Ah, the dreaded cover letter. Boring to write, difficult to get right, and you’re usually preoccupied by other things (such as the portfolio and resume, which are also really important). Unfortunately, your cover letter is a company’s first exposure to you, and it determines whether your application is trashed or fast-tracked to the company’s to-hire list.
The status of the cover letter is changing in the Web industry. While a well-formed cover letter still has a place, some companies believe that Web folk who rely on this archaic tool never make it to the next round. But what do I know? Let’s hear instead from some great Web and design agencies to get their advice on creating a great cover letter!
You may be interested in the following related posts:
How To Create A Great Web Design CV and Résumé?
Business Card Design: Better Than A Plain Ol’ Business Card
Invoice Like A Pro: Examples and Best Practices
The Art And Science Of The Email Signature
[By the way, did you know there is a brand new Smashing Wordpress Book? Push WordPress past its limits!]
The Old Way: Copy, Paste… Personality-Free
Anyone who has ever recruited for a job has received “that letter.” And it’s always the same: usually a “Dear Sir/Madam,” followed by some generic schpiel about how the applicant will fit in well with the company, no matter what the role or company. The text is boring, as if copied from a “How to get a job” pamphlet from 1980. The companies I spoke to overwhelmingly hated form letters. So, first and foremost, personalize your email or letter. Secondly, tailor the letter to that company. Here is the advice of some companies on personalizing cover letters.
No Sirs or Madams!
Addressing an actual person is so important. This was by far the most passionately made point by every company I spoke with. Companies want to know that you have taken the time to personalize your email. If you can’t find a name to address (which happens 10% of the time) or you’re not sure whom to address, at least use something like, “To the creative director at [company name]” (don’t forget to get the title and company right before sending!).
We trash generic inquiries (i.e. form letters) automatically. If you don’t care to put in a little effort to tailor your communication to my company, I sure don’t care to read it. Why do you want to work for Particular instead of some other company? How did you find us? Some indication that you’ve read the Particular or Matter websites is a good start.
— Ash Arnett, PARTICULAR
I want to click delete if I see “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To whom it may concern.” If you actually read our blog and mention one of the posts in your email, I know that you actually took the time to determine whether you liked what our organization is about or whether you just added our email address to your Bcc field. It’s not hard to find out who you’re talking to if you actually take time to browse our website.
— Josh Cramer, Cramer Dev
The worst thing someone could do is send over a generic copy-and-pasted email in which they’ve just changed your name or company name. You’d be amazed how many people do this. It’s an instant turn-off. You find people referencing things that have nothing to do with your company or any sort of job role you have available.
— Andy Ashburner, Caffeinehit
Bcc Is Not Your Friend
We’ve all done it. We want to save time, so we mass email many people by “secretly” blind-copying them. Friends don’t really like it that much to begin with, so what makes you think a company would take you seriously?
Technology gives you power to Bcc 100 email addresses or more at a time. That is dangerous. Sadly, too many applicants send one email that is clearly being posted to many agencies and is not personalized at all. For me, getting a good job is not a numbers game. From greater effort springs reward. I can still remember the intros of all the people I hired.
— Mark McDermott, Codegent
Really? You’re Real?
Showing personality, showing that you haven’t just copied the cover letter of your “Web designer” template, scores big points with employers. Demonstrating personality with real examples makes you even more real.
We look for clues that begin to reveal the candidate’s personality based on the tone and voice of the letter, as well as layout (which is actually more important to see in their resumes for some of the more design-oriented roles we have).
— Boris Chen, Extractable
For a CSS designer, rather than just hearing you say, “I’m crazy about CSS,” we’re looking for your blogging or tweeting about the latest CSS3 developments and seeing you active in communities and forums. A prime example is that some of our team members are ALA authors or even have been on Smashing Magazine. Those things show you’re passionate.
— Dave Rosen, XHTMLized.com |
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