In our continuing career break series with Wendy Enelow says that cover letters are really becoming E letters. She’s authored 20+ resume, cover letter and job search books; runs a careers think-tank disseminating best practices and trends in resumes, career coaching, branding, interviewing, networking, social media, job search and more; and she is hosting the 2010 Career Thought Leaders Conference in Baltimore in March. (download mp3) (1 min)

Great Opportunity for Serious Job Seekers:
2010 Career Thought Leaders Conference & Symposium, Baltimore, MD

Monday, March 22, 2010: Mastering the Art of Resume Writing

Job seekers are more than welcome to register and attend the first day of this 3-day professional conference. Not only will they enjoy 8 hours of intense training and discussion on writing resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, career biographies, thank-you letters and more, they’ll have the opportunity to meet, network with and communicate directly with 100+ of the top resume writers in the country. Quite an opportunity!

JOB SEEKERS INVITED TO RESUME DAY: Re pricing, 1-day registration is currently $425 for career professionals. However, we’re pleased to offer job seekers the opportunity to attend for $350/day (including all meals and materials) since we know how remarkably difficult the employment market and landscape are and we want to encourage them to take advantage of the most unique opportunity. Surround yourself with some of the top career coaches/resume writers in the country. www.careerthoughtleaders.com/conference/

Jane Perdue calls in with a tip on how to writeyour cover letter. 1 minute. Download mp3.

use fresh content on every letter

Check out the rest of our series on how to write cover letters.

Gail Oliver from CareerEco calls in with her cover letter advice. She used to be a resume writer. 1 min 30 sec. Download.

it needs to be very marketing oriented…you need to brag

Frances Cole Jones calls in with a tip on ‘how to wow‘ with your cover letter. 1 minute. Download mp3.

my understanding is that your company needs x, y or z

Check out the rest of our series on how to write cover letters.

Elizabeth Smith from Resume Makeovers calls in with her cover letter tip (30 sec) Download >>

You need to keep the cover letter focused on the employers needs…

Christine Richardson, a university career counselor called in with her cover letter tip. 2 min (download)

Ask yourself, how can you grab the attention of the employer

Check out our entire cover letter audio series.

Brad Kaunitz from 360jobinterview.com called in with this tip.

(download mp3) 2 minutes

Bullet points are definitely your friend

Marshall Backlar called in about the purpose of a cover letter. (download mp3) 2 min

Got a comment, question or tip? call it into our comment line at (888) 645-1637

August Cohen calls in with a great ip about formatting your cover letter. 30 sec (download mp3)

One listener also wrote in:

My name is Janet Ruck. I am the co-author of the recently published book – “Guide to America’s Federal Jobs”. I am a career coach with experience in the private and federal sectors.

What is the best way to craft a cover letter? The most important thing to remember about a cover letter is that it markets your resume, which markets you. A cover letter gets your resume read – a resume gets you an interview – an interview gets you a job.

There are no generic cover letters: You need to spend time targeting your cover letter to the job that you are applying for.

A cover letter is divided into 3 main sections:
1. Introduction – the first paragraph tells the reader how you learned about the position.
2. Body – provides some specifics about your skills and qualifications for the job
3. Closing – what action you are seeking, usually this is where you request an interview

Always remember who your reader is: the person who will be interviewing you for a job. Write for this reader – what does he or she need to know about you to interest him/her to read your resume?

Remember the “WIIFM: What’s In It for Me?” from the perspective of the reader and ultimately the interviewer. What do you have to offer that will benefit the employer?

If you remember to market yourself from the point of view of the reader, your cover letter will get your resume read which, in turn, will get you the interview, which is how you get the job!

Anne Follis from Career Happy called in with some good tips on how to start your cover letter. (1 min) (download mp3)

Got a comment, question or tip? call it into our comment line at (888) 645-1637