Do not "cover" but reveal: how can you make your cover letter as efficient as possible

As it is indicated in the title, the cover letter's main purpose is to supplement your resume. This can be achieved by revealing some of those pieces of information about you that can add to the ones already included in your CV and can affirm the future employer to decide in favour of you. Do not forget that the aim is to make positive difference from the others competing for the same position as you are. You can achieve it, in one hand, by giving a personal touch to your letter which reveals the individual behind the resume's factual data. On the other hand, you should also pay attention to the successful targeting of the particular job.

Here are some major guidelines how to raise your chance to win the job you desire:
- Adjust the style and content to the particular job you are applying for. Ready-made blanket covering letters do not make good impression. Your writing should reflect your awareness of both the targeted company's profile and the details of the position.
- Try to avoid duplication. You should only repeat those elements that are important and relevant from the point of view of your application.
- Regard cover letter as a tool to market yourself. When you are pleading your application, your personal qualities can seem just as important as your professional experience.
- The less, sometimes the better, as the saying says. Probably you have better chance with a short but to-the-point cover letter than a lengthy and heavy paper - mainly because it is more likely than they will actually read its content.
- No matter how long your cover letter will finally becomes, some formal requirements are better to kept in view. These are the followings:

First and foremost, make sure your writing is clear and well structured. The best is to organise the content into three parts. After defining the subject (application including the job title or reference number) and the addressee (if you find any reference for that), continue your letter with giving the reason of you writing for the particular company. This paragraph should include the name of the position once again and your source, be it on-line/off-line or personal recommendation (do not forget to indicate the name of the particular person). Go on with the explanation of why you think you fit the job profile by emphasising your soft and hard skills in line with the requirements. (This part should not be longer than 5-8 sentences.) At the end, you should indicate your intention to follow-up on your application, then finish up with expressing your interest in the position once again and with a complimentary close and finally, your name/signature. In case you think other factors (e.g. a planned holiday or business trip) would influence the success of your application, you should inform the future employer about it in the last paragraph. Repeat your direct availabilities (e-mail address, phone number) at the end of the letter. If you do so, you can be sure they can reach you even if your resume gets lost in the ether but, based on your topping cover, you get selected!