Getting ahead of the pack is essential for job-seekers.

As the first item an employer sees, an exceptional cover letter can give applicants an important leg up over on their peers. It’s this peek into your personality that can encourage an employer to continue on to your résumé.

The key is to avoid being generic, keep it short and avoid clichés, said Candice Russell, a senior recruiter for Another Source, a Seattle-based employment referral service.

When addressing a cover letter, generic titles like “Sir” and “Miss” should be avoided.

“Addressing an actual person shows that you have done your research and taken initiative to find out information about the company,” Russell said.

Applicants should tailor the letter to fit each company. A letter that sounds like it was sent to several employers without change can turn some hiring managers off.

Writing a new letter each time is not necessary, but choosing a few sentences to tweak for each employer is key, said Patrick Chidsey, a senior career counselor at the UW Career Center. For example, mentioning a name can personalize your letter.

“If you have a mentor or professor, or even a friend that had an internship with this company and recommended you to them, make sure you include that in your letter,” Chidsey said.

Russell said this information should appear in the first paragraph. The opening section should also include your interest in the company and why you would be a competitive candidate.

In the second paragraph, you should sell yourself, Russell said. Discuss internships, projects and other experiences that have sustenance.

The third paragraph places the ball back in your court. Don’t just leave it at “this is me,” Russell said.

“Saying that you will follow up at this day and time, and then actually doing it, sets you apart and shows initiative,” she added.

Russell said three paragraphs, especially at the college level, should do it.

Don’t bring up your weaknesses in a cover letter, Chidsey said, but do mention something you want to work on. Also, avoid clichés when describing yourself.

“You don’t want to say, ‘My weakness is that I work too hard, and I have to finish everything.’… They’ve heard it all before,” Chidsey said.

There are several places both on and off campus that can help students compose a cover letter. The Career Center holds daily, drop-in advising hours between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in Mary Gates Hall. Chidsey suggests all applicants have their cover letters proofread; even a small grammatical or spelling error can stick out in an employer’s mind and hinder your chances of getting hired.

The Career Center distributes a career guide known as the Gold Guide, which has example cover letters, example résumés and other resources inside.

Taking steps to perfect your cover letter can make a difference to help you get the job.

“You have to do what you can that will set you apart,” Chidsey said.