I've been trying to write a cover letter for a job at the college for the last three days. I think I've spent a grand total of 9 hours just staring at the computer screen and the farthest I've gotten is writing my name, address, the date, and a greeting. I have written one opening sentence but I quickly erased it because it was too normal, too stiff.
I can't even tell you how many jobs I have applied for in the past 18 months - hundreds probably. It occurred to me that perhaps I need a new, fresh cover letter that will get me noticed (I've sent two or three different versions of my cover letter for every single one of them). The only problem is, I have no idea what to write. I've researched "great cover letter" on the Internet and have looked at dozens of samples.
However, I still haven't figured out how to set myself apart from everyone else while also remaining professional (because I could certainly write a cover letter about how great I am if I didn't have to stick to the traditional cover letter template).
It appears that good-job-getter is not a skill I should list on my resume.
10 comments:
A friend of mine once wrote a very professional cover letter, had it laminated, and then cut it into puzzle pieces. The entire thing was sent out in a manila envelope. Everyone thought he was crazy but he got the job because of his creativity.
I'm not suggesting that you do this - only that if you are yourself, then you can't go wrong.
I'm with Holli. Sometimes being unconventional is what will get you the job. Write your own cover letter detailing your many layers of awesomeness and see where that gets you.
PS: Your book arrived and I've been reading it. Great stuff! Can I mail it to you so you can autograph it?
Have you thought about scented paper? Oh, yeah, you are right. That wouldn't be good if the HR guys pulled out your resume and they were all allergic to the scent and you sent them all into anaphylactic shock. However, they really would remember you that way.
Well, I was a recruiter for awhile and I read some pretty boring and some pretty funny cover letters. I think it really depends on the type of position that you are applying for if you want to get really creative, like the puzzle thingy previously mentioned. OK..Cafe Rio:
Pork:
6 lb pork loin roast (I use 2.5 lbs and it works just the same)
Place pork in slow cooker and half cover with water and cook on low for 5 hours
Marinade:
2 C Brown Sugar
1 jar of Salsa
1 can coke
After the 5 hours of slow cooking, drain the water out and pour marinade over and cook an additional 3 hours on low.
Theres your Pork. Add anything you want to the salad of course, black/pinto beans, tortilla chips, melted cheese on the tortilla (YUM).
Dressing:
1 C Mayo
1 Package of Ranch Dressing mix
1/2 Avacado
1/4 tsp of Cayenne Pepper
1/2 Can of Tomatillos (this made the dressing pretty hot....John didn't think so, but I did. My sister can't find cans of tomatillos, so she used real ones - about 3)
1 C Buttermilk
1 can of diced chilies
Juice of 1 lime
Mix all in blender and store in fridge
Rice:
Chop up cilantro (as much as you want)
A little garlic (optional)
Rice (as much as you want - I used 2 C)
Juices of 3-4 limes
Throw it all into rice cooker
Perhaps you should include a dollar with your letter or maybe a photo of your winning smile. How could they resist that?
Goodluck Erin!
I recommend going over to the college, talk to the person with hiring authority (not HR) but someone from that department and introduce yourself.
Ask if they have 15 minutes to ask about them and about the job. You're not there asking to be hired, but getting to know what the job entails. When they see you, they can put a face with the name.
One thing I found helpful during my 4 months of job searching, informational interviews are very helpful in getting a formal interview.
Informational interviews are cold calling, or dropping by unannounced and asking the person with HIRE power if they had 15 minutes you can talk to them and learn more about the job or department. You might even check your local network of influence to see if they know anyone you can talk to (again, you are not asking for a job) to learn more about the company. You may even try asking them to review your cover letter, or resume.
Let me know if you are interested in learning more about conducting succesful informational interviews and I can send you some info.
Unfortunately for me, I have no local circle of influence! And, I also currently have a job so dropping in on people during the middle of the day is not exactly an option.
Sending a dollar would be better. Or perhaps, I could find out their favorite food and have it delivered compliments of ME. ORRRR....I could run over there during lunch, find their car, and cover it with a giant picture of me. That'll get their attention!
I find that roasting my tomatillos makes them extra juicy and yummy in my dressing. Make sure you peel them first. I also do about 4 cloves of garlic in the rice. And I use an entire avocado, because, hey, why not, right? The leftover pork is freaking delicious if you mix it with a bag of shredded broccoli slaw mix and wrap it in egg rolls, fry them up and dip in some teriyaki sauce. MMMMM... Makes me hungry just thinking about it!
Man, I love me some avacado!! I used to not like them - then I figured out they were high fat and now we're inseparable.
I've got a few 100 yens left, will that do?
Keep it up! You'll get there one day...
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