Many job seekers make the same mistakes over and over on their cover letters and résumés as they travel the job search highway. It's not rocket science, but here's a few guidelines from Laura Gassner Otting to get you through.

1. "Insert Job Here": At least reference a few key points from the position requirements in the cover letter. Seriously, did you even read the job description before you put your cover letter together?

2. Read and Follow Directions: How many people still send emails & letters & faxes to companies who explicitly tell you to submit via a web form. Trust them, that really is the only way that accept resumes. The rest of the stuff goes in the trash.

3. Think About the Message You Send: Be serious (or not) depending on the job. This is your livelihood hear. Make good impression (voicemail, paper, formatting of resume, use fonts they can read, etc...)

4. Poor Résumés: Results, results, results - write about results and value add, not your hobbies.

5. Spell Check: Nine out of ten résumés claiming that the applicant is "detail oriented" have a typo on it somewhere. Nice.

6. Dream, Within Reason: Know your limits. Apply for jobs within them.

7. Know Your Weaknesses: If you are missing a key skill or some years of experience, own the weakness, but then describe how your other skills and experiences will help you compensate or catch up quickly.

8. Curiosity is Key: Take AT LEAST as much interest in the organization you're submitting to as you'd like them to take in you!

9. Thank You Notes: Thank you letters are the perfect opportunity to remind your interviewer why you should be hired, or for you to insert into the equation a key fact that you forgot to mention when you met.

10. Get a Second Opinion: Send your résumé to a friend, a colleague, a mentor or a résumé consultant.

Related Resources: Keep yourself educated and stay on top of your field