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The importance of resume cover letters is often underestimated by jobseekers. A well-written cover letter can mean all the difference in the world, or at least become the deciding factor in whether your resume gets read or cast into the circular file.

Apart from just plain forgetting to write them, one of the most common cover letter mistakes is to use them to duplicate everything you already wrote in the resume. However, you need a cover letter that expands on and complements your resume.

Imagine that you're the one sitting at a desk with piles of resumes to look at. Pretty much all of them are printed on good white paper. All of them are covered in objectives and skills.

Quite a few of them have letters, some of them very long. Does that sound overwhelming? Then set yourself apart. Write a cover letter that grasps the attention of the reader and gives them several reasons to turn to the next page.

So where to start? Look for examples of resume cover letters posted on the internet. You'll find cover letters available for all kinds of different jobs in several different formants. You can find them all by using your favorite search engine.

Of course, if someone well-known to the company or interviewer has referred you and given you permission to use their name in your cover letter, do so! You'll be using the power of networking referrals, which can go a long way in making sure that your resume gets serious consideration.

Next, look carefully at the job description, and reference it, applying your skill set in the appropriate places. It might be tempting to just repeat everything you wrote in your resume, but consider that this is a great chance to go even further. Remember the job description, and tell the readers how your skills will benefit the company.

"What's in it for me?" Imagine that this is the very question that the interviewer is asking. Chances are that's exactly what the interviewer's thinking every time he or she is reading resume cover letters. If you answer well, the interview will be yours!