Dear Matt: I'm returning from active military duty and need a job! What tips do you have for me? What has changed in the few years I have been out of the job market?

Ashley Wagner dropped out of school after the first day of her junior year. "I decided to be young while I could be young," she said. She worked part-time at a fast-food restaurant, a gas station, and as an administrative assistant through a temp agency. When her daughter was born 20 months ago, Wagner decided it was time to settle down. "I know I'm smart," she said. "I didn't want to be another bum on the street."

Struggling to write a cover letter? You're not alone. Based on the dozens of inquiries I get every week on this subject, here are four common cover letter questions, with answers to guide you.

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When you thank someone, be it an employer after an interview or a friend who gave you a job lead, you help satisfy their need to be appreciated. This can also propel you faster toward employment.

Fully 70-80% of jobs go unadvertised by employers, who fear being deluged by hundreds of resumes from applicants, most of whom won't be qualified. With that in mind, it makes sense to spend about 80% of your time cracking this hidden market of unadvertised jobs.

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If you have a curious mind and like learning new things, you may find success working for yourself as a how-to expert. That's the message in a new book from Bob Bly, marketer and author.