Fresh impressions are very important when applying for a job. They are what will give you an advantage over other competitors. When your resume cover letter leaves a bad taste in your mouth, employers are more likely to simply move on to the next applicant. Therefore, it is really imperative that you win them over fast and with just a brief glance at your cover letter.

What are the best tips on how to write a cover letter? For one, a cover letter should be short and to the point. No one wants to read a lengthy narrative of one’s grades, especially at work. The workplace is a busy place and you need to be considerate enough not to take up too much of the employer’s time.

And it goes without saying that a short letter is also a simple letter. Don’t overwhelm the reader with unnecessary jargon, big words, and things that are too personal. Stay focused on your qualifications and why you think you are qualified for that position more than anyone else. If you take the time to read a few good internet cover letter samples, you’ll notice that they all share one thing in common: they’re all short, no more than one page, and have no room for superfluous narrative.

Another characteristic of cover letter templates is that they are addressed to a specific person. When looking for a job, you should do a lot of research on the job you are applying for. This includes the company and the people who work there. Mentioning the right person’s name in your cover letter will give the idea that you’ve really done your research and don’t just view the company as “one among the rest.”

Also, you need to let your personality shine through, while remaining professional and cool-headed. Nobody wants to hire a robot that only works for money. Your words should show your enthusiasm and how eager you are to land that job. Some say it’s not easy to combine professionalism and enthusiasm in one award. But that’s not true. If anything, they make a great combination because a true professional is someone who is truly passionate about their work. Say something like, “I am excited about the opportunity to join XYZ Company. I believe my skills and positive outlook in life would be a great asset to her.”

There is no better way to exercise professionalism than to avoid fatal errors such as misspellings, typos and obvious grammatical errors. Not only do they create a bad impression about you, but they also completely turn the reader off. An error-filled resume cover letter means you’re sloppy and just don’t care.

Lastly, always make sure you are selling yourself from start to finish. The best way to stand out from the crowd is to highlight your qualifications and make them seem too valuable to be taken for granted. Make sure that every line, every sentence speaks to how amazing you can be when you finally get that job.