This week you begin learning the art of writing an effective cover letter. Along with your resume, the cover letter is one of the ways in which you make a strong case for an employer to interview you. There are many approaches to composing a cover letter, but most suggest that its most important aspect is how you begin. Should you tell a compelling personal anecdote, a story that helps define you? Some employment experts endorse this approach. Read what the Poynter website has to say about cover letters:
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=77&aid=164873
What do you think? Is there a personal story you can tell in your cover letter that will help draw your reader into the narrative?
I don't know. We've talked so much about how employers simply glance at resumes. Do they spend more time reading cover letters? I think the advice from Poynter is good for a person who actually has a compelling story to tell. But, like in journalism, if the story is not there, it's not there. If you spend a paragraph or two writing about something that is not really that important, I would think the employer would feel like their time was wasted.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like I have no stories to tell. It's just that I'm not sure how I can incorporate them into the jobs I'll be applying to. (???)
I wonder the same thing as Sybil. If employers are getting slews of applications for one job, are they really going to take the time to read through, or even skim, each person's cover letter to see if they can get a glimpse of personality, or will they decide getting that at the interview is more efficient once they decide the applicant is qualified? I do believe that a cover letter is important, and often required, but I'm also thinking maybe that's an extra way to weed people out. Who has the ambition to go all the way and present a cover letter? Right now, I'm more inclined to tell a more generic story about my motivation and drive to succeed, as well as hard work despite my experience, in my cover letter that can be well substituted for many positions, though this might not be the smartest move on my part.
ReplyDeleteWriting a cover letter is quite difficult, especially if you don’t have an amazing story to tell. I do believe it’s very important to write an effective one because it’s the first thing a potential employer will see. I’m leaning more toward making myself sound appealing and hopefully I’ll stand out from the rest of the applicants. I’m wondering what kind of “stories” are acceptable and how much should you reveal in a cover letter? If I do think of a story to tell, who says it’s going to impress or grab the attention of the reader? I might think it’s interesting, but that doesn’t mean they will.
ReplyDeleteScott Bennett recommends a short cover letter. The example in the book only had 4 sentences. My personal anecdote was that I've always wanted to be a writer. That's it. I left an open invitation to contact me with any questions they may have.
ReplyDeleteI think if you have a personal anecdote (like the girl wanting to be a journalist after studying abroad) that it should be mentioned. But shortly, in one sentence. She could say "During a semester abroad I decided to become a journalist." The statement is short and clear. It also leaves room for questions such as "where did you go?" "What did you do?"
All of us have reasons for the career field we're choosing. I think employers want to know that they have a person who is gung-ho about working for them.
I think the thing that is most compelling in the cover letter is the relationship you have with the company. For me, before I send out a resume for a particular job I am going to stalk the **** out of them. LOL.=p What I mean is, I am going to do my research, talk to people who work at the company and try to create a relationship because I want the people I talked with to be on my cover letter. Like Silvia said, do not write, "I learned of this opportunity through the Career Services Office." Instead write, "I am writing in reply to the _______ position that you informed me of last week at _____________. " I don't know, something of this nature.
ReplyDeleteI think that I have a great story. But it isn't a story that can fit into one page. I would love to hit the high points, but I am afraid that just as Dr. Silvia responded when he heard only a portion of my story, a potential employer would respond the same way. The truth of the matter is that my educational path has been rocky to non-existent prior to college level. That sounds really bad, but on the same note, I think it is also my highest speaking achievement to graduate college without having any prior formal education. So, this is somewhat confusing. How do I make myself look determined and persistent without looking shady and like I cut corners? P.S. Promise, no corners were cut. I’m just old and it has taken me forever... I should probably leave that out.
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ReplyDeleteI think it's best to customize the cover letter for the specific job you're applying for. I check the job description and include certain key words they used. I also include a few of my skills/qualities that I think would be ideal for what they're looking for (demonstrate you have the desired qualifications). Explain what you can do for them!
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with starting out the letter addressing the particular part of journalism that you studied or connected with. I think that you should base your letter not off of your own story and educational experience, but instead base it off of what the place of hire is looking for. Make sure only your related work/school experiences are in the letter, and maybe add a few transitional skills here and there.
ReplyDeleteI feel that a personal story in a cover letter is necessary. Most resumes are typically boring and similar to others therefore, including a personal story in your cover letter will help you stand out from the people who are applying for the same position. Many people feel that a cover letter is not important and that employers don't pay much attention to them but, every company is different. You really never know who is or who isn't reading your cover letter so it's best to make yours interesting and unique.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading resumes everyday for the past year +, I can say that, at least where I work, we really don't look at cover letters. With online applications becoming more popular, I think cover letters are becoming less necessary.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I am sure there are still some companies that look at cover letters when making hiring decisions. Unless you have some amazing story, I really think that the best way to impress a future employer is to show that you have researched the company and have the skills and experience that match the job's requirements. For most people, I think that a short cover letter would probably be most effective. (I actually feel like the one that I made is too long.)
Personal stories that interesting enough to catch an employer's eye are rare. But if you think you have one, go for it. I believe in most cases you should write a short, concise message as to how your skills match the job description. Even though we are writing about ourselves, be careful about using "I" in abundance. You dont want to come off as gloating or yearning for attention from the employer. Maybe if a story is a bit too personal, leave it out. If an employer likes what he/she sees, they will get to know you more personally through the interviewing and (hopefully) hiring process.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sybil and Katrinka. Bosses will probably not read every cover letter. They will probablly read the cover letters of the people they are considering to hire. I do not think it is a necesity but that is probably because I have nothing to put in one. I do think a cover letter can be very beneficial if you have something great to put in it. I agree with the article an ancidote is probably a great thing to put in a cover letter.
ReplyDeleteI tend to take the minimalist approach -less is more. As someone who has shifted thru resumes, I know first hand how quickly they are browsed. For someone just starting out (applying for entry and less experienced positions), I would say stick to just a quick blurb of your abilities that apply to the specific job. Later, when the position you are seeking is more competitive and employers need more to compare you with other candidates, I think it would be good to be more narrative in the cover letter -YET i still would say forget the sob/heart warming stories and just pump up your talent. You're applying for a job, not homecoming king/queen or government aid.
ReplyDeleteCover letters should focus on two elements: highlighting the applicant’s qualifications for the job, and expressing enthusiasm in the position.
ReplyDeleteBennett recommends that cover letters be short, pinpointing the key elements that make the applicant perfect for the job.
Cover letters should also be customized to each job applied for. By bringing a genuine interest for the position to the table (hopefully) iring managers will be impressed by the personal connection to what their company/organization has to offer.
My story is long, and who I am cannot be defined on a piece of paper. However, if I can captivate the reader of my application with my cover letter, then I am more hopeful of my chances of landing the job.
I must agree with Sybil and Katrinka. Who is really going to spend time reading your cover letter? If I was hiring, I would skim through the resume looking for keywords. However, Dr. Silvia mentioned last class that most resumes are plugged into computer programs that search for keywords. So maybe a if cover letters are placed in this program also, it will give the applicant a better chance of using one of those keywords. More words = more chances.
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