In employers\' eyes，a job hunter\'s resume is worth ３０points and the cover letter is worth ２０points．So writing good cover letters is almost as important as writing resumes．
When you prepare to write a cover or application letter，you could refer to the following checklist1)．
I. Attention（Opening Paragraph）
A．Capture2) the reader\'s attention in a businesslike way．Choose an option：１．Summary3) opening．Present your strongest，most relevant qualifications，with
an explanation of how they can benefit the organization．
２．Name opening．Mention the name of a person who is well known to the reader and who has suggested that you apply for the job．
３．Source4) opening．When responding to a job ad，identify the publication in which the ad appeared，and briefly describe how you meet each requirement stated in the ad．
４．Question opening．Pose an attention－getting question that shows you understand an organization\'s problem，need，or goal and have a genuine5) desire6) to help solve or meet it．
５．News opening．Cite7) a publicized organizational achievement，contemplated change，or new procedure or product；then link it to your desire to work for the organization．
６．Personalized opening．Present one of your relevant interests，mention previous experience with the organization，or cite your present position or status as a means of leading up to a discussion of why you want to work for the organization．
７．Creative opening．Demonstrate your flair and imagination with colorful phrasing，especially if the job requires these qualities．
B．State that you are applying for a job，and identify the position or type of work you seek．
II．Interest and Desire or Evidence o f Qualifications （next several paragraphs ）
Present your key qualifications for the job，highlighting what is on your resume：job－related education and training；relevant work experience and related activities，interests，and qualities．
A．Adopt a mature and businesslike tone．
１．Eliminate boasting and exaggeration．
２．Back up your claims of ability by citing specific achievements in educational and work settings or in outside activities．
３．Demonstrate a knowledge of the organization and desire to join it by citing its operations or trends in the industry．
B．Link your education，experience，and personal qualities to the job requirements．
１．Relate aspects of your training or work experience to those of the target position．
２．Outline your educational preparation for the job．
３．Provide proof that you can learn quickly，are a hard worker，can handle responsibility，and ／or get along well with others．
４．Present ample evidence of the personal qualities and the work attitudes that are desirable for job performance．
III．Action（closing paragraph）
１．Request an interview at the reader\'s convenience．
２．State your phone number（with area code）and the best time to reach you，to make the interview request easy to comply with8)，or mention a time when you will be calling to set up an interview．
３．Express appreciation for an opportunity to have an interview．
４．Repeat your strongest qualification，to help reinforce the claim that you have something to offer the organization．
如何写求职附信或求职信
在雇主眼里，一个求职人员的履历表占３０分，求职附信占２０分。所以写好求职附信几乎和写履历表一样重要。
当你准备写求职附信或求职信时，你不妨参阅以下一览表。
I．引起注意（首段）
A．以一种职业风范引起阅读者的注意。可选择以下其一：
１．概括性开场白：展现你最具优势，最为相关的资历，并说明这些资历将如何使公司受益。
２．以名字开场：提及阅读者熟知的人名，并说明是此人建议你来应聘这一职位的。
３．以信息来源开场：当看中一个招聘广告而求职时，明确说出该广告的出处，并简要描述你是如何符合广告中所陈述的每一条件要求。
４．以问题为开场：提出某一能引起注意的问题，表明你理解公司的问题、需求或目标，并有真诚的愿望来帮助解决问题或应对问题。
５．以新闻开场：引用某一众所周知的公司成就，某一期盼的变革，或某一全新的程序或产品；然后将之与你要为公司工作的愿望结合起来。
６．个人化开场白：阐述你某一相关的兴趣，提及你与公司打过的交道，或者指出你现在的职位或地位，借以引导对方和你共同探讨你为何想为该公司工作。
７．创意性开场白：用华丽的辞藻展现你的天赋和想像力，特别是当你所应聘的工作需要这些才能时。
B．表明你是应聘一份工作，并明确说明你所寻求的职位或工作类别。
II．兴趣和愿望或资历陈述（下几段）
阐明你符合工作条件的主要资历，着重强调你履历表上的要点：与工作相关的教育和培训资历；相关的工作经历和相关的种种活动、兴趣和能力。
A．以一种成熟的、认真做事的笔调描述你的资历。
１．切忌吹嘘和夸张。
２．列举你在教育、工作或其他活动中的具体成就以证实你的能力。
３．提出公司在产业中的经营情况或发展趋势，以表明你对公司的了解和欲加入其中的愿望。
B．把你的教育背景、工作经历和个人品质同工作要求结合起来。
１．把你所受过的培训或工作经历与你欲求的职位挂钩。
２．列出你为投身工作所做的种种学业准备。
３．提供证据说明你学得快，勤奋刻苦，能承担责任，能友善地和他人相处。
４．充分证明你具有做好工作所要求的种种个人品质和工作态度。
III．行动（结束段）
１．恳请在阅读者方便之际予以面谈。
２．写明你的电话号码（包括地区编码）和打电话找你的最佳时间，好让安排面谈更顺畅些，或者提出一个时间你将打电话商讨面谈。
３．对若有面谈的机会表示感激。
４．重述你最具优势的资历，强调你对公司将会是有用之才。
NOTE 注释：
1. checklist [ ] 清单
2. capture [] v. 赢得
3. summary [] n. 摘要, 概要
4. source [] n. 信息来源
5. genuine [] adj. 真诚的，诚实的
6. desire [] n. 愿望, 心愿
7. cite [] vt. 引用, 引证
8. comply with 照做
