These examples paint a vivid picture of what the writer can do for the employer:

Six years of involvement in restaurant management while growing up have taught me about every facet of the industry. Through these years our family-owned and operated company has expanded from a single unit to a nine-restaurant chain. Having been brought up in the business, I've dealt with a diverse array of individuals. I have developed, among other attributes, strong entrepreneurial, interpersonal, and motivational skills, which will contribute to a fruitful and lucrative partnership with your company.

---

In addition to an undergraduate background in business and sales, I have interned with the Sheraton Great Lakes, where I was involved in selling the five-star hotel's accommodations to journalists and tourists from all over the world. Add to that experience my understanding and appreciation for the sport of golf, and you have the perfect addition to your golf-equipment sales team.

---

To be successful as a marketing manager, you must know what the customer wants. My four years in the customer-service department at Builder's Square while completing my education have provided me with valuable insights to customer needs. As a member of your marketing team, I will not only strengthen your product line, but will also contribute to the entire company's success.

---

Dear Ms. Johns:
My extensive training and hands-on experience is the perfect tool that your company needs. I am a graduate of Slippery Rock University with a marketing degree and extensive experience in sales. I look forward to succeeding in the position as head sales manager at Telemark Inc.

My background in sales comes from two summer internships in which I progressed from sales representative to assistant sales manager in the telemarketing department and was hired full-time the next summer as the manager. This experience, coupled with my education, is a surefire asset to your bottom line. My creative and aggressive nature will benefit your company significantly, and I know that I will generate the results you are looking for.

---

Because I recently worked in one of the convenience stores in your company's chain, I am well-acquainted with how to prioritize tasks. When I worked there last summer, I oversaw organization of the task list that employees had to use. While corporate headquarters provided the basic structure of the task list, I modified it to meet our store's needs. This summer I would like to be able to do that for all the corporate stores rather than just for my store.

Working in "the problem store" as you often called it, I am certainly aware of the difficulties, and, fueled by my management classes, I have some ideas about how to solve them.

---

Dear Ms. Denzel:
Your sales representative, Bernie Donalds, suggested I contact you about the sales representative position that will soon be opening in the Bay area. Upon my graduation in May from the University of California, Berkeley, I could make a profitable contribution to Minolta's sales team.

My academic career, work experience, and knowledge of photography have prepared me well for this position. I have studied retail sales, professional selling and sales management through academics and work experience. I have earned several awards from Minolta for my knowledge of the equipment and my sales performance. I am accredited to sell both Minolta's professional and amateur lines. I achieved my Professional Systems Sales Award the first year of my employment with Berkeley Camera Exchange.

---

Dear Mr. Farris:
From my work experience, I know the value of good employees. To succeed today, a human resources professional must succeed through effective recruiting, training, and relations with employees. My bachelor's degree in human resource management can help me contribute to the Home Depot family. I would like to put my knowledge to work for you. My experience can help develop new and innovative programs to continue the company's success as the world's largest home improvement retailer.

The managerial, organizational, leadership, and communication skills I have acquired from employment and extracurricular activities would enable me to make a substantial contribution in a human resources assistant position in your corporate office.

---

Dear Ms. Luther:
My extensive experience with customer relations and quality customer service, accompanied by my education and management experience, would provide an outstanding and profitable asset in one of the customer service manager positions you are seeking to fill in the Glasgow and Inverness branches of your ever-expanding institution.

My education and coursework, combined with my previous customer service experience, has given me the ability to recognize the need for satisfied customers, and I am fully capable of providing satisfaction to the fullest extent.

Remember the student who wrote the creative opener in her letter to as scenic design firm? In her closer, she does a nice job of summarizing what she can do for the company, again using language that would not work for every type of job-seeker:

You need someone who can mold her skills into your company's daily work schedule to keep Scenic City moving along steadily. I am that someone, and I will be in touch next week to set up a time for us to meet. Your artistic team is a professional palette of colorful minds; make me a new hue on your palette, and I will mix in with your colors to create a masterpiece.