If you respond to job postings by sending in a resume by itself, I've got bad news: You have to send a cover letter, too. Even in this day of job boards and email, the cover letter is the first thing employers look at when they open up your application, and they're bound to at least skim it before they go on to review the work history you've listed in your resume. Yes, it's another step in an already laborious process. These stories will help. They'll guide you through the process of creating a cover letter that works, so they'll strengthen your chances of landing an interview with the manager doing the hiring.

• Cover Letters Don’t Matter? Oh, Yes They Do
•  You Must, MUST, Customize Your Approach if You Want to Get the Job
•  10 Ways to Screw Up Your Cover Letter
•  How to Target A Cover to Get the Manager’s Attention
•  Tricks to Finding Out the Hiring Manager’s Name
•  How to Write Unbeatable IT Cover Letters
•  How To Make Online Cover Letters Work
•  6 Steps To Better Cover Letters
•  4 Ways to Optimize Your Resume and Cover Letter