Jessica Holbrook is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that win interviews. For a free resume analysis visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com/ or for a free phone consultation call 1.800.991.5187.

The main strategy behind a cover letter is that it should be a quick introduction—a prologue, as it were—to introduce yourself and your resume to a potential employer. It should concisely demonstrate that you are a great match for the opportunity for which you are applying and ultimately command the hiring manager’s attention so that he’ll read your resume.

Here are five ways to ensure your resume won’t be read.

1. Write your whole life story in the cover letter.

Don’t bother going overboard with details; keep it short. The hiring manager won’t be willing to invest a lot of time reading your cover letter. Keep it short and to the point.

2. Provide information that is not relevant to the position.

Do not waste time going on and on about experience you have that is NOT relevant to the position. Give the hiring manager specific information about the qualifications he seeks that you already possess. This will pique his interest—rather than lose it.

3. Exclude information they’ve specifically asked you to include.

If they ask for something specific in the job description make sure you include it. Following instructions and acknowledging everything the employer has asked you to address in the job ad not only saves the employer time but makes you look good. I can tell you this from years of experience as a hiring manager; nine out of 10 applicants will fail to address every requirement the employer has listed. (And sometimes, what may seem like an insignificant or unimportant request is actually a little test to see if you are attentive enough to completely follow instructions.)

4. Forget to tell them why you’re the best fit.

Scrutinize the requirements of the position and concisely address how your experience meets the need—or even exceeds it. Be applicable, relevant, and attention getting. But please don’t go overboard with details. The best cover letters will actually make the hiring manager want to read the corresponding resume.

5. Use a boring closing statement.

Feeling daring? Try closing your cover letter with something else besides “best regards” or “sincerely”. Everyone uses those closing statements. But you don’t want everyone to get the job; you want it. So don’t be afraid to try something new. Someone once sent me a cover letter that closed with, “Call today, don’t delay”. I applauded her boldness and just had to call her. The closing was confident, feisty, and it certainly grabbed my attention. Not to mention the entire cover letter addressed everything she brought to the table as a potential employee and how these elements were relevant to meeting our needs.

What I want you to see is that boring the hiring manager with details not relevant to the opening—or not making the most of the space and time you’re getting is really to your detriment. Instead, take the time to write something catchy, relevant, and targeted to the position for which you are applying. Sure, it may take a few extra minutes—but in the end, when you get the interview, won’t it be worth it?

If you’re wondering how your resume is holding up to today’s standards, send it to us for a free resume analysis. Send your resume via e-mail to info@greatresumesfast.com.