The No BS Guide to Cover Letters
Cover letters: the scourge of the job application process. Writing them can be tedious, frustrating and mind-numbing. Struggling to condense your experience and trying to convince employers to hire you in a short amount of space starts to become overwhelming—especially when applying for multiple jobs. Not to mention–it can feel weird trying to sell yourself. It’s understandable why we opt to take the easy way out. (1) Format a generic cover letter (2) Press send (3) Repeat.
Source: GIPHY
To be honest, many recruiters don’t even pay attention to cover letters and some don’t even request them anymore. Depending on the position, some companies ask for direct work samples instead. For example, in a social media marketing position, they may ask for a link to your Twitter or your personal blog to serve as an attachment to your abilities. Some even think that cover letters are outdated, that the application process will evolve, and CV’s will become obsolete.
But, alas, we live in a world where cover letters are still obligatory for many positions. While opinions differ on their bearing in the application process, they still can be used as a tool to stand-out among candidates. In highly competitive positions, a great cover letter can be the determining factor of whether or not you get the job. Or maybe you don’t have direct experience in the industry, but you do have relatable skills. The cover letter can be instrumental in conveying that to potential employers. This is your chance to express your personality, passion, and say everything you can’t explicitly state in your resume.
Avoid the McCover Letter: Borrowing Parke Muth’s analogy for mundane college admissions essays he dubbed the McEssay, the ubiquitous McCover letters are generic cover letters peppered with clichéd phrases (i.e. I’m a highly motivated individual, a team player, etc.), really have no memorable qualities and are indistinguishable from one another. Like a Big Mac, no matter whether you’re in Alaska or Virginia, you can pretty much guarantee it’ll taste like a Big Mac. They’re all the same. Customizing cover letters can be tiresome and time-consuming, but putting your authentic self into it can make the process less boring for the potential employer who will read it. I’m super guilty of re-using cover letters because it saved time. Here are some ways to approach writing your cover letter that completely changed my entire experience.
- Fake it ‘till you make it: Alexandra Franzen, in her article for The Muse, encourages us in our cover letters to pretend that the job is ours, the employers adore us and our ideas, and write from a place of confidence and passion—not from a place of anxiety and the need to impress. She provides a helpful template that gives you an idea of what this type of cover letter looks like when applied to your own letter.
Source: GIPHY
Act like it’s an acceptance speech: The Glassdoor Blog’s approach to writing a cover letter is similar to the idea listed above, as it advises using confidence and pretending you’ve already got the job in the bag. For your next cover letter, channel your inner Meryl Streep at the Oscar’s and write it as if you’re giving an acceptance speech. You’re writing in a confident voice and framing your experience and interest in the company anecdotally.
“ ‘When you jump into writing your cover letter, shift your mindset to as if you’re already hired. Pretend you’re in the break room and one of your coworkers or manager asks you why you chose to work at their company. This is a great way to show your interest in your cover letter.’
Example: When I discovered Accounting Solutions was hiring, I knew I had to apply. I’ve been waiting to find a company where I feel like I can make a difference while working as an accountant. Not only are your clients awesome, but the overall mission of your company is something I believe in, too.”
Drop banal, overused phrases + words: Loosen up your language a little. Stuffy, stilted language like “To Whom It May Concern, I’d like to express my interest in applying for the…” is devoid of personality. Instead of trying to sound overly formal, try to find that sweet balance between personable and professional. I love these cover letter intro examples that can help with starting the cover letter off with personality. Also, remember to try to match the tone of your company. Some companies use a more formal tone, some a fun, start-up culture vibe. For the serious suit and tie positions, they may not appreciate quirky, cheeky, humor. Be yourself (at least your best presentable & professional self)!
Don’t write an essay or go into your entire biography: A wall of long text almost always causes recruiters’ eyes to glaze over immediately. Keep it succinct. Your cover letter should be nothing but juicy, meaty, essential information. Get straight to the point and aim for your cover letter to be about 3 paragraphs. Definitely no longer than one page.
Source: GIPHY
[No excuses] Do your research: Recruiters can smell a recycled cover letter a mile away. It’s SO obvious when candidates haven’t looked at the company website or performed even cursory research on our company. I call these cover letters the horoscopes of cover letters: generic, vague complimentary descriptions that are applicable to everyone. Being able to reference aspects of the company that excite you about the possibility of working there is better than a superficial comment on how working there will be a mutually beneficial experience or how you look forward to contributing to the company. Conducting research allows you to identify what their needs are. Your stealthy work will pay off when you’re able to show how you’re going to solve their problems and be an asset to their company. Remember, they need you just as much as you need them.
Kill the fluff: Cover letters should be thoroughly edited. Mercilessly scour your letter for unnecessary words and sentences that dull your words. After you effectively purge your cover letter of boilerplate phrases and lackluster sentences, you will have a more potent cover letter.
Don’t repeat your resume: Instead, pick one or two experiences or projects to expand on and connect them to the position you’re applying for. This makes it clear to the employer you understand the position and why you are a great fit for the job.
Good luck with your search!
About the Author
Kiara Moore is a writer with a penchant for alliteration, fervent fan of Lost who still can't accept that it's over, voracious reader, lover of literature, and Netflix enthusiast.
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