Applying for a job and getting hired is quite difficult. If you want to win the position, you have to be very competitive and you have to stand out against a number of applicants. Aside from writing a comprehensive resume, you should also include a good cover letter.

Many job-seekers even overlook the idea of incorporating a cover letter when they send out their job application. They consider this aspect as less important and they have no clue as to how to make the perfect cover letter format.

To give you an idea what a cover letter is and what is the format in making a good one, here are some basic ideas for you to know.

Your letter should have one goal: being as specific as possible. Do not tell your life story as it is completely irrelevant and go straight to the point. Your recruiter will go through hundreds of applications so it does not need to feel like he is wasting his time. Talk about the specific skills and experience necessary for the job you are writing for.

Here are some of the fundamentals of a good cover letter format that you might want to consider when you're creating one.

Be specific and keep your letter short. The most important things that needs to be present in you letter are you characteristics, skills, and related work experience. You don't have to include your family history or even your educational history, since it will be already reflected on your resume. Aside from that, interviewers would not be interested on those things. What they really want to know is that you're a good candidate with exceptional skills required for the position.

You should also show your ambitious side in the cover letter. Tell your recruiter that you are looking forward to a face-to-face meeting so that he can see more of your skills. Be pro-active in your letter, yet polite.

The last thing I'd like to point out is that you need to add a bit of personality in your cover letter. A personal touch is always a good idea in a perfect cover letter format. Don't shy away from showing your potential employer your sense of humour. That very simple thing is often overlooked and can, if used appropriately, deliver wonders.