Research the company by calling the personnel department to get a copy of the annual report. This is available at some local placementoffices, too. The library has an untapped wealth of information on companies.

Once you have a bigger picture of the company's direction, your letter can be a direct hit on the company's needs.

Another approach might be to write the newly appointed manager and ask for an informational interview. Follow up with a call in a week. Ask the manger if you could spend some time discussing his or her career and how he or she got the new job. The glow of the new promotionwill probably make its recipient willing to reflect on how it was achieved. Get'em while they're basking in the recognition! Although you aren't formally asking for a job, you will be scrutinized as a potential candidate. Be prepared with good questions and lookprofessional. I know more than one person who has acquired a job this way.

Here's another idea. If you read about a marketing approach a company is using (or you can figure it out by the advertising they use) and youhave something to offer along the same line, write a letter saying so. Perhaps you can see a weakness you can remedy. But be careful here.No one likes to be told their approach is lousy. Always couch your ideas in positive, enthusiastic language - never critical.

Read the business section regularly. You'll soon become aware of trends in the competition, the economy and business climate. This is veryuseful when writing a marketing letter to sell yourself.

If you show a keen awareness of the challenges the company faces, they'll be more willing to call you for an interview. You'll certainly behead and shoulders above most recent graduates who often don't even know what product the company sells. Scan the pages for small businesses that might be willing to let you work for free, just to getsome business experience.

Be on the lookout for open houses, seminars, public speeches, and ground breaking by people and organizations you want to know moreabout.

Notice the community organizations for which business leaders volunteer. If you've targeted a certain company, and one of its keyexecutives chairs a committee in which you're interested, it might be worth getting involved.

I've only scratched the surface. The hidden jewels and golden opportunities are there for those clever enough to find them.