Kim Connor Streich
We had no idea cover letters were such a divisive topic.
Not until, of course, we decided to dive head-first into a #DebutTalk discussion about them. Cover letters are generally looked upon as highly important. However we were genuinely surprised by the variety of advice we received from our users about them. This week’s chat yielded a veritable ton of actionable tips – and as always, we cover our favourite ones here just for you.
Notably, we were joined by our very first guest host this week! Melissa Woollard (@Melissa_FK), Commercial Manager of Fun Kids Radio joined us this week to dish on her cover letter writing and reviewing experience. Thanks for all of your wisdom, Melissa!
Q1. Which is more important, the cover letter or the CV?
Our guest host Melissa said:
A1: Cover letters will give employers their very first impression of you. It often decides if they look at your CV. Make it count #DebutTalk
– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
Our #DebutTalk participants said:
Both! I’d say both documents are complimentary to one another. Important to get both right the first time. #DebutTalk https://t.co/rFkAm0FB6O
– Jonathan Warner?? (@JonathanRomelle) January 19, 2017
A1. The cover letter can give you that edge. Lets your interviewer know what your attitude and achievements are from the jump #DebutTalk https://t.co/8rcX07y2zz
– Alex Ekong (@andthenalexsaid) January 19, 2017
A1: I think cover letters say more about you as a person, and give the chance to speak, rather than a removed, numerical based CV #DebutTalk https://t.co/gvlHhvItXF
– Elizabeth Hurst (@BethHursty) January 19, 2017
@DebutCareers honestly, I’m personally against cover letters, and I honestly believe that CV won’t last that long either. #DebutTalk
– Ben Donkor вљЎпёЏ (@FR314) January 19, 2017
Q2. What should you never write in a cover letter?
Our guest host Melissa said:
A2: The wrong company name is a definite no-no. It has happened – make sure it doesn’t happen to you! #DebutTalk
– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
Our #DebutTalk participants said:
@DebutCareers A2. Anything that your CV proves isn’t true or anything that you can’t talk about if asked during an interview. #DebutTalk
– Zaki Dogliani (@ZakiDogliani) January 19, 2017
A2: DON’T repeat your CV – take a few points, yes, but show that you know what the company does & why YOU want to work for THEM. #DebutTalk https://t.co/CCXj4NtFLc
– Sorfina Shamsudin (@SorfinaMusic) January 19, 2017
A2: (a) Buzzwords! Nobody wants to know if you’re the 15th “passionate” candidate in a row. It’s not a Mills and Boon novel! #DebutTalk https://t.co/RA5RIZ4j0y
– Jonathan Warner?? (@JonathanRomelle) January 19, 2017
A2: (b) and overly personal covering letters. Personality can be shared for the interview. The papers are strictly business. #DebutTalk https://t.co/RA5RIZ4j0y
– Jonathan Warner?? (@JonathanRomelle) January 19, 2017
A2. Any lies can be picked apart quickly. Don’t Pinocchio your way through your application, no matter how tempting. #DebutTalk https://t.co/JydD1YKoF3
– Brenda Wong ?? (@brendaisarebel) January 19, 2017
Q2: “Dear [wrong name because you’re applying for multiple jobs and did a quick copy and paste job] I would LOVE to work for you” #DebutTalk https://t.co/j2OVyDCjrh
– Rich Cooper (@richcooper) January 19, 2017
@DebutCareers A2. Non authentic language: no need to “beef up” your lingo to appear like you read the Oxford Dictionary for sport #DebutTalk
– Ben Donkor вљЎпёЏ (@FR314) January 19, 2017
@DebutCareers A2. Also – don’t write in different formats, interviewer could easily think you’ve copied pieces from diff sites. #DebutTalk
– Ben Donkor вљЎпёЏ (@FR314) January 19, 2017
Q3. How long should a cover letter be, and why?
Our guest host Melissa said:
A3: Be concise, a couple of paragraphs, but no more than an A4 page. Employers are busy people. #DebutTalk
– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
A3: I follow this rule:
1) A LITTLE about you
2) Something you like about the company
3) Why you want the job#DebutTalk– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
A3: I like to hold some anecdotes back for the actual interview. You don’t want to tell your entire story in a cover letter. #DebutTalk
– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
Our #DebutTalk participants said:
A3: I usually do an A4 page with four paragraphs max, and an impactful, confident sign off #Hireme #DebutTalk https://t.co/aDv81mXk2s
– Elizabeth Hurst (@BethHursty) January 19, 2017
A3. There aren’t a lot of things you can’t get across in 3 or 4 paragraphs. No more than a side of A4 imo #DebutTalk https://t.co/BqeQ4GSfWk
– Alex Ekong (@andthenalexsaid) January 19, 2017
A3: A side of A4, keep it relevant to the company and specific role being applied to. #DebutTalk https://t.co/h8Uf8oHRho
– André Walters (@_andrewalters) January 19, 2017
A3. Agree with all the length advice. However STRUCTURE is also key – vary length of sentences and paragraphs to keep it visual #DebutTalk https://t.co/fzyeYHQGJG
– Brenda Wong ?? (@brendaisarebel) January 19, 2017
Q4. Should you be more formal or more conversational in a cover letter?
Our guest host Melissa said:
Formal or conversational? @Melissa_FK weighs in:#DebutTalk https://t.co/D42QKa0yOD
– Debut (@DebutCareers) January 19, 2017
A4: Style matching your cover letter to the job application itself is key. If the company seem fun don’t be too formal. #DebutTalk
– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
Our #DebutTalk participants said:
A4: I go for formal w/ a hint of personality – it’s like the impression before the “first impression”. Gotta win them over bruh ? #DebutTalk https://t.co/qJpcfszyYs
– Sorfina Shamsudin (@SorfinaMusic) January 19, 2017
A4: It always depends on the job, but just like you can never be overdressed or overeducated, you can’t really be too formal #DebutTalk https://t.co/C1q6pCcWVD
– Elizabeth Hurst (@BethHursty) January 19, 2017
A4. Always consider who you’re applying for. Stalk their social media accounts – and emulate their copy tone! #DebutTalk https://t.co/7hWv97Fua0
– Brenda Wong ?? (@brendaisarebel) January 19, 2017
Q5. How should people approach writing cover letters if they feel they’re not strong writers?
Our guest host Melissa said:
A5: Start with bullet points and structure the cover letter around them. Always read it aloud to yourself before you hit send. #DebutTalk
– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
Our #DebutTalk participants said:
A5: Write like you’re eloquently explaining to a friend why you’d like the job you’re applying for. Flowing and natural is good #DebutTalk https://t.co/aWn8LFArFj
– Elizabeth Hurst (@BethHursty) January 19, 2017
A5:
1вѓЈ Believe that they’re valuable, cos’ they are
2вѓЈ Always get a second opinion
3вѓЈ Walk around in the recruiter/reader’s shoes#DebutTalk https://t.co/eBMKTChadL– Brenda Wong ?? (@brendaisarebel) January 19, 2017
A5: Take extra time with it. Get people to proof read it and find a formula that suits you. #DebutTalk https://t.co/ei6LUkQlq1
– April Roach (@aprilroach28) January 19, 2017
Q6. Is it possible to write the perfect, one-size-fits all cover letter?
Our guest host Melissa said:
A6: Employers can ALWAYS tell when a cover letter has been generically copied and pasted to all. Just don’t do it! #DebutTalk
– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
A6: If you’re tempted to write a standard cover letter always include at least a sentence about the company you’re applying for#DebutTalk
– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
A6: No two jobs are exactly the same so no two cover letters should be exactly the same either. #DebutTalk
– Melissa (@Melissa_FK) January 19, 2017
Our #DebutTalk participants said:
It’s fine to copy examples of relevant experience. But always start with what the employer has written first. #DebutTalk
– Cat Turhan (@cattyfantastic) January 19, 2017
A6. Nah, you HAVE to tailor it. Different jobs will want different skills highlighted. Personalisation makes all the difference! #DebutTalk https://t.co/oegAYWcR9C
– Alex Ekong (@andthenalexsaid) January 19, 2017
A6. No, have a basic template to work from but every application should have a unique letter #DebutTalk https://t.co/jNwzpH3Z7y
– Matt Thomas (@MattfromDebut) January 19, 2017
A6:’Perfection is shallow, unreal, and fatally uninteresting” – Anne Lamott. Just do you #DebutTalk https://t.co/SwvGSkHyxJ
– Elizabeth Hurst (@BethHursty) January 19, 2017
For even more insights, check out our #DebutTalk: Cover Letters Twitter Moment.
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A huge thank you to our guest @Melissa_FK for hosting #DebutTalk this week!
And a huge thanks to everyone who took part. What a sesh! pic.twitter.com/Ii9JAYw7lE– Debut (@DebutCareers) January 19, 2017
Next week’s #DebutTalk:
Next week’s #DebutTalk is going to be ?!
A special guest will be joining us to talk about Diversity at work.
Join us, next Thursday 5pm. pic.twitter.com/i1ERZgYlPS– Debut (@DebutCareers) January 19, 2017
