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In 1995, one man, Craig Newmark, decided to create an online community with free classified ads. There are many categories available at Craigs List, such as personals, community, employment, for sale, services available, bartering, help wanted, items wanted, and a multitude of topics located within the forums. What started as a United States community only has now grown into a community prominent in more than three hundred cities across the globe.

This means that there are many people looking for a job, just like you, right on the same website, craigs list. Now, usually when go to apply for a job in person, you may have to make yourself stand out against maybe, what two to three other people? On craigs list, you have to stand out among hundreds of applicants, all fighting for the same position. This article is about providing you with tips you can use to ensure you are noticed, when applying for a position using this online community.

Cover Letter

Your cover letter must draw the employer's attention IMMEDIATELY. If do not include cover letters, make sure you do. Nine out of ten employers will look at the cover letter first and make the decision directly from that rather you are worth any more of their time. Make your cover letter unique and personable. Do not follow the same trends as everyone else. Give them three key points that makes you a qualified for their position, make it interesting.

Investigate the company

Find out exactly what they do, what they are looking for, and what industry they are most involved in, then create your cover letter around those aspects. Let the company know what your experience is in the areas they operate and how you can better their company with your knowledge and expertise. Again, you must give them a reason to consider you among hundreds of other applicants.

Use relaxed language, but not too relaxed

Do not try to exaggerate your self-image. While you want to sell your self, you want to sell the real you. If you have only had one job, say so and tell the prospective employer what you did to boost the business image, sales, or profit. Again, yes it bears repeating, tell the company how you can help them, what you can do for their company, and how your experience shows a proven track record.

Just a few key reminders

These things should be a given, however, they are sometimes forgotten in the haste of trying to apply on craigs list quickly.

Remember that craigs list operates online, which means you are going to be emailing the potential employer, most likely. Your cover letter does not need to be an attached word document. Type your cover letter right in the body of the email; this makes it more personable and right in front of the readers face. They will have no choice but to read at least part of it.

Another aspect to remember while using craigs list, is to put the advertisement title directly in the subject heading of the email. Employers get tons of emails on a daily basis, not only from applicants but from clients and other such business associates. If you fail to put the advertisement title in the heading, you may find your email has been lost amongst the multitude of other emails.

Following these tips could help you in generating the response you want from potential employers on craigs list.