If you have ever had the opportunity to sift through a number of resumes, you probably noticed the importance of writing a good cover letter. This is a job seeker’s chance to catch a potential employer’s attention, making him or her want to read on to the actual resume.

You have probably heard the expression about making a good impression. Well think of your cover letter as your chance to make a good, eye-catching, lasting impression. So when you are writing your cover letter, you need to spend a bit of time on it and put some thought into what you actually want to say. Many people struggle with this part of the resume process because you essentially have to sell yourself. So here are a few pointers you can follow to make writing your cover letter a little easier.

1. Take the time to customize your cover letter for the position you are applying for. Pay close attention to whom the cover letter is being addressed. You would make a terrible first impression if you addressed the cover letter to the wrong person.
2. Keep your cover letter at an appropriate length. A general rule to follow is to keep it under one page. Any longer and you may risk putting the reader to sleep.
3. Point out your top selling points as they relate to the job position and job description. If the job description calls for strong computer skills, describe the computer skills that you do have to offer.
4. Begin your cover letter with a strong opening statement. One of the most common mistakes people make is beginning their cover letter with the statement “Please consider me for the position.” Chances are a statement such as this will not grab your reader’s attention.
5. Reference the job that you are applying for in the cover letter since the person reading the letter may be receiving applications for multiple positions.
6. End your cover letter on a strong note. Indicate to the reader that you will touch base with them again in a few days for a follow-up.
7. Be polite in your cover letter. Thank the reader for taking the time to read it.
8. Last of all, make sure you sign your cover letter (of course, this is not etiquette if you are sending a cover letter via e-mail).