Favorite cover letters

 from https://www.askamanager.org/2019/11/this-is-one-of-my-favorite-cover-letters-ever.html?mc_cid=3d10933737&mc_eid=[27142f6030]

Today I’m sharing with you one of my favorite cover letters of all time.

This is a superb example of how to use your cover letter to make a strong case for yourself without resorting to repeating your resume … which is the most common mistake I see people make.

The caveats I’ve learned to give when sharing these:

• The writer has allowed me to share this here as a favor to me and to readers. Please remember he’s a real person when you’re commenting.
• This writer’s voice is his voice. It will not be your voice, and that’s part of the point.
•There is no single cover letter in the world that all hiring managers will love or that would be the right fit for every employer and every industry. But I receive letters every week from people telling me that moving in this sort of direction worked for them.
• Do not steal this letter or even parts of it. It works because it’s so customized to the writer. It’s intended for inspiration only — to show what the advice here can look like in practice. Stealing it will doom you to terrible job search luck.

Here’s the letter, with identifying details removed (and marked in brackets).

•   •   •   •   •

Dear Members of the Search Committee,

I am excited to apply for the Director of Content position at [new media company].

After my first week of working in [related field] as an [entry level position] and observing how [employer’s] Program Director managed the station, something inside me clicked and I knew being a program director was what I wanted to do. I think it was the attention to detail — crafting the sound of a station, creating great content, and making memorable listener experiences.

Fast forward to 2019 where recently, I had occasion to fill in as [radio show] host. Imagine my delight when preparing for the shift, I saw a sticky note written by our substitute [other radio show] host and posted in the studio with specific reminders about her delivery — the very attention to detail and opportunities she and I have been discussing since she first began hosting. It was a powerful reminder of my crucial role in working with on-air talent to make sure [my current media company] sounds as good as possible.

From coaching on-air hosts, to upholding [my specific field’s] core values, to something seemingly as routine as [specific task done in my field], it’s all part of managing the station’s complete sound, no matter how that sound is being consumed. I bring this enthusiasm to the job every day because [my field] makes a difference in people’s lives. It’s what gets me out of bed in the morning – some days much earlier than others. [anecdotal and relevant due to the specific nature of the work].

I’ve enjoyed visiting [city] every summer for the past six years. As a listener and a colleague, I’ve also enjoyed observing the success of [organization] both during my visits and from afar. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my passion and experience to [new media company]. I look forward to talking with you about ways to help grow [company’s] tradition of exemplary public service in [city].

Thank you for your consideration, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Name]