Many job searchers understand the importance of having a strong CV and devote a significant amount of time (and, in many cases, money) to ensuring that theirs is flawless. However, most job applications, whether online or offline, require the individual to submit a résumé and a cover letter, and it is the cover letter that falls short. If the cover letter is poor, the recruiter is often so turned off that they never look at the perfectly crafted resume. Here are some pointers for writing a successful cover letter:

Keep it Brief

This is a cover letter, not an autobiography. A kind greeting, a few words describing the highlights of your résumé, and a courteous ending asking for an interview are all that is required. Any longer and a recruiter will likely lose interest and move on to the next application on their list.

Never Use a Canned Cover Letter

If you are going to submit a cover letter, take the time to compose one that is tailored to the position you are looking for, rather than the identical message sent to dozens of different potential employers. Human Resources and recruiters can usually see these a mile away, and your application will be rejected right immediately.

Be Cautious of Your Tone

This is a professional letter to another professional, therefore the tone should be professional but comfortable. Don't be witty, overly wordy, or overly complimentary. Most significantly, although confidence is desirable, brashness is not. You want the recruiter to read your cover letter and get the sense that you may be a valuable addition to their company, not that the author lives on Mount Olympus and deigns to work with poor humans!

Proofread

Many job seekers make the mistake of failing to proofread the letter they are sending out. They have worked hard to create a faultless resume, only to spoil it by sending a cover letter that is poorly written and has grammatical and/or spelling errors. Keep vocabulary to a minimum as well, since too much of it will make the recruiter's head spin.