Let's face it, we all know that writing cover letters suck. No one likes to write them, and no one likes to read them. That is, unless you have the golden cover letter that every employer dreams of opening. What in the world does that look like you ask? Let me help you out with a simple formula.
Every time you go to write one of those dreaded things they call cover letters, think to yourself: I'm great, this company is great, let's be great together.
I'm great.
Let me break it down for you. Yes, you're team-oriented, creative, hard-working, but come on now. Be better than the buzzwords. What makes you stand out? Keep it short, sweet and to the point and let your skills speak for themselves. Don't google buzzwords, instead look at the job description and see what skills and qualities they are looking for in an employee and put those into your cover letter.
This company is great.
You wouldn't be taking the time to write a cover letter for a company that you didn't think was great, right? Let them know it! Yes, they want to know about you, but they also want to hear that you know about them. Personalize it a little bit. "I really loved the advertising work that you did with Taco Bell. I love a good advertisement as much as I love the new waffle taco." A little bit goes a long way and everybody always loves hearing how great they are.
Let's be great together.
The true test of greatness lies right here. How well do you fit in with this company? What do you have to offer them that other candidates don't? Show them that you have something to offer the company, not just how they would benefit you.
Make sure you have a consistent voice that fits with the company that you are applying to. If they have a more casual voice, don't stiffen it up. Oh, and keep it short. Try and keep it under 250 words if you can. If you were a busy hiring manager, would you want to read a page long email filled with buzzwords? And don't be afraid to let a colleague or professor read it and make sure you edit, edit, edit. Just remember, the more you write these, the easier it will become.
Every time you go to write one of those dreaded things they call cover letters, think to yourself: I'm great, this company is great, let's be great together.
I'm great.
Let me break it down for you. Yes, you're team-oriented, creative, hard-working, but come on now. Be better than the buzzwords. What makes you stand out? Keep it short, sweet and to the point and let your skills speak for themselves. Don't google buzzwords, instead look at the job description and see what skills and qualities they are looking for in an employee and put those into your cover letter.
This company is great.
You wouldn't be taking the time to write a cover letter for a company that you didn't think was great, right? Let them know it! Yes, they want to know about you, but they also want to hear that you know about them. Personalize it a little bit. "I really loved the advertising work that you did with Taco Bell. I love a good advertisement as much as I love the new waffle taco." A little bit goes a long way and everybody always loves hearing how great they are.
Let's be great together.
The true test of greatness lies right here. How well do you fit in with this company? What do you have to offer them that other candidates don't? Show them that you have something to offer the company, not just how they would benefit you.
Make sure you have a consistent voice that fits with the company that you are applying to. If they have a more casual voice, don't stiffen it up. Oh, and keep it short. Try and keep it under 250 words if you can. If you were a busy hiring manager, would you want to read a page long email filled with buzzwords? And don't be afraid to let a colleague or professor read it and make sure you edit, edit, edit. Just remember, the more you write these, the easier it will become.