How we help you create your letter in three easy steps:

1. Find a cover letter that fits your needs and copy it directly into Microsoft Word or your favorite word processor. 2. Or let our software guide you step-by-step through the writing process, suggesting sample phrases and sentences for each writing step. In minutes, you can write an effective cover letter. 3. Print your cover letter and send it!

How to write a cover letter:

1. Present yourself as someone who can fill the employer's need. In other words, market yourself as somebody with the specific skills and expertise that the job requires. 2. Don't just say, "I'm the right person." Describe yourself with well written examples, achievements, work ethic and personality traits that specifically address each job requirement. 3. Customize your cover letter for each particular job. 4. Emphasize what you have to contribute to the company or organization. 5. Show enthusiasm for the opportunity. Do your homeworklet the employers know that you know who they are, what they do, and that you have chosen them! 6. In bold type, highlight your skills that match the job description. 7. Fix all spelling errors, typos and grammar problems. 8. Personalize your cover letter. If possible, address your cover letter to the person in charge of interviewing and hiring.

Tips to maximize your cover letter's impact:

Ask yourself how can your cover letter distinguish you as a candidate? It isn't just enough to fire off e-mail resumes. Applying for jobs has become so easy that employers are bombarded with resumes. The secret is to send a personalized cover letter. In just three to four paragraphs an employer can decide if he wants to interview you.

A winning cover letter gets personal Tell employers what you know about their company. After reading their Web site, product or service materials and studying the job description, write something you think they will care about.

Mention contacts within the company If you don't know anyone who works there, find a friend of a friend using LinkedIn.com. Call him or her soon as possible to discuss the company.

Tell employers how your skills fit into the position This requires special attention to each sentence. Tell them how your strengths, experience and desires will fit their needs.

Tell employers how you relate to the organization Cover letters are not about you. They are about how you can help the organization.

Write your cover letter for the employer:

Tailor your cover letter to meet the employer's needs List specific examples of solving similar problems that correspond to the employer's needs Write a personal letter as if you were talking to the employer directly Market your strengths to edge out the competition Present yourself as a professional candidate worth interviewing

How important are cover letters?

1. Your cover letter is the first document an employer reads. It must introduce you with style and class. 2. Many employers toss resumes without cover letters. Some do it automatically. 3. Employers need only ten seconds to decide whether or not they want to hire you based on what you write. 4. Generic cover letters don't work. It isn't about you. It is about what you can do for them. 5. If employers don't like your cover letter, they will quickly move onto the next resume. If it immediately impresses them, they will want to learn more about you.

Reasons why employers will toss your resume:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

There is no accompanying cover letter The same cover letter is obviously used for other job submissions The cover letter does not match the job description The cover letter is filled with general information. All they read is "blah, blah, blah." The cover letter contains spelling, grammatical or typo errors The applicant's skills do not match the job requirements The applicant made unsubstantiated claims

How to interview for a job

By Alan Stevens 1. Go to the interview with twenty questions you want to ask. Ask them to tell you about them. The more questions you ask, the more you will be successful. The interview isn't about you. It is about them. 2. Look around at their office. Make a mental list of what you see. If a guy has a huge award on his desk, ask him about it. If he is totally organized, compliment him on his organizational skills. 3. Listen. If you're listening carefully, you will more likely provide the right responses at the right times. 4. Answer questions with at most three sentences. Say anything more and you may lose the job. Start the conversion by saying, "I think this could be a great match but I want to know more about you. Tell me about you. What did you do before you began work here?" 5. Take notes. Ask a question. When they answer, write something down. 6. Say their name. What is the most important word a person can hear? Their name. If you are interviewed by more than one person, write down their names. Whenever you talk to anyone, say their name. 7. Remember it is always about your immediate supervisor's success. Your job is to make them look good.

8. A Sample of a Letter of Request

9. Here is a sample letter of request: 10. Your Return Address 11. [Date] 12. Mr./Ms. J. Smith XYZ Company 123 Sesame Street Your Town, Your State Zip Code/Postal Code 13. Dear Mr./Ms. Smith: 14. Re: Request for an Interview 15. My name is [your name here] and I am writing to request an interview to discuss available positions in the [name of department] with your company. [If you were referred

to the company by someone you know, be sure to include this information here. "James Ray, who is an employee in your Sales Department, suggested I contact you."] 16. I am a graduate of [name of educational institution you attended] and I have [x] years of experience in the field of [name of industry or field of study]. I am currently looking for new employment opportunities and I would like to have the opportunity to discuss how my skills and abilities can be of benefit to your company. 17. I will contact you by phone next week to set up a convenient time when I can discuss my qualifications. I will bring my resume with me at that time. If you have questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact me by phone at [area code and number here]. I can also be reached by e-mail at [your e-mail address here]. 18. Thank you for taking the time to consider my request, and I will be in touch with you soon. 19. Sincerely, 20. [Your Name Here] Here are some tips that will help you in drafting an application letter:

The letter has to start with the sender's name and address. This has to be followed with a receiver's name and address. Date has to be inserted in between the two addresses. All these things have to be aligned to the left side. The letter has to have salutation in form of a word "Dear" followed by the name of addressee. Then you can begin with the main body of the letter. In the first paragraph write the position you are applying for, course you are taking admission for, etc. This will give out the purpose of the letter. The essential details have to be included in the subsequent paragraphs. All the facts like education, work experience, references have to be described. The letter has to be full of skills and qualities that match the job profile or a student should have, so that you may be the right candidate. The letter should focus on how unique you are and why you should be selected for the interview or admission The letter has to end on a positive note. You should close the letter with a phrase like thanking you, yours truly, etc. The complimentary closure should be followed by your name and signature The letter has to printed on good quality paper Use professional fonts like Times New Roman, Arial and font size that is readable. The letter has to be flawless. Proofread the letter thoroughly before dispatching it.

Kenneth Garcia 100 South Glasgow Drive, Dallas, TX, United States (972) 502-4400 Date: September 10, 2009 Helen Jones Principal St. Mary School 185 West Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, TX, United States (214) 496-6100 Dear Ms. Jones: I'm writing this letter to apply for a position of History teacher in your esteemed school. The position was advertised in "The National Herald" dated September 08. I am interested in the field of academics and love to deal with young minds. I have been in the field of teaching for the last five years. I have taught in schools in and around Texas. I have honors in History from Texas University. I have completed a Diploma in Elementary Education. I use various methods to teach history to young kids. These methods are planning excursions, showing movies on historical characters, slide show, etc. This helps the students in understanding the nuances of the subject. I can handle a class of forty students. I can work in a team as I have good interpersonal skills. I like to work in various sports and cultural committees in school which helps in overall personality development of the students. I am patient and can work under stress. I manage to finish the assigned work in tight schedules. If given an opportunity, I will surely optimize it and help the school in progress of students. You can contact me on phone at (972) 502-4400or email kenneth.garcia@yahoo.com. I will get back to you in a week's time to know the status of my application. I am waiting for a positive reply from your side look so that I can meet you personally for an interview. Yours truly, Kenneth Garcia