If you want to get hired, you need to get job interviews…as many as you can. So, what’s the hands-down, single-most-effective-way to get job interviews? Write well-structured, catchy cover letters…honestly, this is no joke.

Statistics show that even hiring managers from very small companies – on average – get more than 50 applications for each advertised job. Hiring managers from high profile mid-to-large size companies get hundreds of applications for each advertised job. Lucky for you, the vast majority of the applications – even from qualified job seekers – include ho-hum cover letters that are treated like must-include-but-not-that-important additions rather than what they are – the hiring manager’s first impression of the job candidate.

This is good news for the minority of job applicants who realize the importance of well-structured, well-written cover letters. These applicants use their letters to snag the hiring manager’s attention and to get job interviews. Their cover letters highlight experience in a personal way. They make it clear the applicant understands the job responsibilities, has researched the company, and believes he is a great match. The successful job applicant uses the cover letter to show why hiring him benefits both the company and applicant – he uses it to show the win-win – and therefore, to get job interviews.

Okay, so cover letters are important if you want to get job interviews. How do you write one?

The first step is to Google “write a cover letter” or any variation thereof. Hundreds, if not thousands, of very good articles have been written on the subject. Don’t read just one. Read 5-10. Look for specific suggestions rather than general ideas. Look for good-bad cover letter comparisons. Keep reading until you’re itching to start writing. Get to work on your cover letter, and then put it away for a day or two. Read and revise before mailing or hitting send. You’d be surprised at the mistakes you’ll find when you read with fresh eyes.

If you’ve read the how-to articles and have tried your hand at writing your cover letters, but are unhappy with the result, take heart. There are many resources to help you – from for-hire cover writing services to downloadable, interactive software products that help you create cover letters guaranteed to get you job interviews. The price for these services is reasonable – usually $40 to $75 – and well worth the investment if you’re serious about getting a new job and improving your life.

So, now that you’re written a great cover letter and received calls for the job interviews, what’s next? The successful job seeker learns how to prepare for and handle the job interview. Again, look to the internet if you’re not a seasoned interviewee…but that’s a topic for another post.

Best of luck writing catchy cover letters to get job interviews! Time to get to work…your future is waiting!

Dede Perkins says “Want to learn more about writing amazing cover letters that will get you the job interviews you crave? Check out http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-write-the-best-cover-letter for more articles and resources.”

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