Cover letters - those pesky communiques that baffle and confuse with their formality and importance - might not be so crucial in the New World of job searches. But then again, they might be. Confounded by the contradiction? You're in good company.

Jobs ads in print or online include instructions to fax or email a resume, says Dianne Mau, a national certified career counselor in private practice who is gigging full time at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York.

"[Human resources pros and recruiters] don't want another piece of paper they have to sift through and deal with," Mau says. "They just want to sort through resumes and find their candidates."

Resume scanning technology and online resume collection services often don't allow for cover letters anyway, adds Mau. So employers might never see your well-crafted prose.

How to be the pick of the litter
So how the heck is a candidate supposed to stand out from the pile? Consider, for instance, that only one interview is granted for every 245 resumes, according to authors of The Resume Handbook, (Adams Media Corp., 1996) Arthur D. Rosenburg and David V. Hizer.

One way to clearly set yourself apart is by using keywords in your resume. "Publications are using buzz words to differentiate among resumes," Mau says. Whatever comes out of the scanner is what the HR people follow up on.

Cover letters still have their place, though, so pros like Mau – who's been career counseling for 26 years - still promote the art of writing them.

Some say include the letter
"You should always include a cover letter with your resume," says Ann Hackett, a career consultant since 1997 and president of Quest. Quest is a career transition assistance company providing resume writing services, job interview preparation, and ongoing career transition support.

Including a cover letter shows that you understand the hiring process, conveys a professional image, and entices employers to read your more detailed resume.

Hackett's formula for one-page cover letters:

1. First paragraph
   Indicate the job you are applying for and where you saw or heard about the opportunity.
2. Second paragraph
   Briefly show your qualification by mentioning relevant work experience. Read the job listing to learn what's relevant, and copy that.
3. Third paragraph
   Briefly show your other assets, including appropriate education and certifications. You can also use bulleted formats in paragraphs two and three.
4. Fourth paragraph
   Briefly talk about your personal strengths – your ability to work autonomously and handle excruciating stress, your incredibly clean and beautiful code, or your project management savvy. Whatever strengths will set you apart, include 'em.
5. Final paragraph
   Point employers to your resume. Close by saying how much you're looking forward to an interview and include your signature with your name typed below it.

Thank yous matter
After you've cinched an interview, send a follow-up note. An email, a handwritten or typed snail mail note, or a phone call of thanks is great.

"The most important point is to send a thank you note," Hackett says. "Since few people do, you can really stand out as a candidate by doing so."

And in the end, standing out and getting that boffo job is what it's all about.

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