How to write a successful cover letter, not one that sinks you

"This Element is an excerpt from The Truth About the New Rules of Business Writing (ISBN: 9780137153152) by Natalie Canavor and Claire Meirowitz. When employers ask for cover letters (even with online applications) along with your credentials, they mean it--they want a letter, not a spontaneous-looking e-mail or text message. They will most definitely judge you on it. This is perfectly fair. Employers want to see how you handle yourself in writing: the better you can, the more of an asset you'll be"--Resource description page.