Not only will these questions indicate to interviewer if you are right for job, but their answers will indicate to you if job is what you’re looking for. Just as you may not be a perfect fit for all companies, not all companies are a perfect fit for you. Just as you try to sell yourself to a company, a company should try to sell themselves to you. In this case you should ask questions like:

§Are there any plans for a corporate merger or outsourcing initiatives? With mergers and outsourcing often come layoffs. Before accepting a position you may want to be aware of this. Many job seekers are under impression that only unsuccessful companies downsize. That is not always true. §Are promotions based on seniority or accomplishments? Some companies still operate on seniority. No matter accomplishments or lack of accomplishments they are offered advancing positions before a new hire is. You should know that if you put in 110% that you will receive what you are due. §If you could change one thing about how this company functions, what would it be? Not every company functions perfectly and you may want to be aware of where their weaknesses lie.

The interviewer will recognize questions that have been prepared after thoughtful consideration. Take time to determine what is important to you and what you highly value in a company so you can ask appropriate and intelligent questions.

6. REQUEST ONE ACTION you want employer to take: "I would really like opportunity for a personal interview this week." (You never know until you ASK.)

7. END your cover letter with something enthusiastic and telling like, "I look forward to being interviewed at your earliest convenience. Thank you so much for this opportunity." Sincerely, Jane Jobseeker. (Notice how Jane assumes she'll land interview? This is clever, smart, and it works like a charm).

Think of your cover letter as a sales letter. The only purpose of your resume cover letter is to land you more job interviews. That's bottom line. By using proven marketing strategies I've outlined above you will land more quality job interviews than your competition.

You must find a way to get your "foot in company door" to have any chance of landing job. With right cover letter you can blow doors of opportunity wide open. And remember, more job interviews translate to (drum roll please)... more job offers.

Finally, most important advice I can offer you is this: FOLLOW-UP every job lead, contact, and communication. Following up is "golden key" to getting hired for job of your dreams. Use follow-up cover letters, thank you letters, even follow-up phone calls. Following-up can literally double your chance for success. It is also one secret ingredient missing from 99% of every job-seeker's playbook.

Good news for you!