Cover Letters

[PseudoSABR]

I'm applying for a new position, and I have to get it in tomorrow (unfortunately), and thus, I'm trying to write a cover letter, and the process just makes me hate myself/the application process.  

 

Drawing on TD's wisdom, anyone have any advice or pitfalls to avoid.

[NumberThree]

It's been so long since I've had to write a cover letter, but in the past I remember being told to keep it concise and to one page. I know I've had to read a lot of them over the years, and I tend to look for a brief synopsis of work experience and how it relates to the advertised position. So try to highlight your direct and specific experience that relates to the job advertised.

[Vanimal46]

Is a cover letter a requirement? During my time as a recruiter I can say not a single hiring manager I worked with looked at or cared about one.

[Mike Sixel]

I recently launched a site to help with this type of question, but I haven't gotten to that topic yet. By the time I do, it will be too late, I guess. But I'll look around today...

[PseudoSABR]

 

Is a cover letter a requirement? During my time as a recruiter I can say not a single hiring manager I worked with looked at or cared about one.

No, it's a requirement.  I'm applying to work as a clerk for a federal district judge, and all the candidates will be qualified, so setting yourself apart is pretty essential, and a cover letter is one way to do that.

[PseudoSABR]

 

 

I recently launched a site to help with this type of question, but I haven't gotten to that topic yet. By the time I do, it will be too late, I guess. But I'll look around today...

Thanks, Mike, but please don't go out of your way.  I feel like I've got something to work with, so I'm not in dire need.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Thanks, Mike, but please don't go out of your way.  I feel like I've got something to work with, so I'm not in dire need.

 

Ok, then I'll go back to writing about resumes, I guess....

[NumberThree]

 

No, it's a requirement.  I'm applying to work as a clerk for a federal district judge, and all the candidates will be qualified, so setting yourself apart is pretty essential, and a cover letter is one way to do that.

You might want to ask someone in your field for advice, because what we all might think you 'should do,' will differ. For instance, I've told you to keep it concise, because that's what I look for, but in your case it might be better to have some length. (I will rarely read past the first page of a cover letter, mostly because it's really unnecessary in my field.) So, ask before you do something that may not be the right course of action in your case. But one thing to keep in mind ... proofread!!! And then proof it again ... and have someone else proof it again, even down to the most seemingly insignicant details of your name and address, or the spelling of the addressee's name and address. (Yes, typos happen, but catch them if you can.) And spend time thinking about exactly what you want to express to set yourself apart and then do it in the most concise, yet ... enthusiastic (for lack of a better word) ... manner you can. Sometimes it's not just experience I'm looking for, but a 'good fit' for the organization. Write and rewrite. The cover letters I read are fairly basic ... but the details to grammar, spelling and composition are sometimes more important than the actual content. And you can use spell check ... but spell check doesn't help with the 'there, their, they're' mistakes/misuse. But try to use very specific experiences and knowledge you have that hones in on exactly what is being asked for. Yes, this will be on your resume, but find a way to directly match what it is you have to offer to what they need without listing your resume. In my experience of reading cover letters and resumes, there have times when a borderline resume has become an interview because of the cover letter ... and there have been times where that boderline resume has been a 'no' because of the cover letter. Too long and too many errors are usually the reasons. While I may not ever hire someone based solely on a cover letter, that letter could get your foot in the door and could make you memorable (hopefully in a very good way) to whomever is interviewing you. It may also spark an interview question or two.

[PseudoSABR]

 

You might want to ask someone in your field for advice, because what we all might think you 'should do,' will differ. For instance, I've told you to keep it concise, because that's what I look for, but in your case it might be better to have some length. (I will rarely read past the first page of a cover letter, mostly because it's really unnecessary in my field.) So, ask before you do something that may not be the right course of action in your case. But one thing to keep in mind ... proofread!!! And then proof it again ... and have someone else proof it again, even down to the most seemingly insignicant details of your name and address, or the spelling of the addressee's name and address. (Yes, typos happen, but catch them if you can.) And spend time thinking about exactly what you want to express to set yourself apart and then do it in the most concise, yet ... enthusiastic (for lack of a better word) ... manner you can. Sometimes it's not just experience I'm looking for, but a 'good fit' for the organization. Write and rewrite. The cover letters I read are fairly basic ... but the details to grammar, spelling and composition are sometimes more important than the actual content. And you can use spell check ... but spell check doesn't help with the 'there, their, they're' mistakes/misuse. But try to use very specific experiences and knowledge you have that hones in on exactly what is being asked for. Yes, this will be on your resume, but find a way to directly match what it is you have to offer to what they need without listing your resume. In my experience of reading cover letters and resumes, there have times when a borderline resume has become an interview because of the cover letter ... and there have been times where that boderline resume has been a 'no' because of the cover letter. Too long and too many errors are usually the reasons. While I may not ever hire someone based solely on a cover letter, that letter could get your foot in the door and could make you memorable (hopefully in a very good way) to whomever is interviewing you. It may also spark an interview question or two.

Thanks.  Good advice. 

[Mike Sixel]

The best advice is to use the cover letter to share some of your personality, which most likely does not come thru on your resume. Just give them a taste of yourself. Also, make it really clear why you want THIS job, and why you can help them (more important than why you want it, actually).

[PseudoSABR]

 

The best advice is to use the cover letter to share some of your personality, which most likely does not come thru on your resume. Just give them a taste of yourself. Also, make it really clear why you want THIS job, and why you can help them (more important than why you want it, actually).

That's more or less what I did; I discussed why I pursued the career I did (and why I changed careers), gave examples of my overcoming challenges at my current job, and why my experience, skillset, and attitude are a good fit for the position. 

 

Application submitted.  Now for the waiting game.

[Mike Sixel]

 

That's more or less what I did; I discussed why I pursued the career I did (and why I changed careers), gave examples of my overcoming challenges at my current job, and why my experience, skillset, and attitude are a good fit for the position. 

 

Application submitted.  Now for the waiting game.

 

good luck

[ashbury]

If there are a lot of applicants, then the reviewers will first be looking to weed out as many applicants as possible who don't meet the qualifications. You can't get the job during this round, you can only stave off elimination. So I'd still keep the cover letter concise, and use it to make one or two key points about why you are fully (or even unusually) qualified, and to express your enthusiasm for the job.

 

/ edit - I'm a few minutes late, I see. Good luck.

[PseudoSABR]

 

If there are a lot of applicants, then the reviewers will first be looking to weed out as many applicants as possible who don't meet the qualifications. You can't get the job during this round, you can only stave off elimination. So I'd still keep the cover letter concise, and use it to make one or two key points about why you are fully (or even unusually) qualified, and to express your enthusiasm for the job.

 

/ edit - I'm a few minutes late, I see. Good luck.

Thanks all the same.  And thankfully, I'm good friends with the person who currently holds the position, so I should survive the initial screening. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

I don't use them very often, but if you can tailor it a bit more to the job requirements, that's always a good thing. My employer would want to see something like "I did X and it resulted in Y" if that makes sense.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I don't use them very often, but if you can tailor it a bit more to the job requirements, that's always a good thing. My employer would want to see something like "I did X and it resulted in Y" if that makes sense.

 

that last part should be in your resume.....