Job Search Letters: Starting with a Template

I did an interview the other day where we discussed targeted cover letters and the importance of writing clear, focused correspondence. The letter that the interviewer asked me about contained a sentence so confusing that I had to read it three times to understand what the writer was attempting to say. If I was a hiring manager, that cover letter wouldn't have helped the applicant get an interview. In fact, the applicant had sent that same letter out over 150 times with no results.

When you're not sure how to get started, reviewing resume and letter samples is a good way to get ideas you can use for your own job search correspondence. You can use Microsoft's cover letter templates or resume templates to get started, but be sure to then target your correspondence so it reflects how your skills are a match for the job.

Also, if you have a resume or letter you're proud of, here's how to submit your resume, CV, or letter to our collection.

Resume and Letter Templates

• Microsoft Letter Templates
• Microsoft Resume Templates
• Letter Templates
• Sample Letters and Resumes