I’m sweating at my laptop, frantically skimming through my credentials. “Bachelor’s degree…OK OK…must be at least 12…able to work part-time…please attach resume and cover letter.” I grind my teeth in frustration. Do you need two references for her, a resume and a cover letter? For a part-time job for beginners? I hate this.
The dichotomy of my last semester of college is eating away at me. On the one hand, I’m ready to finish my last class and finally be free from academic distractions, which I’m obviously grateful for. On the other hand, what comes after graduating from university is the terrifying reality of having to enter the workforce. It became a cat and mouse game between me and my employer. Sometimes it feels scarier than my four years at university. I wish that wasn’t the case.
I have a love-hate relationship with cover letters for job applications. Frankly, it’s almost hate, but I’m warming up to them. Job hunting can be difficult in its own way, and choosing a personal letter for almost every job can be a pain.
It feels like fluff. I use filler words and try to sound less like a robot and more like a person who actually wants and needs the job. I like cover letters. We understand that a cover letter is a way to appeal to a hiring manager. These show that you are more than the experience on your resume and prove that you are a person with passion and purpose. Sharing your personality may make you a more attractive candidate.
“Experience”, “Skills”, “Determination”, “Team Player”, “Fundamental”, “Excellent”, “Great.” The list could go on forever. When I find an adjective that intrigues me enough, I then have second thoughts about whether it sounds too pretentious. Employers will take one look at that and think, “Look, this applicant is trying to be themselves.” do not have. Next! “ Sometimes I wonder if corporate recruiters even read every cover letter, but I still feel signs of impostor syndrome.
Also, how long does a cover letter need to be? I found someone on Reddit saying 3 paragraphs. I don’t know who’s who, but 3 paragraphs seems too short. Other career guidance websites tell you to fill in the entire paper. I already have a college education, but I don’t plan on writing an essay for every job I apply for.
How many times have you entered your contact information? Currently, my own cover letter template has three places: a header in the top right corner, a conclusion paragraph, and a signature. Three times in one document. Needless to say, it’s already on my resume and another application I filled out. If you have trouble finding that information in a candidate’s application, you have some serious questions for the hiring manager.
I realized that the word “love” is a strong word that describes my relationship with paper. I may not be a huge fan of cover letters, but I do appreciate what they can do for candidates that a mediocre resume might not. Your cover letter can show “a little” about your personality and how you can connect with the company. I think a personal statement is much more effective in this regard. I’ll touch on this later. However, in your cover letter you probably have a situation where you are applying for a job that is not directly related to your field of study. This is your chance to tell us more about how you’re a good fit.
I did this just the other day. I applied for an internship with a dance company here in Pittsburgh. I am majoring in English nonfiction writing and performing arts, and am looking to work in arts administration. So, in my cover letter, I was able to emphasize that although my greatest passion is theater, I have never experienced Pittsburgh’s dance scene and would like to gain skills in a variety of performing arts settings. . I have an interview with them next week.
I also applied for a few jobs that focused on marketing rather than writing. I am not a marketing major and have never taken a marketing class. However, I have experience running social media and a blog, and those qualities could be useful for a marketing-focused job or internship. That’s something you can talk about in your cover letter.
There is also one section of an internship application that is primarily considered better than the cover letter and that is the personal statement. It’s short and condensed. This allows applicants to cut to the chase and explain how they are the right candidate for the job. Since it takes less time to write, it is much easier to be selective about job openings. Although a personal statement may be considered unprofessional, it allows the employer to see the applicant more as someone who wants the job.
These statements are more personal, cutting out all the filler words and talking about who you are, what you’ve studied, what experiences you’ve had, and how this job is for you. You can accurately communicate your goals. There should be less emphasis on jargon related to your skill set. I also think there is room for personal talents, such as resourcefulness or specific areas related to work. A personal statement gives you more room to be yourself.
You can definitely craft more of a personal statement for each job than a one-page cover letter. This allows you to be more selective about your time and dedication to these applications. I have applied for 11 jobs so far in January. I know it’s not a lot, less than one a day, but this is the goal I’m trying to set for myself over the next few weeks so I can lock something down by the time I get closer to graduation.
I sincerely wish all of you who are graduating this spring success in your job search. It is not easy. There are a lot of factors in the world right now that are working against us Gen Z graduates. So even if he submitted one application for a month, I commend you. I’ve heard that some of my colleagues have already landed full-time jobs, gone on to graduate programs, or even moved back to their hometowns from internships they did last summer. Whatever your plans are, know that you are in control. Do what makes you happy.
Abby Dobry primarily writes about life and art.She writes to her at the following address [email protected]