One Cover Letter Secret You Cant Afford To Miss

Suppose you were the hiring manager, your desk piled high with cover letters and resumes to sort through. Which of the following cover letter greetings would grab your attention?

Example #1:

Dear Sirs: Dear Sir/Madam: Dear Gentlemen: To whom it may concern:

Example #2:

Dear Manager: Dear HR Director: Dear Human Resources:

Example #3:

Dear Mrs. Thomas: Dear Mr. Friedman: Dear Sally Williams:

Clearly Example #3 is the best of the bunch because the job-seeker has taken time to find out your name and to spell it correctly.

Consider how you'd feel if you received a cover letter that said Dear Sir or Madam, or worse yet, 'To whom it may concern.' No one will be concerned if you address your cover letter to no one in particular!

Remember, there is nothing as sweet to the ear as the sound of ones name.

Exercise this simple secret and your cover letter will rise to the top of the pile!

"But I don't know who to address my cover letter to!"

If you don't have this information, take time to get it. Call the company. For jobs posted online this may be a challenge. But still, go the extra mile. Then at the very least address your letter to the appropriate entity. Example: Hiring manager; HR Director; etc.

Secret Tip For Emergency Situations

If the name is unavailable, use one of the greetings in Example #2 and add this personal note.

Please Note: I'm sorry for this impersonal greeting on my cover letter. I was unable to get your name online. However, I look forward to the opportunity to meet you in person so I can address you by name and discuss this job opening. I am highly interested in working for {company name}.

This one-two punch would surely grab someone's attention. You are showing your respect and more important, that you care.

This secret tip alone quickly turns a potential negative into a positive that could make the difference between acceptance and rejection.

The bottom line: When you target your cover letter to a specific person by name, you greatly increase your chances of landing the interview, and ultimately the job you desire.

So before you write your next cover letter, ask yourself this essential question: Who, specifically, will be concerned about what I have to say in this cover letter? That person has a name and it sure isn't, "To whom it may concern!"

Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the new, "Amazing Cover Letter Creator." Jimmy has written several career-related books and his unique articles are always a job-seeker favorite. Who else wants their phone ringing off the hook with more quality job interviews? Visit Jimmy on the web right now at http://www.Amazing-Cover-Letters.com for your 'instant' cover letter today.

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php%3Fid%3D370902cid=1274028095ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNFvuC7bLCA997oiQSb-AJijBAFH-gRecession-proof your bcareer/b - bEmployment/b expert offers job b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMyWebTimes.com,nbsp;ILnbsp;-/font nobrNov 23, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b understandable to be concerned about bemployment/b, there are steps workers can take to help them be more indispensable and “recession-proof” their bcareer/b. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.weehawkenreporter.com/pages/home_top_section/push%3Farticle--B-Scared-about-your-job-prospects-B-BR-%2520%26link%3Dpush::target_page%26id%3D732662--B-Scared-about-your-job-prospects-B-BR-%26instance%3Dup_to_the_minute%2520lead_story_left_columncid=1276957067ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNGqXZfgUkEpDQ3blOjcfsx5oKo3NQScared about your job prospects?/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fWeehawken Reporter,nbsp;NJnbsp;-/font nobr2 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1They say you will “learn how to save your job, conduct a successful job search, or change bcareers/b! Ethan Chazin, professional bcareer/b coach and bemployment/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Research-Markets-Personnel-Economics-Practice/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257BAB786A5C-4D9B-4ED1-8D38-F41F8BF753C6%257Dcid=1276881571ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNG7OjS5aDtL6SjXcJ9s9_yEJXvm0QResearch and Markets: Personnel Economics in Practice, 2nd Edition b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr9 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1bCareer/b-Based Incentives. 12. Employee Stock Options amp; Executive Pay. Applications. 13. Benefits. 14. Entrepreneurship amp; Intrapreneurship. 15. The bEmployment/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.kbtx.com/state/headlines/35410259.htmlcid=0ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNFtDQljVyNUXWnNdOwqPAMIEAox_gTexasTexas Motor Transportation Association Launches New b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fKBTX,nbsp;TXnbsp;-/font nobr32 minutes ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b will function as a clearinghouse where professionals can post a resume, search job availabilities and learn about possible bcareers/b. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.jobjournal.com/thisweek.asp%3Fartid%3D2523cid=0ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNHysteEDs7oYtLewMJGYtk4rnoosQNonprofit bCareer/b Paths/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fCalifornia Job Journal,nbsp;CAnbsp;-/font nobrDec 1, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By Commongood bCareers/b Today’s nonprofit sector is growing faster than ever. In fact, Independent Sector.org reports that nonprofit bemployment/b has doubled to b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.javajournalonline.com/articles/art_careeroverhaul_122008.phpcid=0ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNFfVQQ2744hPD7HA7smuEVAyZ3Q3gbCareer/b Overhaul or a simple tune-up/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fJava Journal,nbsp;Missourinbsp;-/font nobrDec 1, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Galan: Do you have bemployment/b assistance services after graduation such as resume building and job placement? Peterman: Yes, we offer these services. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/Work/article/148404cid=1276317808ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNFQbWHBdqHL5PXb2OSh9nmLBc8S1gSecond bCareer/b options for laid-off workers/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMetro Canada - Toronto,nbsp;Canadanbsp;-/font nobrNov 30, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1For more information on how to apply to Second bCareer/b visit an bEmployment/b Ontario assessment centre, or call 1-800-387-5656 or visit the website: b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html%3Fid%3Da0b76fac-1990-4d66-86a7-4462ac8a1c1fcid=1275549878ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNEhOMh4Stshx6czmNYa6Hyjex5b3wLiberals, NDP rush to fill positions in ministers#39; offices/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fCanada.com,nbsp;Canadanbsp;-/font nobr13 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1But some well-qualified potential employees could prove to be uninterested because the Federal Accountability Act would narrow their bcareer/b prospects after b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D1624:tackling-career-issues-3%26catid%3D89:learning%26Itemid%3D276cid=0ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNF5W1o0l-683cf96UQJUvJKZuRRIgTackling bcareer/b issues (3)/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fBusinessDay,nbsp;Nigerianbsp;-/font nobr22 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Whilst a few conventional opportunities might recede for those who choose entrepreneurship, it’s likely that any experience of self-bemployment/b will be of b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.dobmagazine.nickles.com/article.asp%3Farticle%3D%255Cdob%255C081201%255Cdob2008_d10005.htmlcid=0ei=q8s1SdjkK5nK8ATKzPGbAwusg=AFQjCNHpI_TUkvqyO-Zl52OCH1VlnbppzAFlexpipe Systems Announces bEmployment/b Opportunities/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fNickle's Energy Group,nbsp;Canadanbsp;-/font nobrDec 1, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Field Sales amp; Service Representative (Grand Prairie and area) These are ideal opportunities for anyone looking to develop their skills and bcareer/b and be b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
careers employment - Google News

CV Writing ? How to Write a CV

A winning CV has 2 objectives: To illustrate... Read More

Dynamic Interviewing Practices

The pre-hiring process can be a challenge. If you're reading... Read More

Im just me - An Overview of an Web er.. Designer, Developer, Consultant and Friend

I am going to give you a breakdown of my... Read More

In a Rut? Ready for a Career Change?

Are you unhappy at work? Tired and lacking energy and... Read More

How To Conduct A Successful Job Search Campaign

1.Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most... Read More

So You Want A Promotion - What Do You Need To Do To Get the Champagne Corks Popping?

The champagne corks have been popping to celebrate your promotion.... Read More

Who Should Write Your Resume?

This is a question we get a lot. It seems... Read More

Job Search: The End of the Line

There is an end to the job search tunnel!It has... Read More

So, What Do You Do For Work?

I remember being asked this question a lot when I... Read More

Find Those People

"The Emperor's New Clothes" was a favorite childhood story of... Read More

Create a Network and Catapult Your Job Search

Networking is still known as a great job-search strategy, yet... Read More

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? Something That Hasnt Been Invented Yet!

Most of us were brought up to study hard, get... Read More

An Unexpected Career Direction

My starting point was how to draw on 25 years... Read More

Is Your Career Your Calling or Just a 9 to 5?

Do you remember your parents asking you what you want... Read More

Avoid Potential Job Interview Disasters

There are definitely things that you can do to avoid... Read More

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone in the Job Search

Most everyone these days knows what a comfort zone is.... Read More

What Do You Want From Life?

The tragedy for millions of people is that they never... Read More

How to Create a Great Electronic Resume

After creating the perfect resume, you then need to distribute... Read More

Job Interviews: How to Answer the How Do You Handle Stressful Situations? Question

When answering the "How do you handle stressful situations?" question... Read More

How to Walk Away from an Opportunity thats Wrong for You

Q. I just finished a job interview. Everything went well.... Read More

Unemployment Survival: Taking Back Control

One of the most emotionally crippling aspects of unemployment is... Read More

I Just Lost My Job: How Am I Going To Tell My Kids?

One of the responsibilities of a human resources professional is... Read More

Overcome Interview Nerves: Be Better Prepared than Your Interviewer

Although interview preparation is everything it's sad to say that... Read More

Occupational Health and Safety - Stress and Workaholism at Work

There has been a lot of hullabaloo recently about the... Read More

20 Questions That Helped Me Take A Leap Of Faith And Change Careers

When I was working more than 45 hours a week... Read More