When submitting a Cover Letter, it would definitely be helpful to include specific information relating to the Hiring Manager. Include some accomplishment or recent quotation from an interview. This will allow you as the applicant to establish an immediate relationship with this individual. It also shows that you are one who has thoroughly researched the potential employer.

Make sure the information you recite is not too political or controversial. The individual may have been disciplined by the employer for such statements and would probably not want to revisit the situation, nor provide an explanation as to why such statements were made.

Social Networking websites may also be a good source of information (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc..). If you decide to use the Social Web for information, do not sound to invasive. Only document that which is “industry-related.”

A Cover Letter should not repeat the same information listed on the Resume/CV.

- TSR Staff

One of the biggest and “most popular” mistakes job seekers make in the Cover Letter is to recite that already expressed on the Resume/CV. This is not a productive technique for a job candidate. To a prospective employer, the Cover Letter should illustrate how one would create added VALUE to the company if given the position.

First, tailor the Cover Letter for a “specific” job position (Never use a “standard format” or template where you only switch names, dates and addresses). A good Cover Letter will make an applicants skills and the job description parallel to one another. This is the VALUE element.

The employer should see an instant contribution from the applicant after reading the Cover Letter. There must be an immediate connection between the following: applicant, specific job position, employer.

TIP: The Cover Letter should not address an applicants desire for change in environment or need for added experience. Both will come across to an employer as being self-centered.