For many, the most challenging part of job hunting is writing an effective application letter. As anyone who’s ever written an application letter knows, it’s not easy to do well. Here are some tips to help.

Do your research first

Before you start writing, find out more about the company and the specific job you want. Of course, you should not only carefully read the job description, but also the company’s website, its executives’ Twitter feeds, and employee profiles on LinkedIn. This will help you customize your application letter, since you shouldn’t send a universal one. 【小题1】.

Emphasize your personal value

【小题2】. Draw on the research you did earlier and show that you know what the company does and some of the challenges it faces. In interviews, you’d better provide evidence of the things that set you apart. There are two skills that are relevant to almost any job: adaptability and the ability to learn quickly. If you have examples that demonstrate these skills, include those.

Convey enthusiasm

Hiring managers are going to go with the candidate who has made it seem like this is their dream job. 【小题3】. Enthusiasm conveys personality. Write something like “I’d love to work for your company. Who wouldn’t? You’re the industry leader, setting standards that others only follow.”

【小题4】 In fact, it’s a great idea to share your application letter with a few people. Be specific about the kind of feedback you want, instead of sending it off and asking, “What do you think?” In particular, request two things. 【小题5】. It is also necessary to ask them what’s wrong with the letter.