You also need the tone of your letter to align with the job's requirements. This applicant seeks a position in public relations, but the tone of her letter is ho-hum:

Dear Mr. Rowley:
I am interested in applying for a position in the public-relations department of your television station. It would be an honor to work for a television station of your stature.

Over the past nine months that I have been interning for WEXU, I have realized that it is the most reputable public-broadcasting station in the South Texas region. I have learned a lot about the public-relations field of communications, and I have benefited greatly from my experiences at WEXU. I know that if I were a part of the public-relations team, we could all work together in order to continue the station's success in enriching, educating, and entertaining our community.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time and consideration.