WRITING - Cover Letters
We all know that, for several reasons, you're supposed to tailor your cover letter to suit the job for which you're applying. A generic 'cover-all' letter is easily spotted by those who deal with incoming applications, even one that drops in the company's name in a 'strategic location'.And, let's be honest, we have all had our fill of those 'dynamic and resourceful', 'hard working team players' and those who profess to be able to 'think outside of the box'.
Well, if you can 'think out of the box', why is your cover letter a carbon copy of dozens of others than landed in my inbox? Why didn't you take this opportunity to show me how far out of that box your thinking processes can take you?
But there's a fine line, isn't there? How far should you go with your personalisation and presentation of your true self?
Surely, your cover letter for a position as CFO of Simpsin, & Simpson - Lawyers since 1807, should read (and feel) completely different to the letter for CFO of DynaGame Solutions - Social Gaming for Teens.
Dear Mr Jenkins,
I wish to be considered for the position of Lion Tamer as advertised on your recent LinkedIn post.
As you can see by my attached CV, I have had extensive experience in feline mastery, including three years as Head Tamer at Bloggins Circus.
I hope to hear from you soon,
Yours sincerely,
GrumpyBum.
It's a perfectly acceptably 'standard' cover letter. But, with a role like this, could you, should you go further? Is this the moment to stand out and shine? Do you display your individuality and unique character here?
Dear Mr Jenkins,
Have no fear! My whip and chair are here at the ready, and I can assure you that your taming issues are solved. You can read all the 'blah-blah' about my experience in the attached CV. Better still, feed it to the lions and let me come along and show you how I interact with them, how I can work a crowd and how I still have 10 fingers and 4 limbs. I even have my own top hat!
I must dash, there are a few loose leopards in the street that require my attention...
Have a whip-crackingly fantastic day,
GrumpyBum
OK, you're sure to grab someone's (hopefully Mr Jenkins) attention, but you also risk being dismissed as a complete nutter?
So tell me, how far should you go? In what situations should you, not just say, but be more dynamic and when should you risk the chance of losing a position by sharing your true self in your cover letter?
I'd like to hear your opinions. In the meantime, please excuse me, I have a temperamental tiger to deal with...
Comments (29)
Fortunately, i have a job.
While you were running after leopards, the blogging circus lioness have escaped the cage and eaten few sheep and goats.
Glad your fingers and limbs are intact, but would have been more appealing or impressive if they weren't.
I am glad to inform you that your CV is fed to the goats, but not lions as you insisted. May I take this opportunity to thank you for making my job easier by suggesting that.
Good luck in your future endeavours!
LinkedIn has taken over cv...cover lether. ...reference portion very well.
Btw I really do enjoy your blogs.
I am applying for the position of wife as advertised by you on the forums.
I am an unenthusiastic housekeeper and an apathetic baker.
I will never cut your corns or your toenails, wash your jocks or iron your shirts.
Neither will I do the housekeeping budgets, pay the bills or any DIY.
However, I will ensure that you are never bored, are kept active, eat healthily and get regular jiggy-jiggy.
Although none of this was in the job description, apart from the jiggy-jiggy (and frankly I was mildly perturbed to say the least at some of the positions you mentioned under the 'desirable criteria'), I still hope that you will consider my application seriously.
I did not enclose a recent photo as requested, as I believe selfies to be the most odious abomination of modern times.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Molly B
I have limited lion-taming experience but have been a blogging member of the Connecting Singles website for just over 3 years now which I believe would be useful and relevant experience.
I also have friends and relatives born under Leo, and own a cat.
I have attached my CV which shows I am adaptable, quick to learn, and painstaking in the performance of my duties.
Thank you for your consideration.
Seriously, though, I applied for a job last night which required me to do a TEFL course so I could teach English as a foreign language. I said eagerly in my covering letter that I was already halfway through the course and had got 100% on the module just completed. The application took me automatically to two vital questions.
1) do you have a high school diploma, or the equivalent
2) do you speak English
Simply being a native speaker is enough to open any doors
And to be honest I've learned a surprising amount about English. It's a remarkably complicated language. Who knew?
Are Irish people considered native speakers?
Fortunately, i have a job. wine
If you get laid with a political fish, do you get the top jobs?
Have you tried lying on the interviewer???
While you were running after leopards, the blogging circus lioness have escaped the cage and eaten few sheep and goats.
Glad your fingers and limbs are intact, but would have been more appealing or impressive if they weren't.
I am glad to inform you that your CV is fed to the goats, but not lions as you insisted. May I take this opportunity to thank you for making my job easier by suggesting that.
Good luck in your future endeavours!
I'd give you the bird, but the tigers ate all my fingers. Instead, I give you the middle stump!
LinkedIn has taken over cv...cover lether. ...reference portion very well.
Btw I really do enjoy your blogs.beer
LI is good, but I still insist on CVs. Cover letters are less important to me.
Thanks for your kind words
I have limited lion-taming experience but have been a blogging member of the Connecting Singles website for just over 3 years now which I believe would be useful and relevant experience.
I also have friends and relatives born under Leo, and own a cat.
I have attached my CV which shows I am adaptable, quick to learn, and painstaking in the performance of my duties.
Thank you for your consideration.
Your lack of experience and knowledge is precisely what we are looking for and I am happy to offer you the position of lion
dinnertamer with immediate effect.OK, I understand. Tru won't thank you and I guess Lookin' will be dumping Krema if he thinks you're available again.
I just hope you can live with the emotional carnage your decision has wrought.
Shall we say...
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Now?