Jobseekers’ Diaries by Andromachi Kokkinou - In Search for the Perfect Cover Letter

Always looking, always searching. Double-check your CV, write your cover letter. After a point it turns into a routine. I don’t want to admit it, but I think an application written by a bored person definitely shows. The recipe is known – copy and paste the company name, change a few things here and there- even better, don’t change anything apart from names because who cares anymore? I got the same suggestion several times: Don’t bother. It’s not going to be read anyway. I do not think this is good advice, though, because it is self-defeating in the first place.

Sometimes, if I’m really interested in a position and stressed to show how much I would like to work there, I am tempted to respond with a brief introduction like this:

“Dear Mr. So-and-so,
I am writing to express my interest in the X position because I strongly believe I will be awesome in this job. I am going to be so awesome because I say so and you better believe me and hire me.
Yours sincerely,
Perfect Candidate”

Ok, it is obvious this went a little too far. I don’t give any reasons for hiring me except for my self-proclaimed awesomeness. Not to mention that the “you better” bit sounded a tad intimidating. Losing my patience or attempting to over-impress do not get me anywhere, so I make a commitment never to send this kind of hotheaded motivation letter.

The ideal cover letter still haunts me. When I attempt to match all my skills to the job description, I end up with an epic poem. I get this lengthy list of all tiny details wondering if anyone will have the patience to read it.

Then there’s the “just wing it” advice. Do what comes to mind, don’t plan extensively. If all else fails, go with the flow. But how to do that in such a structured procedure? So far, I’ve come to see that the key is balance. I get the best chances when I don’t overthink but at the same time pay close attention to the requirements. Apart from common sense advice (like the above, to be avoided, example) there is no set method.

Note to self: Even in a predetermined process, there’s a place for both adventure and harmony. Even the smallest thing can make a difference.