points, as long as you are qualified for the job.

You can share your life experiences and their relevance to this job position, while also showing that you are a real person, rather than a mass-produced robot. Many people these days are rapidly emailing their resumes to potential employers as their main job-hunting technique. While this is a really great way to get your name out there, if you do not include a cover letter, your name can just as easily be forgotten or crossed off the list.

If you are submitting your resume in person, you should bring a cover letter with you, though it may not be completely necessary to hand it over to the employer. Depending on the type of meeting or interview, you may decide that the cover letter is redundant, especially if the interviewer is taking notes throughout your meeting. If, however it is a short meeting, or the person you meet with is not responsible for hiring, you should always include your cover letter. You want each person who touches your resume to get the positive first impression and personal touch that you are trying to portray in your cover letter.

Not Having a Cover Letter

Excluding a cover letter says quite a few things to the employer. Firstly, is shows that you are probably lazy. Whether you are skilled at writing or not, you can always find help with writing a cover letter, through many different online sources. Secondly, it leaves employers wondering if you are capable of writing the cover letter at all, with or without outside help. Neither of those situations will land you an interview.

When writing your cover letter, there are quite a few things you want to keep in mind. Remember that you are speaking to someone who may be one day signing your paycheck so stay professional, and only include relevant information. Remain positive throughout the entire letter and never include negative information about past jobs, employers, or experiences. Keep it as compelling and concise as possible, and do not let any spelling, grammar, or typographical errors slip by unnoticed, because the reader will almost certainly notice them.

Show that you know a little bit about the company or the industry in general, and explain your desire for the company. Your resume will be able to show why you are right for the job, but your cover letter should show why the job is right for you, while also showing that it is easy to get along with you. You want them to read it and think, “Hey, I’d like to work with this person on a daily basis.”

Cover letters are just as important as resumes, and are more likely to provide a favorable first impression than resumes are. Do not underestimate the power of a good cover letter when searching for a job, because employers will certainly not overestimate your potential as an employee.