If you’ve found yourself caught between jobs, it’s possible you feel stuck under a personal rain cloud; and for those who aren’t equipped with the right job-hunting skills, well, then… getting out from under the burden will prove to be a tedious task.

For many people, this process is uncharted territory — clouded and hazy — and attempting to navigate can be quite stressful.

An important thing to include when applying for your next job is a strong cover letter.

To be effective, a cover letter should be concise, conveying an applicant’s work history and goals in a few paragraphs or less.

If it’s too wordy, you will lose your reader, and likely… the job.

Many job applicants are so concerned with how they convey their skills (self-engrossed, if you will) that they forget to show interest in the company’s needs.

Your cover letter is the perfect place to express interest and show a potential employer that you share similar values and are a great fit. This will help you stand out from other applicants.

Start out by researching the company and be sure you know the responsibilities of the position you want to land.

Once you start writing, you’ll want to address a specific person when possible. Personalize each cover letter you write so the hiring manager does not get the feeling that you lazily sent them out en masse.

State the purpose of your letter near the beginning and explain why you are a qualified candidate.

Remember, you’re not rewriting your resume here. It’s important to be concise, but this is a good opportunity to illustrate how your work history would help you thrive, not only in the position for which you’re applying, but also in the company’s work environment.

Close your letter with a cordial request for an interview. Then, thank the reader for his or her time and mention you would be happy to answer any questions he or she may have.