If you are an IT or technology professional, your job search may be conducted using all the latest gadgets and platforms.  You may send a resume from your iPad, share your job search adventures on Twitter, market yourself on LinkedIN and tell your Facebook friends about your plight.  The truth is, none of these are going to do the work that is necessary to land you a job.  They may get you in the door, but in a competitive job market, technology professionals need a stealth approach to their job search.

According to an article posted by a technical recruiter at GTN Technical Staffing ,”Stealth Job Search Advice for Technology Professionals,” there are some very specific rules that should be followed when writing cover letters and thank you letters.   In the interest of speed and productivity, many job seekers have abandoned this practice, but it is just as important as ever.

Cover letters are more than “just another marketing tool” in the job search process.  They allow you to show a potential employer how you have met or exceeded the expectations of former employers, or how your background has prepared you for the requirements of your targeted position.  It is never realistic to expect an employer to draw their own conclusions by looking at your resume.

Cover letters should be more than a recitation of your skills and talents, they should exude passion for that particular job.  Don’t be afraid to let the employer know that this position is the perfect match for your extensive background or why you were attracted to this particular job.

In addition to elaborating on your accomplishments as they pertain to the position, you will want to be sure that any written correspondence contains certain keywords about the job.  For example, if they are looking for a Java developer, make sure this appears several times in your resume and cover letter.  Some larger employers use special software to scan files for keywords and sort resumes based on their inclusion in the documents.

Lastly, before you send out any written correspondence to a potential employer, be sure you proofread it more than once.  Look for spelling errors, omitted words and missing punctuation.

Following these guidelines can make a remarkable difference in the job search success for technology professionals.