Step 1: Highlight Key Accomplishments from Your Resume​​ Cover letters should not exceed one page. Customize your cover letter for each job application.Career Advancement offers a series of tools below to help you with these phases of the application process. Learn how to create effective resumes, CVs and cover letters with resources and tips form UIC Career Services. Sample Job Application. Purpose. The purpose of this activity is to perfect your job application skills. Objectives. 1. In this video, Holl explains what employers want from a cover letter, the optimal cover letter format, and 3 key strategies for success. Perfect your job application with one of our professionally designed and free-to-use cover letter templates for Word or Google Docs.