Amy Lindgren

Here’s a poll we don’t need to take: How many job seekers enjoy writing cover letters? Surprise! No one’s hand went up.

That may be why some surveys report fewer than half of job seekers use cover letters — they just don’t enjoy writing them. Of course, they don’t say that. They usually say the letters won’t be read anyway and their time could be better spent completing applications instead.

In truth, recruiters and employers frequently show a preference for cover letters from job seekers, which means not sending one is not only not strategic but actually disappoints a certain percentage of employers. Well, that’s not good.

Let’s start over with the assumption that you now plan to send cover letters with every online application. The question is how to make an onerous task go more quickly without sacrificing quality.

But first, let’s tackle a logistical point. Sometimes online applications don’t include an upload button or text box for cover letters. In that case, your work-around is to add your letter to the résumé file, essentially making it page one of your résumé.

Now, as for the letter itself, consider why you would write one at all. What can a letter do that isn’t already accomplished by the résumé or application? Answers include:

• show enthusiasm

• tell a story

• draw connections between your skills and this position

• reference a common contact

• demonstrate your personality

• highlight a relevant aspect of your experience.

Basically, the cover letter is the original tool for customizing your materials. If you imagine that simply changing the headline on your résumé or dropping in a few software packages is customization enough, I’ll just ask: How’s that working for you? Because I can almost guarantee that every other applicant is doing the same thing.

By contrast, the letter lets you separate yourself from others. Sure, it may never get read by a human, given the use of automation in the hiring process. But you still have to try. Since being read by a human is your goal, it’s only logical to prepare for that possibility.

You know what else is logical? Cutting the letter-writing process down to size, so that it doesn’t take more than perhaps 15  minutes per application. Although you may still dislike the task, at least it will be over quickly.

In this spirit, here are three ways to shorten the process of writing cover letters for online applications.

1. Create a template to customize. This is a good tool when most of the jobs you seek are similar. Suppose you’re primarily applying for social media marketing roles. Your template might contain mostly stock sentences (“With 10+ years experience leading social media marketing campaigns, and …. , I’m excited about this role with ___.”)  but would integrate customized sentences as well: (“Your company’s emphasis on ___ and awards for ___ heighten my enthusiasm for working with you…”)

This may not seem like a time-saver at first, but you’ll appreciate how quickly you can fill in the blanks once you have the template in place.

Extra Credit: Review their website or conduct other research so your customization feels authentic.

2. Create boilerplate paragraphs. If the jobs you’re choosing aren’t similar enough for a template letter, you can use pre-written paragraphs instead. In this case, you would have an archive of perhaps 10-15 short paragraphs, each describing a different achievement or skill: (“As a Project Manager for ABC, I led teams of 10-15 cross-disciplinary professionals in enterprise-wide …”).

Your actual letter would contain perhaps three of these story-telling paragraphs, which you would string together with brief references to the posting: “I’m comfortable I could contribute immediately in this project manager role, based on my experience. As a Project Manager for ABC…”

Extra Credit: Mix up the boilerplate paragraphs so at least one describes a personality trait or work approach; this is the content that makes you feel human to the reader.

3. Get a boost from AI. Artificial intelligence can be a great place to start when writing a letter — although it’s a terrible place to end. By providing a basic prompt into ChatGPT or another AI tool (“Write a cover letter for a social media marketer”), you can jump start your writing process. But don’t over-estimate AI’s abilities. You’ll still need to customize if you want the reader to connect with you as a person. (Which you do.)

Extra Credit: Use the same query two or three times, and choose the best response as your launch point.

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Amy Lindgren owns a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com.

Amy Arnott of Morningstar

Deciding where to live later in life isn’t an easy task. Many seniors prefer to stay in their own homes but may need help managing medical issues or day-to-day tasks. Others might move in with their adult children or family members.

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One potential solution is a continuing care retirement community, or life plan community.

A CCRC is a community living facility where retirees can access a spectrum of care as they age—care levels typically include independent living, assisted living, nursing care, and memory care. Most CCRCs also offer a range of amenities and activities, such as on-site fitness centers and groups for different hobbies.

There’s evidence that people living in CCRCs enjoy better health outcomes, and higher levels of social and emotional well-being. It can also be an attractive option for couples as they can continue living near each other even if one person eventually needs a higher level of care.

Moving to a CCRC requires a substantial financial commitment, and it carries the sobering possibility that it might be the last time you get to choose where you live. Here are some key things to consider:

Fees and living arrangements

People entering a CCRC generally start in independent living, with their own living quarters.

In many cases, the cost of admission could be on par with buying a house in the same area. Based on data from US News & World Report, entrance fees average about $400,000 but can range from $100,000 to more than $1 million. The hefty price tag doesn’t mean you’re buying the property you live in; instead, the money helps cover part of the costs you may incur while living there and may be partially refundable to your estate after death.

Residents also pay monthly fees, which averaged about $4,200 for independent living as of the end of 2024. Monthly fees, which often increase about 4% per year to cover inflation, generally cover housing, meals, housekeeping, maintenance, transportation, and recreational activities. Depending on your contract, monthly fees may also cover certain healthcare costs.

Three types of CCRC contracts

Type A contracts are the costliest option. They have the steepest entrance fees and the highest starting monthly fees, which generally cover comprehensive long-term-care services and remain the same (except for annual inflation increases) even if you need a higher level of care.

Type B contracts have lower upfront costs than Type A contracts, and lower monthly fees when you first move in. They provide the same access to housing and residential services as Type A contracts, but not the same level of access to healthcare services. If a resident needs a higher level of care, the monthly fee grows to cover the higher cost. In exchange for lower monthly fees at move-in, people in these contracts take the risk that their costs could significantly increase.

Type C contracts generally have the lowest upfront costs and may not include any entrance fee. Instead, the monthly fee changes to reflect the market rate for the type of healthcare needed. Monthly fees start lower when a resident first enters independent living but can grow dramatically if they need higher-level care. As with Type B contracts, people in these contracts pay lower monthly fees when they move in but may end up paying significantly more.

Other factors to consider with contracts

The upfront payments included in Type A and Type B contracts are often partially refundable after you leave the facility or pass away. Though, there fundable portion of the fee varies.

Taxes are another factor to consider.

For Type A and Type B contracts, part of the entrance fee may be eligible for a one-time tax deduction as a prepaid medical expense. A portion of the monthly fees may also be eligible for annual deductions if they’re considered a prepaid medical expense. (In both cases, deductions are only allowed if the costs are more than 7.5% of adjusted gross income.) Facilities typically provide residents with specifics on the portion of fees that may be deductible each year.

Finding the right fit

ACCRC can help seniors maintain a happy, healthy, and rewarding life. But it’s imperative to make sure the facility is not only a good fit for your needs, but financially strong before signing a contract.

The National Continuing Care Residents Association offers resources that include a Consumer Guide, a Handbook on CCRC Finance, and a Model Bill of Rights.

This article was provided to The Associated Press by Morningstar. For more personal finance content, go to https://www.morningstar.com/personal-finance

Amy C. Arnott, CFA is a portfolio strategist for Morningstar.

Both directions of Minnesota State Highway 13 in Mendota Heights between Wachtler Avenue and Sylvandale Road will be closed beginning at 9:30 a.m. Monday and opening again at about 9:30 p.m. Friday, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

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The highway closure is so crews can do planting and erosion control work, MnDOT said in a press release on Friday.

Signed detours will direct motorists using Wachtler Avenue, Wentworth Avenue West, Dodd Road/Highway 149 and Smith Avenue South.

For more info and for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit 511mn.org.

For many college basketball experts, selecting the greatest players of the women’s poll era sounds easy — until they try it.

Of course, USC’s Cheryl Miller and Diana Taurasi of UConn are relatively easy choices. But narrowing the list from there gets tricky, inevitably leaving out talented players, including those who sharpened their skills during later professional careers.

FILE – Iowa guard Caitlin Clark makes a heart gesture after the team’s NCAA college basketball game against Michigan, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Clark broke the NCAA women’s career scoring record. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, File)

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the women’s basketball poll, The Associated Press assembled a list of the greatest players since the first poll in 1976. And in the spirit of the Top 25 rankings, the choices are certain to spark a debate and prompt plenty of handwringing among those who were in a position to vote.

“Nearly impossible,” Rebecca Lobo, a former UConn standout and NCAA champion, said of the assignment. “As I’m looking down the list, I’m like no-brainer, no-brainer, no-brainer. But then I’m like wait, there’s too many no-brainers and not enough slots.”

Lobo was one of 13 members of a panel of former players and AP sportswriters who voted on the greatest players. They were instructed to consider only the athletes’ college careers. Other factors, however, were up to their discretion, including championship pedigree, record-breaking statistics or simply their ability to will their teams to victory.

“It was extraordinarily difficult, especially, to try to hone in on a players’ college career and eliminate their pro career from your brain,” Lobo added. “There are going to be players who are Hall of Fame-caliber players who aren’t on the list.”

Joining Miller in the frontcourt on the first team are Breanna Stewart and Candace Parker. Caitlin Clark joins Taurasi as the guards.

Taurasi helped UConn win three national championships, including carrying the Huskies to the last two basically on her own during her junior and senior season.

“What an accomplishment and what an honor,” Taurasi said. “To think about the history of the game and where it’s gone. You always have to look at the past to go into the future. There’s so many great women who paved the way.”

Clark led Iowa to back-to-back NCAA championship game appearances while setting the career scoring record for any Division I women’s or men’s basketball player. Her play on the court, including her logo 3-point shots, helped lift women’s basketball to unprecedented levels of attention and energy during her last two seasons.

“Being named an AP All-American is one of the most storied honors in college sports,” Clark said. “It means a lot to be named to this all-time list alongside players I looked up to. It’s fun to think about what it would have been like if we all played together.”

The frontcourt of Miller, Stewart and Parker dominated the game during their eras.

Stewart won four NCAA championships at UConn and earned Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four all four years. Parker led Tennessee to back-to-back titles in 2007-08. Miller, one of the original NCAA greats, starred for USC and led the Trojans to consecutive championships in 1983-84.

“I grew up watching Cheryl Miller play,” Parker said. “She’d be No. 1. My dad was like ‘This is who we wanted you to be.’ I’m honored to be on this list with her.”

The second team’s backcourt is UConn’s Sue Bird and Virginia’s Dawn Staley. The former Cavaliers guard and current South Carolina coach is the only women’s player to win the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four on a losing team when her Cavaliers fell to Tennessee. Bird helped UConn win championships in 2000 and 2002.

The Lady Vols’ Chamique Holdsclaw, UConn’s Maya Moore and Lusia Harris of Delta State are on the second team frontcourt. Holdsclaw was a three-time NCAA champion and twice earned the tournament’s MOP honor. Moore was part of the Huskies’ dynasty that won a then-record 89 consecutive games. She helped the Huskies to consecutive titles in 2009-10.

Harris led Delta State to three AIAW titles in the mid-1970s and was the tournament’s MVP each year.

“I’d watch these two teams play and I’m not sure who would win,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said of the first and second teams selected by the panel.

Auriemma has four former players on the first two teams, but would enjoy looking to the bench at a group of reserves that includes:

UCLA’s Ann Meyers Drysdale, Kansas’ Lynette Woodard and Texas Tech’s Sheryl Swoopes in the backcourt. For the frontcourt, there is USC’s Lisa Leslie, Baylor’s Brittney Griner and South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson.

“I am always asked if players today could play back in the ‘70s or ’80s or vice versa. When you’re great in one generation, you’re going to be great in any generation,” said Meyers Drysdale, who also was a member of the voting panel. “I don’t think there’s any name that is wrong or there’s any name that is right. There’s so many great players that are going to be left off.”

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