Do we need another expert article talking about tools for job seekers, especially writing tools – and how to write resumes and cover letters?

Our search found 9.28 million “writing a cover letter” links on Google. Add “tools for job seekers,” that’s another 14.3 million.

So, the answer is probably not. That’s why we’ve decided not to run the redundant re-runs of how-tips and dos and don’ts. Rather, we’ve scoured the Web and looked for the gold nuggets that really outshine and out-value most of the advice.

First, let’s assume you know the following:

• A cover letter is sent to an employer with your resume.
• A cover letter isn’t a narrative regurgitation of your resume. It’s the all-important invitation for an employer to continue reading. Or not.
• A cover letter should exemplify your personality. Don’t be stale or stoic (unless your personality is stale and stoic. If so, we feel for you.)
• Formatting, “look and feel” and good spelling and grammar are “must haves” for any cover letter. Don’t make your margins at .2 inches, don’t format your type to be 6 point to get more on the page and choose one typeface (i.e., don’t choose Arial for your body, Impact for your headings and Bernard MT Condensed for everything else, U-G-L-Y).

Do these things and your time and effort go the way of the recycling center. Just like your cover letter and resume.

OK, here’s where we hit gold.

Our Top 10 of Cover Letter Information & Insights

1. Cover letters can be letters you send with a resume, in the mail, or as an e-mail. Read this about e-mail cover letters.
2. The best way to make sure your cover letter is the best it can be, use this checklist (Don’t you love About.com?).
3. MIT’s Career Center has a BIG document that covers everything “job hunting.” Enjoy.
4. Stay tuned in to the JobPad blog to manage your job search and review job-board listings. Sure, this is a bit self-serving but we need you to sign up and test drive this cool tool. And you can tell us what you really think.
5. Consider using a resume-writing service if the task is too daunting and dreadful. You can Google and find thousands of services and pricing, or check out The Career Artisan. We recently met Mary Elizabeth Bradford who is—believe it or not—an internationally certified resume writer and job coach. She even has an upcoming Resume Writing Webinar. Sign up is available.
6. Are you 50 years old or older? See these cover letter tips from Monster.com, especially for you.
7. Collegegrad.com says these are GREAT cover letters for college graduates. We’ll take their word for it.
8. Oh dear, we found a contrarian opinion from a man who wrote a letter to CNN. His advice: “the resume cover letter is a thing of the past. Don’t do them.” We’re not sure we agree, but here’s the article.
9. This Forbes article offers one’s personal experience with writing a letter and includes a host of nationally known experts. Good read.
10. Not a reader, eh? All of us learn in different ways – reading, listening or watching. For the visual and audio learners out there, see this career video about writing a cover letter.

So, there it is, our top 10. Valuable, practical and educational. You tell us what you think about this top 10. Hey, even share your favorite job-hunting sites and advice. We’ll take a look.

Lastly, did we mention that JobPadHQ wants you to sign up now, for free, and tell us what you think?

Oh yeah. We did.