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Resume cover letters are extremely important, though many jobseekers don't fully realize it. A well-written cover letter may mean the difference between a serious perusal of someone's resume, and a glance before it enters the circular file.

The most common mistake regarding cover letters (besides plain forgetting to write them!) is using them to duplicate information already in the resume. However, you need a cover letter that expands on and complements your resume.

Imagine sitting at a desk with piles of resumes in front of you. They're all printed on nice, white paper. They all boast of each applicant's skills and objectives.

Many of them have letters, some of which are quite long. Overwhelming, isn't it? Set yourself apart. Write a cover letter that grasps the attention of the reader and gives them several reasons to turn to the next page.

But how do you begin? You can always learn by example. There are many example resume cover letters online. There are examples that cover several different jobs in dozens of different formats. Use your favorite search engine to find them easily.

Don't be afraid to mention the name of someone who has both referred you and is well known to the company or interviewer-- provided you have that person's permission, of course. Employee or networking referrals can go a long way towards ensuring your resume gets considered.

Next, look carefully at the job description, and reference it, applying your skill set in the appropriate places. This is where it can be tempting to simply repeat what's in your resume, but it offers a great chance to go a step further. Use the job description to show the reader how your skills will benefit the company.

"What's in it for me?" Imagine that this is the very question that the interviewer is asking. The interview is more than likely thinking that exact thought when he or she is reading through a bunch of resume cover letters. If you answer well, the interview will be yours!