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Linda Matias -- The job search can be a bumpy road, and anything you can do that will make the selection process for an interviewer easier, you should. That's a sure-fire way to make your resume standout from the rest of the candidate pool.

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A cover letter should be pasted in the body of an email as opposed to sending it as an attachment. As a general rule, the letter should be short. This is to ensure that the content is read. If the information you want to convey is too long, the interviewer will most likely skip the letter all together and simply read the resume. And if your cover letter has valuable information you want to share (which it should) then you won't get the most out of your missive.

Though a letter to an employer should always be concise, that isn't to say that you should write something as limited: "I saw your ad on Awesome Job Board, and am submitting my cover letter and resume for your consideration."

Besides being too generic, the aforementioned message is too boring, and doesn't relay relevant information the interviewer should know. As a guideline, the length of the cover letter should be two hundred words where a traditional cover letter runs from three hundred to four hundred words.

Two hundred words is enough information to dangle the carrot, as the saying goes. The recommendation for the email cover letter breakdown looks like this:

1) Impart where you heard about the open position, whether that was in a newspaper, online, or a referral.
2) Let the interviewer know the reasons the position caught your eye. This information is important so that the reader gets the impression you are interested in working for them, and that you're not just applying willy-nilly.
3) Thank the interviewer for his or her time and provide contact information. This means your phone number as well.

That is quite a bit of information to include in such a short letter so be sure that you tighten your language. Otherwise, the letter will run too long. It may take a couple of drafts until you get it done right, but it is in your best interest to do so.

To make the process as easy as possible, I wrote a sample email cover letter you can use a guide. Remember, it is simply a model and you can feel free to mix it up a bit to ensure the letter works in your favor.

Example email cover letter

Throughout the years as a customer service representative, I have gained experience in several core competencies: client management, follow-through techniques, and proper phone skills. As a result, I am confident I qualify for the open position posted on Awesome Job Board. Since I am interested in long-term employment, I reviewed your company's brochure and website to find information about your products and services. I am impressed by the enthusiasm and innovation of your team, and I believe I would be a great asset to your department. My resume is attached for your review. Feel free to contact me at (phone) or (email) to set up an interview.

Parting thoughts

The job search can be a bumpy road, and anything you can do that will make the selection process for an interviewer easier, you should. That's a sure-fire way to make your resume standout from the rest of the candidate pool.

Linda Matias is a Nationally Certified Resume Writer who heads CareerStrides.com. You can contact Linda Matias at linda@careerstrides.com or visit her website http://www.newyorkresumewriter.careerstrides.com for additional career advice and to view resume samples.

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