You may have heard the advice that you should should avoid sending general cover letters, and, instead, you should write a new cover letter that is specific to the job each time you apply to a job.

This advice is important. Generic cover letters don’t do much to help you impress the employer. However, the thought of writing a new cover letter each time you apply for a job can be daunting. Here’s how to make your job easier:

Do not open up your word processing software and start with a blank screen each time you write a cover letter. Instead, write a general cover letter for yourself. Write a letter the describes the skills and experiences you would want to highlight based on the type of job you would most likely be seeking. Never, ever send this generic cover letter to an employer.

Instead, use your generic cover letter as a base to start from each time you write a targeted cover letter. Review the requirements of each job you apply to and check those against the skills and experience you have highlighted in your general cover letter.

Add a sentence or two to demonstrate you have the skills that are important in that specific job if they have not already been covered in your base cover letter. Then add based on your knowledge of the company, add a sincere sentence or two that describes why you sincerely would like to work for that company.

Address the letter with the employer’s contact information, be sure to include the employer’s name in the salutation, and you’re done. You’ve taken a generic cover letter and turned it into a great, targeted cover letter.

Save this letter as well as copies of every cover letter you send out. You can always go back to them to find good phrases that you can use in subsequent letters.

Writing targeted cover letters is an important aspect of conducting an effective job search. With some smart planning, it doesn’t have to be a difficult, time consuming or daunting task.