Your Cover Letter Boosts Your Resume

Yes, you read the title correctly. The one paper you dread writing could actually increase your chances of topping the stack of papers on your future supervisor's desk. What better way to stand out among the dozens of applicants than to include your unique cover letter?

Unless you a.) work alongside other cover letter writers or b.) are a member of a cover letter writers network, it is unlikely that you will hear why precisely this is as important as I say it is. For starters, you can use it to create your own performance evaluation, take accountability for your accomplishments, or go into detail about that vague career gap in your resume (a career gap is up to you whether to include it or not). Other reasons include:

• addressing future projects or suggestions for so-and-so company
• explaining the relationship of a personal or professional reference
• highlighting your professional development
• introducing yourself before an interview
• (my personal favorite) pointing out any grammatical errors in the job post
  

Overall, it shows motivation and personality, that you are serious about your job hunt. While I can bore you with twenty other reasons, these are the ones in my top 5. 

Collecting the Data

Writing a cover letter is far less complex if you have the proper data. A simple phone call with a client, intake sessions, and questionnaires are all great methods of gathering data to input into the letter. This way, the writer can identify the client's strengths, weaknesses, and, most importantly, goals. A cover letter writer can also utilize a client's desired job posts, academic achievements, references, volunteer work, past resumes and cover letters, and performance evaluations. Below is a cover letter I recently submitted to get a gig editing AI-generated content. It could be better, but it got me the job. Here, I do not mention anything about my current job as a parking garage porter because my skills there are irrelevant to editing AI content. Right off the bat, I go into my professional development to transition jobs and job goals. Though there are a few points I would have changed. 

Dear User,

I have spent the past two months focusing on professional development to transition from my current job to proofreading. Proofreading sparks my interest because it is an entry-level position that requires light editing after the content has been formatted and typeset. At this stage, I can grow my skills to the point where I can perform line editing and developmental editing, which will lead me to book coaching. Even though I have obtained a certification in editing, I know it takes more than that to secure a job. As an avid reader and learner of a second language for over ten years, I have developed a keen sense of logical flow and a willingness to get to grips with grammar.

My experience as an English as a Second Language teacher (in South Korea) and technical translator helped me enhance my communication skills, intercultural skills, and eye for detail. During my teaching experience, I took pride in recognizing cultural differences in the classroom. It could be something as trivial as using an incorrect title for older people. It is always important to embrace the culture you are living in. Though my job as a technical translator was short-lived, I was grateful for the opportunity. Translating Standard Operating Procedures and editing and formatting the data for our technical writers team was a challenge.

With my recently attained knowledge about proofreading and editing, I am well-equipped to jump into the field. I will attach my resume to this cover letter so you can see more of my background.

My method

A simple method I like to use consists of three parts: Trait, validation, and personalization.

Final Words of Wisdom

Self-writing job seekers, too, can experience writer's block and a slew of other hurdles. Not knowing what to include, standing out among other applicants, ranking important data to not-so-important data, all of these, and more can hinder the job-seeking process, causing many potential hires to fold in the process. Thus, handing the job to Bob, who typed an entire paragraph about his trip to South Korea during his career gap. Or Janet, the former principal, who was able to point out seven grammatical errors in the job post. Or the recent high school graduate Grant, who went into detail about the guidance counselor who stuck around after hours to help him apply to colleges.

Let's not think of the cover letter as the Mount Everest of tasks or the butt bread of the loaf. Instead, consider it your resume's booster seat, proudly heightening you to your fullest potential.