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Totally with you on this one. You know what's weirdly helped? Pretending like I'm writing a cover letter for someone else — someone like a sibling or a friend I really care about. For me, this helps lift some of the imposter-y, fraud-y, oh-god-I'm-a-professional-writer-and-I-can't-write-a-simple-cover-letter anxiety that comes up with these things. Singing your own praises can be tough, but singing someone else's praises? Much easier. This same mindset has also been helpful with negotiating raises/promotions, interviewing for a job, etc. Good luck, and hope that helps.
Exactly. It can be way harder to write positively about oneself. Totally normally for those of us who aren’t narcissists.
Think of your cover letter as a concept exercise. One of the best cover letters I wrote was a tongue-in-cheek piece with “10 reasons why you should hire me.” The woman who owned the company said she read it to her husband in bed, because it was so funny yet hit all her pain points. And it showed my ability to write well. She called it one of the most memorable cover letters she’d ever read.
That’s right. Reinvent what a cover letter is. Abandon the conventional way.
Me: *writes a personal cover letter tailored to company*
Company: *sends automated generic rejection email, which doesn’t even include my name*
Lots of truth in the other two comments. Being yourself is the most important thing you can do. Years ago, after months of interviewing in the “proper way” (all buttoned up, tie, mirroring the interviewer, etc.), I ended up getting the job because of my “energy”. Meaning, I sat back, put my hands behind my head, and was just the chill version of me. Same goes for the cover letter. Try just being you. This isn’t school and there are no rules that “need” to be followed. Also, my partner is a therapist and we talk about the psychological notion of “imposter syndrome” a lot. You’re not crazy for feeling like an imposter, it’s a strange, natural inclination for people that excel but are humble. Remember that when you write your letter, that feeling you have of not being worthy, others have it too. And that could help. A lot of times our success is based on praise from others we see as having “done it”. But just like our parents, everyone is making it up as they go. Good luck.
Never written one, and won't work anywhere that requires one. Easy.
Just be earnest. Don’t try and over conceptualize your cover letter. Paragraph is all you need.
“I’m me, here’s my backstory, I like your work or am interested in joining your team for x y and z reasons. I think strategy is important. Here’s a link to my book. “
Use language that makes you sound collaborative(which you also should be)
Keep it short and sweet, make a comment on one of the pieces they’ve worked on, and link to your portfolio. Done.
1. Keep it short.
2. Skip BS.
3. Leave them smiling.