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Communication has evolved over the years due to technological and other changes in our society. How we write letters is a great example. At the beginning of the 20th century, a business letter would have been handwritten in meticulous cursive style. It would have been lengthy and chock full of flowery images and adjectives.

Many job seekers complain of applying online with cover letters for dozens (if not more) of positions on monster.com, careerbuilder.com or other job boards. What happens so much of the time? Absolutely nothing. While I do not have magic solutions or answers to this, let me share a perspective on what often happens on the other side. These insights have been shared by many friends and colleagues coming from that “other-side-of-the-desk” viewpoint.

Those who are fans of David Letterman know he made a name for himself over the past few decades with, among other sketches, his Top Ten List. I've compiled my own Top Ten List for Cover Letters. While Letterman's lists are lighthearted and humorous, my list is absolutely serious! What's more serious than making the right impression from the start with employers, to get your foot in the door in a tough economy? Death and taxes and a few other things – but not a whole lot.

Cover letters are critical to your success. They introduce you and are an indicator of your intellect, selling and business savvy and confidence, as well as your professional experience and skills. Résumés are more impersonal documents that contain information and facts, albeit spun to sell your value. A résumé is rather rigid document at best.

Cover letters are read carefully by those with the power to make, or influence, the hiring decision. The higher up the professional ladder you climb, the more important cover letters and career search letters become. For the candidate who must demonstrate written communication skills in the execution of daily duties (and that's really any of us), these letters become a valuable medium for demonstrating significant career expertise.

Here are 25 tips and tricks that will make sure your cover letters get noticed.