It may be a 140-character world in much of our lives, but cover letters are still very much a necessity when it comes to searching for a job, Dice's Hill said. Not only that, but creativity counts.

And a well-written cover letter is a good way to show how much you really want the position, in other words. "It's not that hard or time-consuming, and it can make your candidacy stand out from the start."

It's also wise to link your particular skills with the key requirements listed in the job ad. For example, a job posting might state, "We are looking for an innovative problem solver, always looking to learn new technologies and concepts," or for "an experienced Linux engineer who is passionate about Linux," Hill offered.

In such cases, it's to your benefit to share in your cover letter what drew you to the posting. If the company is a dream place for you, explain why you've always wanted to work there, she added.

3. The Resume