Here’s everything you need to know about writing cover letters (说明信) to stand out from the competition and catch employers’ attention.

Writing a great letter can feel like a daunting task to a lot of job seekers. In fact, usually, when I start to talk with clients about this topic, the first thing people ask is, “Do I really have to write a cover letter?” When I say yes, the next question people normally ask is, “Why?”

If you’re going to spend your time working on a challenging task, it’s wise to know exactly why you’re doing it. It is true that some employers never read cover letters. Instead, they look directly at a candidate’s resume (简历). However, plenty of employers find a lot of value in a cover letter. They see it as a way of getting to know more about you, your personality and your ability to communicate outside of the structural limitations of a resume. Some employers will only read your resume if they are impressed with your cover letter.

Other employers will not read a resume if it is not accompanied by a cover letter. They feel that it is a part of a complete job application package. If you have only sent a resume, these employers believe that you have only done half of the job in the application process. They view that as a negative reflection on the way you would do the job at their company. You don’t know the employer’s preference each time you submit (提交) a resume, so you must submit a cover letter with your resume every time you apply for a job.

People sometimes ask whether writing cover letters is necessary when they respond to job ads that say “Submit your resume to…”. The answer is yes, absolutely. Even if the letter is not specifically requested in the ad, it is assumed that you will submit one along with your resume.

   A strong memory depends on the health and vitality（生命力）of your brain. They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks，but when it comes to the brain，scientists have discovered that this old saying simply isn't true. 【小题1】

Give your brain a workout. Memory, like muscular strength, requires you to“use it or lose it”. The more you work out your brain, the better you' ll be able to process and remember information. 【小题2】

Don't skip the physical exercise. While mental exercise is important to brain health, that doesn't mean you never need to break a sweat. Physical exercise helps your brain stay sharp. It increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk of disorders that lead to memory loss.

Get enough sleep. There is a big difference between the amount of sleep you can get now and the amount you need to function at your best. 【小题3】

Keep stress in check. Stress is one of the brain's worst enemies. Over time, stress destroys brain cells. Studies have also linked stress to memory loss.

Have a laugh. 【小题4】 That holds true for the brain and the memory, as well as the body. Unlike emotional responses, which are limited to specific areas of the brain, laughter involves multiple regions across the whole brain.

【小题5】 Just as the body needs fuel, so does the brain. You probably already know that a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains,“healthy”fats and lean protein will provide lots of health benefits, but such a diet can also improve memory. For brain health, though, it's not just what you eat — it's also what you don't eat.

   Proper pressure can be a good thing: It can push you toward accomplishing tasks. 【小题1】. But sometimes the stress can be too much. Psychologist Travis explains that there is a best level of stress. With less than that, you may lack interest or motivation. 【小题2】 If you can reduce the stress and stay calm, you’ll have a better chance of succeeding.

Breathe out

Psychotherapist Tom suggests an effective yet simple relaxation technique: Slowly expel (排出) all the air from your lungs until there is nothing left and then count to 3 before taking the next breath normally. 【小题3】. The act of letting go of all the air lowers your shoulders and relaxes your muscles. When you are physically more relaxed, you will function better under pressure.

Keep healthy daily habits

Ensure that you are eating healthy foods. 【小题4】. Proper diet and rest may be all you need to reset your biological stress reactions to more manageable levels. In addition, regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress.

【小题5】

Regardless of how much pressure the other person is applying, or how much stress you feel, avoid reacting before you have had a chance to calmly consider what you think about the issue. Leave the room and go for a walk, make some coffee or sit alone in a quiet spot to allow yourself to decide what is the best for you.

   Our memory naturally drops as we age. We depend on our memory to perform our daily tasks well and do our jobs properly. 【小题1】 . Nothing is more embarrassing than forgetting vital information at a gathering. But there are some ways we can do to make it as sharp as ever.

Sleep Well

This is very important if you want to keep your good memory until you grow old. You must give your brain enough rest and sleep so that it can regenerate more cells where it can store more information. 【小题2】.

Eat Healthily

【小题3】. Eating avocado and broccoli stimulates（促使）blood flow to the brain. Have more beans which contain folate（叶酸）—a vitamin B that figures well in brain development. Adding nuts and beans to your daily diet can also contribute to a healthier memory.

【小题4】

Don't think that you are too old to learn new skills. Try learning a new language or even playing an instrument. Start attending baking or painting classes.

It's not really the skill that you choose but in the fact that you focus on it for regular periods of time and find it interesting.

Exercise

【小题5】. When we exercise, we increase blood flow to the brain, increase the production of newer and younger cells and protect the brain cells from any kind of damage. Exercise can do a lot of wonders to our body, so you'd better start exercising now before it's too late.