The AIDA formula is as old as dirt. It was taught when I was in school over a decade ago. And it's still being taught for good reason - it works! When you apply it to your cover letter, it has power to transform a regular cover letter into an attention-grabbing "Killer Cover Letter" that'll make your phone ring off hook.

AIDA is an acronym. It stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. It describes process marketers want to take their prospect through in order to make a sale.

In this case, prospect is hiring manager and you're selling yourself in sense that you want hiring manager to contact you for an interview. So I'm going to show you how to grab hiring manager's attention, create interest, arouse desire, and ultimately get him or her to take action (pick up phone and call you for an interview).

By way, I've tested this killer "System" so I know it works. Ready to get started? Then let's go.

Attention

The first thing you need to do is grab reader's attention. You must get reader's attention before he or she can become interested and desirous of your offer to come in for an interview. We're all busy and we all have several things going on in our lives. So how do you cut through clutter and grab reader's attention?

There are several ways actually. One way is to create an attention-grabbing opening sentence or headline as copywriters call it. Think of it like headlines in newspapers and magazines. You choose which articles to read by quickly glancing at headlines, don't you?

DES MOINES, IA, March 21- As spring breezes in it brings a foreshadow of summer and job hunters begin to polish their skills. That’s right, it’s job-hunting season. Graduating seniors are hopefully anticipating life after a diploma and students “in progress” will be looking for experience and something to fill those three months of classroom freedom.

Looking for jobs in school’s off-season has been known to be a job in itself. It can be very difficult to land a job in summer because of competition there is to face. However, year-round workers may be asking for more time off in summer. The work is out there; it just takes time and effort to find it.

If you haven’t started already, now would be a good time to begin collecting applications or sending out resumes. Apply to more than just a few places; your odds will naturally increase. Be sure to include jobs that you may have career interest in. If you are interested in contracting or engineering, look for a construction job. If you are interested in exercise science or fitness, look for a lifeguarding job. Experience will give you an advantage down road. Begin networking with family and friends; it is often luck and who you know that will land you a job. Do not be afraid to tell people you are looking for a job.

Submit your applications and resume as early as April and no later than mid-May. If you begin to look for a summer job at end of May or beginning of June your job hunt becomes more difficult and you might end up with no job at all. One area that may still be hiring is agriculture; as crops get ready for harvesting these positions will pick up. Another option…fast food. It is not very popular, but it is consistently hiring. Remember to be flexible and creative, you will not find perfect job at this point in your career.