Dear J.T. & Dale: With the increase in companies asking to have applications submitted online, how can I make mine stand out from the hundreds of other applications? — Bette

Dale: Never forget that the goal of your application is to help the HR person or hiring manager put you in the “yes” pile. Those “yes” people are the ones who meet all the requirements. So, make sure you play back the language of the ad — use the qualifications they specify in their ad/posting, perhaps even offering them a checklist.

J.T.: And here are a few other tricks that can help:

1. Be the FIRST to apply. Check for new postings several times each day so you can be one of the first looked at, before the hiring manager’s eyes glaze over.

2. Get them at “Hello.” When sending a cover letter, avoid the standard “I’m responding to your ad …” opening, and put something original, to make them want to keep reading.

3. Get someone to recommend you. If you don’t know anyone at the company, see if you can get one of your past managers to make a blind call or e-mail to the hiring manager on your behalf. Recommendations always get more attention.

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Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and founder of Careerealism.com. Dale Dauten’s latest book is “(Great) Employees Only: How Gifted Bosses Hire and De-Hire Their Way to Success” (John Wiley & Sons). Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.

© 2009 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.