Cover letters?
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- omahadesigns
Keep them short and just attach your resume or send a long thorough letter?
I see some people write cover letters that are three paragraphs and others write some that are three sentences.
How much do you summarize your background in a cover letter?
- karj0
I'd recommend skipping the cover letter. Instead just write a brief introduction in the body of your email—with your resume attached in PDF form.
Those looking at applications tend to have a lot to go through—and, there's little reason to give them more. Besides, an email serves the same purpose that a cover letter used to.
I haven't hired anyone in a while, but when I did, I found the process really daunting. You get bombarded by resumes and often don't have the time you should, to put into reviewing them—so, you start taking shortcuts.
I rarely ever even read the cover letters I received. Instead I'd just skip to the portfolio. If that looked good, I'll then scan the resume. After that, I'd read any other content provided. (If the portfolio was weak, I skipped the other stuff altogether.)
One other tip: Try to not have anything in your cover letter (or email, in this case) that replicates what's in your resume. Instead, use the email as an opportunity to quickly explain why you're applying, what you find interesting about the job/company, and why you think you're a good fit.
I could be completely wrong on all of this, so take it for what it's worth. That said, I hope it helps, and wish you the best with the new gig. :-)
- I always put the cover letter as the email body. Sorry for the confusion.omahadesigns
- But the rest applies, thanks!omahadesigns
- You're most welcome!karj
- bklyndroobeki0
Bump.
autonoma did this
http://hoefler.amillionthingstod…i'd reserve this for a company i'm really in to.
what's the protocol w/ cover letters today? designers... developers, do you send them?
- formed0
If you write one, make sure it is relevant. I've received one or two that impressed me, others that were clearly generic and looked unimpressive.
A few paragraphs is plenty. Even one well thought out and relevant paragraph would impress (vs. nothing or a generic that you just changed company names).
It is also an opportunity to explain something that might not read well in your resume. I had a few that were not clear candidates, but seemed interesting enough that if they explained why they were applying I would have interviewed.