How do you get an interview before others even know there is a job opening? In many ways, hiring managers are very similar to job hunters. When an opening happens, they want to fill it as quickly, painlessly, and cheaply as possible. Sounds familiar right? You want to find a job as quickly, painlessly, and cheaply as possible.

An unsolicited resume will go straight to the trash bin. Hiring managers get hundreds of emails per day. But how many actual letters do they receive? Here's what you should be writing to get the attention of those with the power and desire to hire you.

Here are five steps you can take right now to jump-start your job search.