General Tips

• Customize the cover letter to the position that you are applying for.
• Send them to the people who can hire you, such as department heads or hiring managers. If the name of the person is not given in the job advertisement or posting, or if you are not responding to an ad, then call the company to find out the name and title of the person to whom you should address your letter.  
• In your letter be sure that you are not coming off as either arrogant or unsure of yourself. You want to appear confident and purposeful as well as open and honest.
• When you are applying for a specific position use the exact title in your introduction, since recruiters are often hiring for many positions concurrently.
• Request an interview in your letter, and tell them when you will call them. Most importantly, follow through!