Now there are a lot of people on side of road. Some are pointing at us and some are laughing. A few are throwing stones, but we incur no damage. A troop of SPIRIT is fielding stones so they never touch us.

The storm is right on top of us. It started with rain, and now there is lightening and thunder. We are pelted with hail and road is slippery and winding. There are some dark, dismal buildings alongside our road. They have signs-DISTRUST, APATHY AND DISCOURAGEMENT. They are run-down, with broken windows and weeds growing all around.

There is a roadside turn-around with a lot of track marks going in and coming out. The signs reads: DOUBT-TURN AROUND HERE AND GO HOME. We pass it by just as a car makes a turn and heads on back to wherever they came from. The road is now just a slit of what it was. The clouds seem to be giving way and little specks of sunshine are beginning to glisten in raindrops.There is a clean scent in air - spring rain - an aromatic delight of fields and flowers. Then we see it - a rainbow - but not just any rainbow. This one has every color you could imagine. It is spread across our road like an arch and it is most breathtaking rainbow we have ever seen. Just past rainbow we come to a town sign: YOU ARE ENTERING THE TOWN OF SUCCESS- DON'T JUST VISIT - STAY WITH US. We have arrived. We are safe and we are here. We are a little tired so we decide to rest at hotel called GRATITUDE. We'll also grab something to eat at an inn called APPRECIATION. We have reached our destination. ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 Arleen Kaptur has written numerous articles, e-books, and novel: SEARCHING FOR AUSTIN JAMES Websites: http://www.rusticliving.info http://www.arleenssite.com http://www.Arleens-RusticLiving.com http://www.webspawner.com/users/rusticliving/index.html

4. Never mention work experience in cover letter that isn't included on your resume. This no-no equals an automatic strike out.

5. Make sure it contains no typos or poor grammar. Have someone proof your letter before using it.

6. Know what you are applying for. Be specific. Know job title. Never say you'll take anything available. You are a professional. State job title you are wanting to be considered for in first paragraph of your cover letter.

7. I always asked candidates why they wanted to work for me. This is where they had opportunity to impress me by saying something like: "Because your company is largest retailer of wireless communication devices, I feel strongly that I should position my future with a leader in industry." Do you see what I mean? I want to know that they have done a little research. I want to know that they understand my business and at same time they see a opportunity for self-fulfillment within my company. This is information you include in first paragraph of cover letter.

8. Next, I want to know how a candidate will contribute to my company. This is paragraph number two. I want to know specifically how your set of skills and past experiences will directly impact company. This is "What can you do for company?" section.

9. Never conclude a letter with a flippant "I hope you call me" type of ending. Always specify a date that you will follow-up with company and how you will follow-up.

Applying these tips will help you to be a step ahead of pack. Recruiters routinely discard many applicants based solely on a poor written cover letter and resume. Since your goal is to get in door for an interview, taking time to create a winning cover letter is a tactic you can't afford to skip!