1. Customize your cover letter and résumé to the specific job. Don’t try to write one version that fits all jobs and all employers. If you’re serious about landing that job, you’ve got to be serious about showing a prospective employer you’ve taken time to include what they want to see about you and what you’re going to be able to do for them.

Select words from the job description and include them in your cover letter and résumé. For example, if the description calls for a motivated self-starter and you are one, use those words to introduce yourself and your capabilities. These “key words” will allow automated word searches to more easily find you.

2. Do your homework. Research the company you’re interested in by looking at their website, press releases, news articles and stock information. Use your cover letter to show the employer that you know something about the company or the industry.

Include the human resources contact or hiring manager’s name on the cover letter if possible. If you don’t know it, call the company and ask. Everyone likes to be referred to by name; just don’t refer to the person by his or her first name.

3. Focus on the future. While it’s important to include what you’ve done in the past, a résumé is also a chance to highlight the skills you can bring to a job. At the top of your résumé following your name, address and contact information, you can add a section called Key Skills and Attributes to highlight the things that differentiate you from other candidates.

4. Remember the basics. Given the limited amount of time a hiring manager or recruiter will take to look at your résumé, you want to make sure the information gives the best possible impression.

• Be honest. You must have the skills and experience you say you have.
• Quantify your experience. Describe specifically how you have increased sales, improved efficiencies or reduced costs with your company.
• Keep your cover letter and résumé concise and focused. Use bullet points, where appropriate, instead of large blocks of text.
• Be professional. Avoid using personal information, casual language or industry jargon that could be confusing.
• Make sure there are no typos or inaccuracies. Even one mistake can put your résumé in the “do not interview” pile.
• Don’t include personal hobbies and interests unless they relate specifically to the job.
• Be consistent with formatting. Don’t use stylized fonts or a variety of fonts and sizes. Make sure the overall look is readable.
• Save your file as a pdf. This will preserve the formatting and make it easy for others to open.

Your cover letter and résumé help employers know if they even want to interview you. Give them every reason to say “yes” to that important question.

Tami Witt is a freelance writer, coach and communications consultant.
Contact her at tjwitt@assetcommunication.com.