Whether you’re looking for a new job or applying for an internship, a cover letter can be a valuable tool. It’s the first thing an employer will see when they open your application package, and it provides an opportunity to let them know why you’re interested in the position and how your background makes you qualified.
In addition to conveying this information, a good cover letter can also make you stand out from other candidates by showing off your personality and creativity. But what if you want yours to be funny? Is that okay? How do I know what tone is appropriate?
Do I need both a resume and a cover letter when applying online? All these questions and more! are answered in today’s post on how cover letters work.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Using humor in a cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants. |
| It is important to use humor judiciously and ensure that it is appropriate for the job and the company culture. |
| Researching the company and the job posting can give you clues as to whether humor is appropriate. |
| Humor should be relevant to the job or the company, tasteful, and appropriate. |
| Offensive, controversial, or unprofessional humor should be avoided. |
| The amount of humor used should be appropriate for the job and the company culture. |
What’s The Proper Tone For A Cover Letter?
Your cover letter is a way to introduce yourself as well as demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job. To do this, use a friendly tone and make sure that your words reflect your personality. A professional but enthusiastic tone makes it clear that you’re excited about working at the company. For example:
Here’s an example of a good cover letter:
“I’m interested in working for your company because [insert reason]. I think I would be a great fit for [this position] because [insert reasons].”
Here’s what not to do in a cover letter:
Talk about things other than how excited you are about working at the company or how well suited you are for its culture and values.
A well-written cover letter can make all the difference in landing your dream job. Learn more about the importance of cover letters in our career advice article on are cover letters important?.
How Can I Tell What Employers Are Looking For From A Cover Letter?
Do your research. To figure out what to write, you’ll need to figure out who the employer is and what they want from a cover letter. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for you to get this info!
Look at the job description: The first place most people look when they’re trying to figure out what employers are looking for is their job descriptions (or “job postings,” if that’s how they’re labeled). If an employer provides one on their website or in the ad itself, read it carefully it’ll tell you exactly what they expect from applicants.
Go through all of these things: Next, check out anything else that has information about what kind of person the employer wants working there (like their website), as well as any other materials related specifically to this particular job opening, for example, its application form may include questions about whether applicants have experience working with children or not.
If so and if they do your cover letter should mention how much experience you’ve had with them! It’s also worth checking out any relevant news stories about recent hiring decisions made by companies similar in size/scope/etc.,
Since these can sometimes reveal insights into what type of person might be considered ideal for certain types of jobs within those companies’ organizations (i.,e., younger employees tend toward more casual dress codes).
How Much Time Should I Spend On My Cover Letter?
You can spend as much time as you want to make your cover letter perfect. You can spend as little time as possible to make it good. But if you’re going to invest time in writing a cover letter, we recommend spending the majority of that effort on making sure it stands out.
After all, if an employer spends even just 5 seconds on each applicant’s application packet before deciding who will get an interview, think about how flexible their attention will be when they get hundreds of applicants per job posting. The more unique your cover letter is the more memorable the better chance you’ll have at getting noticed and landing an interview!
Is It Okay To Include Information In My Cover Letter That Doesn’t Go Into My Resume?
When you’re writing your cover letter, it’s important to include information that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. This means going beyond what you put on your resume and including some of your most noteworthy qualifications and experiences.
It also means that if there are specific details about the role or company that are listed in a job posting, then make sure those are mentioned somewhere in your cover letter as well. If possible, weave these details into one of the paragraphs where you discuss why you would be a good fit for this particular opportunity.
Are you wondering if cover letters are still necessary in today’s job market? Our career advice article on are cover letters outdated? explores this question and offers valuable insights for job seekers.
What If My Cover Letter Is Longer Than A Page?
If you feel your cover letter needs to be longer than a page, that’s fine. But keep in mind that the person reading it will have little time to read anything more than what they already have.
The best way to do this is by telling them exactly why they want you and how hiring someone like you will be good for both parties.
You can also include a summary of your qualifications or a brief resume if you think it’s necessary. You could even mention a portfolio of work under “Additional Information” or attach it as an attachment directly under where their name would appear on the top right corner of the document (for example: “To Mr./Ms./Mrs.”).
Why Are Cover Letters Important To The Job Search Process?
Cover letters are an important part of your job search process, as they help demonstrate your writing skills, professionalism, and interest in the job.
They also allow you to show that you’ve done some research on the company and its needs.
The cover letter is proof that you’re interested in a particular job vacancy, and that it’s not just any old position. It gives the employer an idea of what kind of work-related experience you have (or claim to have) as well as why you would be good for this specific role at this specific company/organization/institution/etcetera.
Do I Need To Include Both A Cover Letter And A Resume With My Job Application?
With a well-crafted cover letter and resume, you can impress an employer with your skills and qualifications. However, there are some situations when only a cover letter is required.
If you are applying for a job online, it is acceptable to send just the cover letter (with no attached resume). For example, if you find an opening listed on the company’s website, contact information will likely be provided in the job description or elsewhere on the page.
Simply follow their instructions by emailing your application materials directly to that person’s inbox (or fax number).
It’s also important to note that while both documents are important parts of any application package and should therefore be tailored specifically for each position the two documents serve very different purposes: one introduces yourself while the other list your qualifications.
When it comes to writing a cover letter, using personal pronouns can be tricky. Our career advice article on can you use personal pronouns in a cover letter? provides guidance and tips for navigating this topic.
Are There Any Good Examples Of Cover Letters That I Can Look At?
Avoid the cliches
If you go through the internet and browse some of the most popular cover letters, you’ll notice that they all pretty much say the same thing.
For example: “I’m extremely passionate about this company,” or “I have great attention to detail.” While these are good qualities to have in a candidate, they’re not exactly unique. Instead, try and stand out by going against the grain.
For example, don’t say that you’re an excellent communicator or a team player prove it with examples from your resume.
Or if someone has already told you that they love your communication style and ability to work well with others (or whatever), then try saying something different to show off your creativity and diversity in other words:
So I’m told my communication skills are excellent; however [pause], what impresses people is my ability as a writer! See? By writing this letter using alliteration instead of clichés like ‘excellent communication skills, I’ve shown off my ability as an exceptional communicator AND writer!”
What’s Included In A Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a brief introduction letter that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. The purpose of the cover letter is to catch the attention of the hiring manager, demonstrate that you’re interested in the role, and highlight why you are uniquely qualified for it.
A well-written cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager by name, describe what excites you about their company/position/industry, explain why you’re interested in it and highlight some of your qualifications relevant to this position (such as relevant experience or skills).
The ideal length for a cover letter is one page long. It’s important not to go into too much detail about yourself; instead, focus on demonstrating your knowledge of what makes this company unique and addressing any questions they may have about someone with your skill set.
Choosing the right language to use in a cover letter can be challenging. Our career advice article on can you use the word “love” in a cover letter? explores this question and offers helpful advice for job seekers.
Who Do I Address My Cover Letter To When The Hiring Manager Isn’t Named In The Job Listing?
If you don’t know who the hiring manager is, address your letter to the company. A lot of job postings for entry-level roles will just say something like “Career Opportunity at Company X” or “Job Opening at Company X.” In this case, it’s safe to assume that you should send your cover letter and resume to the HR department or hiring manager at that company.
If you don’t know who to address it to (or if there isn’t an obvious hiring manager), then address it directly to them! This can be scary because there’s no guarantee they’ll even read it but hey, that’s what a cover letter is for!
My Resume Is Two Pages Long. Shouldn’t My Cover Letter Be, Too?
A cover letter should be a page long.
Cover letters should be shorter than resumes.
If your cover letter is in a traditional format (single-spaced, 12pt font), it can also be one paragraph or so long maybe even two paragraphs but that’s about it.
The point of your application package as a whole is to demonstrate your qualifications for the position at hand; if you’ve written an incredibly detailed and lengthy letter that goes on for pages and pages, there’s no room left in the applicant pool for anyone else who might have been applying.
If I’m sending an online application directly to an employer, do I still need to send in a traditional paper resume and cover letter, or just one or the other?
If you are applying for a job online, then you should only send in your resume. The employer will most likely not want to read a cover letter if they are expecting an online application.
If you are sending an online application directly to an employer, do I still need to send in a traditional paper resume and cover letter, or just one or the other? It depends on the company! Some companies will ask for both paper applications and electronic ones so that they can compare how each applicant communicates their strengths.
Other companies prefer electronic applications only because it’s easier for them to quickly scan through hundreds of resumes without having papers get lost in the shuffle (or damaged). If you know which type of company is hiring at what time, then make sure that all documents are formatted properly beforehand so as not to delay any potential offers down the road
Transitioning to a new career can be daunting, but a strong cover letter can help. Check out our career advice article on changing fields cover letter: how to do it for tips and guidance on crafting a cover letter when changing fields.
How Should I Write About Education On My Cover Letter If I Didn’t Graduate College?
If you didn’t graduate high school or college, it’s still important to include your education on your resume.
Parents can also add their comments about their children’s accomplishments. Ultimately, the goal is for them to get excited about what you have done and to share that excitement with employers to help you land a job.
If there is something special about your background whether from being raised outside of the United States or having an unusual work experience such as working on a farm you should include this information in your cover letter as well as any other relevant details that demonstrate how well suited you are for the position under consideration.
Conclusion
I hope this has helped you get a better grasp of what a cover letter should look like, and that you’re feeling more confident about writing your own. Remember to keep it short, sweet, and professional; if you need some examples or inspiration for what a great cover letter looks like, check out our resources page for some templates!
Further Reading
Indeed: Can Your Cover Letter Be Funny? – Indeed offers advice on using humor in a cover letter and provides examples of successful humorous cover letters.
Virtual Vocations: How to Use Humor in a Cover Letter – This article from Virtual Vocations offers tips and strategies for using humor in a cover letter to stand out from other applicants.
Career Addict: 7 Funniest Cover Letters – Career Addict shares seven cover letters that successfully used humor to grab the attention of hiring managers.
FAQs
Can I use humor in a cover letter?
Yes, using humor in a cover letter can be a great way to stand out from other applicants and make a memorable impression. However, it is important to use humor judiciously and ensure that it is appropriate for the job and the company culture.
How do I know if humor is appropriate for a particular job or company?
Researching the company and the job posting can give you clues as to whether humor is appropriate. If the company culture is more relaxed and informal, humor may be more acceptable. However, if the job posting is more serious and requires a high level of professionalism, it may be best to avoid using humor.
What are some tips for using humor in a cover letter?
Some tips for using humor in a cover letter include keeping it relevant to the job or the company, avoiding offensive or controversial humor, and keeping it tasteful and appropriate. It can also be helpful to have someone else read your cover letter to ensure that the humor is well-received.
Are there any types of humor that should be avoided in a cover letter?
Humor that is offensive, controversial, or could be interpreted as unprofessional should be avoided in a cover letter. This includes jokes about race, gender, religion, or politics, as well as humor that is sexual in nature or could be seen as mocking or disrespectful.
How much humor should I include in my cover letter?
The amount of humor you should include in your cover letter depends on the job and the company culture. In general, it is best to use humor sparingly and ensure that it does not overshadow the more important aspects of your qualifications and experience.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.