Using a cover letter template when job hunting is a logical and time saving measure. Your time is limited, so writing one basic one and using it as your template will simplify the application process, making you more efficient and hopefully employed all that much faster.

A basic template can be either bulleted sometimes called an Executive Summary or in paragraph form. The paragraph form of cover letter template is more traditional and preferred by many for the neat appearance it presents. Since hiring managers are busy however, the bulleted format does have advantages. This cover letter template allows you to make quick changes in the emphasis you are placing on your skills in case there is more than one type of job for which you are applying.

A good bulleted template will begin with the date, address and salutation. Then it should reference the position applied for. Open the template itself with a short paragraph highlighting your primary qualification, such as years of experience, and state that you can make a strong contribution to the company. Then back up what youve said with at least two bullet point paragraphs, each listing some of the key qualifications that your resume lists. Youve heard the old saying tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them. This is the place for that.

Your last paragraph should be upbeat and point out that you can make valuable contributions to the organization, list your contact phone number again, and thank the reader for his or her time.

A good template emphasizes the contributions the applicant can make to the prospective employer. Employers dont really care about what you want, they care about what you can do for them, and your cover letter template and resume should reflect that truth.

An alternative to the bulleted template is the standard paragraph formatted cover letter template. It begins as the bulleted one does, with the date, salutation and standard formal correspondence protocols. It will then have three or four paragraphs in block format that point out your years of experience, education and other qualifications in the first paragraph, followed by the second paragraph where you state your desire to join the organization. The third paragraph should go into more detail concerning experience and qualifications. For instance, stating that your skills are in personnel supervision, or in operations management. List a recent accomplishment in this paragraph to back up your earlier words. In the last paragraph point out the obvious it never hurts. Let the reader know that your resume is enclosed and you would like to meet with him soon to exchange ideas. State that you will call him in the next few days if you feel it appropriate, otherwise restate your contact phone number and email address and your availability to meet. End it with your signature and the word enclosure.

This cover letter template also emphasizes what the applicant can do for the company by citing experience. If you follow either of these listed here you should have good success.

Heres a tip for cover letters to get more interviews. Use a bulleted format cover letter rather than a standard letter in paragraphs. The bulleted format is more eye catching, and is more likely to be glanced at by the hiring manager or other person assigned to sort through resumes. This format will help you get your resume seen by more people and as a result get more interviews and more job offers.

If you follow this advice and decide to use the bulleted format, make sure that each bullet point specifies a reason for the hiring manager to talk with you. This reason can be your number of years experience, your education, a personality trait that you have, or an accomplishment.

Examples of bulleted points would be:

Over 20 years experience in Human Resource Management.
Or
Outstanding work ethic. Lead by example.
Or
Master of Science in Education. Currently enrolled in Doctorate program.
Or
Saved last employer 30,000 in revenue through modernization of accounting system.
Or
Increased sales by 25% last quarter.

This bulleted format allows you to toot your own horn, but in a way that does not seem egotistical because it is obviously part of a resume package.

Another tip that will increase the readability of your cover letter is to use bold faced fonts on occasion to emphasize points you want read. Bold face catches the eye, and is a common device used by graphic designers in advertising copy. Your resume and cover letter are marketing tools for you, just as a print media advertising piece is a marketing tool for a business. Consider using bold face as tip from the Fortune 500 ad agencies that you can use without charge.

The next piece of advice to consider concerns the final paragraph of the letter, and will help you in your follow up efforts. When following up often times the hardest thing to do is to get past the gatekeeper. The secretary or administrative assistant that screens calls for his or her boss has an important job to do, but so do you, and reaching the decision maker will make you look good. The gatekeeper will try to stop you if the decision maker is busyafter all, he has better things to do with his time than speak with job seekers. So, in the final paragraph of your letter, before the sincerely and your name, simply state I will call you next week to check on a convenient time to speak with you in person. Youve told the hiring manager you will be calling. Logically he should be expecting your call. For this reason you may tell the gatekeeper that Mr. HR Manager is expecting my call this week. This will increase your chances of getting through, and of getting the interview. This tip is a variation on techniques that good business-to-business sales people use, and will work for you as well, bringing you more interviews and more job offers.