A well-crafted cover letter could be your golden opportunity to catch the eye of decision-makers. A cover letter is a unique opportunity to describe facts about you that you might not include in a resume.

A cover letter allows you to express why you are interested in the position, what qualifies you, and more personal attributes that show you are the ideal candidate for this job.

Think of it as a sales tool for your resume. Using the proper format and style allows you to get—and keep—the hiring manager’s and potential employer’s attention when competing against dozens or hundreds of other applicants.