Cover Letter Tips

bethsmiles · September 2013

BF has been applying for job after job after job after job for a few months now. He just found a job that sounds perfect for him so he is trying to make sure he puts his best foot forward on this one and he is revamping his cover letter.

Do any of you ladies have some tips I can pass along to him?

ETA: This is a post and run because I have to teach class soon but I'll be back!

CLoGreenEyes · September 2013

Take experiences from his past, his qualities, etc. and talk about why they prepared him to do well in the position he's applying for. The way I understand it, the resume is to summarize him, and the cover letter is to relate all of that to how he is the best one for the job.

I am super-rusty on writing them, but I remember THIS website from when I worked at my alma mater's career center. It has a checklist, examples, etc. that were very helpful to a lot of students I worked with. So tell him to check that out.

ETA: I think one of the most obvious and most over-looked parts of a cover-letter is to know WHERE and to WHOM you are sending it. Get the name of an actual person if he can, but if not at least know the position of the person who will be reading it. And spelling their names properly and getting their titles correct is very important; your BF doesn't want to be overlooked because he missed the wrong little detail.

queenofhearts1728 · September 2013

Personally, I'm a fan of the T letter. I know a lot of HR people hate it, but it can be easily skimmed for qualifications without all the filler of 'and this is why i'm a good fit, and this is how i meet this qualification, blahblahblah..."

Basically, you make a two-columned table after your introduction:

1st column: List the job posting requirements

2nd column: Explain (BRIEFLY) how you meet that requirement. If you don't meet the criteria, explain what experience you DO have that would make you a good fit.

For example" If the job requires X, Y, and Z certifications, you could say, "I don't have these specific certifications the listing states, but I've had x number of years experience working with those systems. Certifications can be obtained, if required."

ETA: image

500days · September 2013

I had to write many cover letters for teaching positions before (may not relate to his field at all though) and I remember hearing from principals and HR supervisors that a strong first sentence that shows personality is key. It's almost how a great hook to an article or story lures and interests the reader. That's all I got. Good luck to your BF!

CLoGreenEyes · September 2013

@queenofhearts1728, I have never seen that chart before! I like it! Haha, even though you just said HR folks dislike it, apparently. It seems like a very effective format to communicate your fit, but I guess it doesn't show off fancy writin' skills like transitions and opening sentences and closing sentences and blah blah blah.

But @bethsmiles, I bet it would be a good way for your BF to come up with material, even if he wants to write a traditional letter. Just fill out the table, put it in paragraph form, add the transitions, and BAM. Instant cover letter success.

queenofhearts1728 · September 2013

Amapola14 said:
@queenofhearts1728, I have never seen that chart before! I like it! Haha, even though you just said HR folks dislike it, apparently. It seems like a very effective format to communicate your fit, but I guess it doesn't show off fancy writin' skills like transitions and opening sentences and closing sentences and blah blah blah.

But @bethsmiles, I bet it would be a good way for your BF to come up with material, even if he wants to write a traditional letter. Just fill out the table, put it in paragraph form, add the transitions, and BAM. Instant cover letter success.

Lol you don't need "fancy" writing skills. You just need to be able to write concisely and correctly. I used a T letter and got great results.. The only time I don't use one is when I apply for an in-company position because I know HR will actually read the entire letter. HR not liking it is hearsay for me as I've never gotten definitive proof from folks I've spoken with. But I think whether or not they like it, it sets you apart from the flock.

bethsmiles · September 2013

Hmm...the T letter sounds interesting but I'm not sure he wants to risk doing something HR people don't like for what is essentially his dream job at this stage in the game. I'll pass it on to him though.

labro · September 2013

@bethsmiles Writing a T letter may also help your BF get his thoughts organized and provide a general outline for a more formal cover letter. I have no other advice...I fucking hate writing cover letters and cry and whine and bitch whenever I have to. When I was writing one for my new job I think I sent it off to three very wonderful and patient people who helped me out A LOT.

queenofhearts1728 · September 2013

lmhollister said:

@bethsmiles Writing a T letter may also help your BF get his thoughts organized and provide a general outline for a more formal cover letter. I have no other advice...I fucking hate writing cover letters and cry and whine and bitch whenever I have to. When I was writing one for my new job I think I sent it off to three very wonderful and patient people who helped me out A LOT.

This is exactly why i like them!

cu97tiger · September 2013

@livleighton probably has some good tips. I also like @queenofhearts1728 's table... that's a great way to make it really clear that you have the qualities and experience they are looking for.

CASK85 · September 2013

@bethsmiles - is he applying for lab tech jobs still? Academic science norms are a little different than the rest of the world. I may have some specific insights. Otherwise, I don't know. lol

bethsmiles · September 2013

@cshiano - Yes he is! I was hoping you'd pop in on this thread!

CASK85 · September 2013

People who run labs want to know that you have a strong work ethic, have many of the skills needed to do the tasks for the project assigned and if you don't know specifically how to do something that you have a desire and ability to learn them quickly. They also (usually) like to hire people who desire to continue in the field rather than looking at the position as a terminal one (because those who want to continue on are more likely to be highly motivated in order to get a good recommendation for grad school etc.). That T thing would likely confuse the hell out of a scientist. Showing that you've read papers (and are interested in the ideas presented therein) published by the lab is also a good way to gain favor b/c scientists like to have the ego stroked and it shows a level of intelligence beyond just being a pair of hands to do the lab dishes.

Do you want to PM me the job posting? I can try to be more specific.

bethsmiles · September 2013

Thanks so much @cshiano. I actually don't have the exact job posting but your advice is super helpful!

Cover Letter Tips

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