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Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Starting off a cover letter...?
I usually start off a cover letter with something like...
"
I understand from your
listing on site XXX that you are
in the market for a YYY (my profession). I would like to submit my application for this position..." (and I go on from there)
This time, I cold-emailed a general info@ address of a place that I'd like to work, and they sent my note of interest on to the person I should contact. She emailed me back and requested a CL and resume. Clearly, my "standard" CL opening won't apply here, but I can't think of a good alternative.
Ideas?
Re: Starting off a cover letter...?
Maybe just take out the first sentence?
This probably doesn't work in every industry, but my cover letters seem to be more effective when I don't start them this way. Instead I try to think of something a little more creative that isn't exactly like all the other cover letters they get.
askamanager.com has some interesting posts on cover letters. It might be helpful.
GL!
I agree that you need to take out or change your first sentence. Mine starts like this:
I am writing in reference to the position of XXX as advertised in/on XXXX. I am confident that the combination of my experience and education will be an excellent match for this position.
I agree that your opening sounds passive.
I usually write mine something like, "I'm writing to apply for the position of X as advertised Y."
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
Amazing - I'm so glad you posted this. I am currently trying to write my very first ever cover letter. I hate it more than anything.
Any more tips?
A CL has 3 separate parts: 1) an introductory section stating what position you're applying for and how you found out about it; 2) reasons outlining why you're perfect for the job (not a regurgitation of your resume, just highlights); 3) a closing section that also indicates how they can contact you.
Easy peasy. Use as many keywords from the job listing as you can.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
A couple of years ago, I got a tip from the amazing Cathie Black (former President of Hearst Magazines). She said in a speech that no one cares where you found the job. Start the cover letter with a sentence about what you know, then a sentence about what you can do. So that's what I've been doing I've been consistently praised for cover letters since then.
Here's an opening I recently wrote for an e-marketing position:
Effective email marketing requires an acute knowledge of the goals the organization wishes to have in each message sent and the ability to remain aware of each message?s return on investment in brand strategy and knowledge for the target audience. As JOB TITLE with COMPANY, I will build on the success of your email marketing program, creating effective strategies surrounding both internal and external messages to increase effectiveness and ensure brand consistency.
In essence, here's the format:
Effective (main skill the job requires) requires (important piece of knowledge/experience you'll bring to the position). As (job title) with (company), I will (what will you do that will make you the best fit for the job).
Loretta is entirely right. I've also heard it put this way: Strength, Talent, Passion. one paragraph for each. What strengths do you bring that are unique? Why is your talent invaluable to the organization? And why are you passionate about this job and this company?