# Anyone want to help me with a cover letter or twenty?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [May 13, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200 "2008-05-13T20:17:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/1 "2008-05-13T20:17:54Z")
As a quasi-extension of [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=467882), where I am lamenting the fact I will never get a decent job, I have started this thread to try to remedy that. I have applied to dozens and dozens of jobs over the past few years, and barely any of them even wrote me back to say “sorry.” It’s a combination of my resume, which I can do nothing about (you can’t put down experience you don’t have,) and my shitty, shitty cover letters. They come off like something a five-year old would write. They look like this:
Dear [company],
I saw your ad for [job title.] I would like this job. I like your company, you do neat things. I am skilled for this job because I graduated from college like everyone else applying for the job too, but also I worked for a couple years doing something that’s barely tangentially related. Hire me please, lol.
I just don’t know what to say, or how to say _enough._ If I tried, I could make it sound nice and professional…for a whopping one paragraph. How do I get a whole fucking letter out of it? I know one suggestion is to list the skills they say they want, and then list how you meet those skills with my education/experience. Well, as I said, I have almost no experience, and (essentially) the same damn education everyone else who’s applying has. Plus, a good 75% of the jobs list skills I _don’t_ have, so sure, maybe I can list the two I do meet, but they might get suspicious when the other five skills/experiences they are looking for are absent.
As proof of my inept-ness, here is an actual letter I wrote just now:
> [@](#):
>
> Dear Hiring Manager,
>
> I am writing to you in regards to the job posting for [job title and reference ID]. I feel that I would be an ideal match for this position, and would love to join the [company name] team, which has always been recognized as a world-leader in the medical device field.
>
> A more traditional mechanical or electrical engineering graduate is always going to be at a slight disadvantage when starting out in the medical device industry, but my education in biomedical engineering has prepared me for working with medical devices. I have knowledge of the FDA approval process, what materials are and are not bio-compatible, and the common problems that can occur with medical devices, from rejection of implants to electrical safety concerns.
>
> In addition, I have experience working in a clinical setting with a wide-array of medical devices. As a biomedical technician, I was responsible for the repair, inspection, and maintenance of over 1,000 different devices, ranging from infusion pumps to heart monitors to surgical equipment. I have seen common problems that can occur with these devices, and can offer a unique perspective on how to avoid these problems with future products.
>
> Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.
>
> Sincerely,
> [my name]
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### Author:  [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2008, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/2 "2008-05-13T20:40:39Z")
**bouv** , you are facing difficult enough challenges without mentally hammering yourself into a hole so that they look even worse than they are. (I say this after having just posted to your other thread.) I say that because the stupid cover letter you first post as illustrative of your abilities (“I would like this job; you do neat things”) does not reflect that real cover letter you propose to send, which actually is pretty decent. So please stop tearing yourself down like that; it’s not warranted and it makes it harder to believe in you, because you seem so invested in not believing in yourself. As to your cover letter, my remarks in bold:
> [@](#):
>
> I am writing to you in regards to the job posting for [job title and reference ID]. I feel that I would be an ideal match for this position, and would love to join the [company name] team, which has always been recognized as a world-leader in the medical device field.**Delete second sentence as unnecessary filler. They know you want the job and they know their own position in the field. FYI, my stock opener is “Enclosed please find my resume, reference list, and [list other application materials], which I submit in application for the position of [job title and reference number].”**
>
> A more traditional mechanical or electrical engineering graduate is always going to be at a slight disadvantage when starting out in the medical device industry . . . **No, never point out your shortcomings or why you are at a disadvantage; you are selling yourself. Delete this.**. . . My education in biomedical engineering has prepared me for working with medical devices. **Can you add a bit more here? Prepared you how?** I have knowledge of the FDA approval process, what materials are and are not bio-compatible, and the common problems that can occur with medical devices, from rejection of implants to electrical safety concerns.
>
> In addition, I have experience working in a clinical setting with a wide-array of medical devices. As a biomedical technician, I was responsible for the repair, inspection, and maintenance of over 1,000 different devices, ranging from infusion pumps to heart monitors to surgical equipment. I have seen common problems that can occur with these devices, and can offer a unique perspective on how to avoid these problems with future products.
>
> **I would add a transition sentence like, "I would appreicate the opportunities to put my education and experience to work at/for [Company].** Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.
There ya go.
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### Author:  [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/3 "2008-05-13T20:50:20Z")
First of all, NEVER EVER even allude to anything negative about your experience or your education in your cover letter or resume. This is your chance to sell yourself so don’t mention your lack of experience, mention your drive and excellent people skills.
Second, the good part about a cover letter is that it allows you to expand a bit on your resume. Great with people? Fast learner? Put it in the cover letter! Also this is the place to prove you have done some research on the company. For example, if you are applying for a position with a company and you see that their website mentions that the company was founded in 1913 and that President Taft was the VP of the company after his term in office mention how much you would love to work for such a stable company that has employed such an esteemed individual as former President Taft.
This is the first thing the company sees so make sure it is positive, spelled correctly, and shows that you know something about the company you are contacting.
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### Author:  [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/4 "2008-05-13T20:56:43Z")
That doesn’t look so bad. I would avoid drawing attention to you shortcomings (first sentence, second paragrah) and just focus on what strengths and experience you do have. In my experience, job descriptions are something of a wish list. Many employers are willing to sacrifice a few items on the list if you are strong in some of the others. Just keep it to a few paragraphs outlining your most pertinent experience. I’d also tone down stuff like “ideal match” and “unique perspective.” Maybe “excellent match” and “experienced perspective.”
Also, I wouldn’t obsess too much about the cover letter. I think it is sort of a dying breed. Some companies don’t even ask for one–they just want to cut to the resume. Finally, don’t be afraid to put in training or experience with things that aren’t in the job description, but might be useful in general.
Good luck and don’t let it get you down. I found it useful during my last lay-off just to set a goal to get a certain number of applications out or letters written or research done every day. Then stop and put it behind you, like you would a regular job. The problem with graduate school is that you always feel like there is more work to be done (there is) and down time is “wasted time.” That, as you know, leads to burnout very quickly.
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### Author:  [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/5 "2008-05-13T21:31:25Z")
I’ve received an interview for every job I’ve ever applied for - even those I wasn’t remotely qualified for, based on my cover letters.
Now that the creditials/bragging are out of the way, I would modify your letter as such:
> [@](#):
>
> Re: Job Title, Reference ID, ABC Corp
>
> Dear Joe Boggs (always get a name if you can – I’m sure you know that, but just to reiterate:
>
> It gives me great pleasure to write this letter to express my interest in the aforementioned position. Based on my job experience, educational history and personal qualifications, I would be an ideal match for this position. Further, it would give me great pride to work at [Company X] which has an international reputation as a world leader in the medical device field.
>
> As you’ll note from the attached resume, I have educational experience in biomedical engineering which will certainly give me an important advantage when working with medical devices. Additionally, I have knowledge of the FDA approval process, what materials are and are not bio-compatible, and the common problems that can occur with medical devices, from rejection of implants to electrical safety concerns – this knowledge will be an important asset to your company.
>
> Furthermore, I have experience working in a clinical setting with a wide-array of medical devices. As a biomedical technician, I was responsible for the repair, inspection, and maintenance of over 1,000 different devices, ranging from infusion pumps to heart monitors to surgical equipment. I have seen common problems that can occur with these devices, and can offer a unique perspective on how to avoid these problems with future products.
>
> I look forward to setting up a meeting at your convenience to further discuss my qualifications. Please contact me at xxx-xxx-xxxx during the day or e-mail me at xxx@xxxxx.xxxx.
>
> Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter.
>
> Sincerely,
> [my name]
Good luck!
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### Author:  [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/6 "2008-05-14T01:49:01Z")
Alright, I guess the first sentence of the second paragraph _seems_ like it’s describing my shortcomings, but it’s not…it’s describing the shortcomings of _other_ possible applicants. I have a degree in biomedical engineering, and the positions at company XYZ all listed the desired degrees to be mechanical, electrical, or biomedical. So I’m trying to make the other guys look bad, but I guess it just comes off as making myself possibly look bad.
And **alice\_in\_wonderland** , I don’t know if I CAN get a name…It’s a completely online application process (through their website, not monster or careerbuilder or anythihng) and basically I apply for as many jobs as I clicked on in the job search. There are about five or six different ones, all over the country, so each one could possibly have a different HR person. And since all the jobs use the same cover letter, it would be odd to put a name in.
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### Author:  [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2008, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/7 "2008-05-14T04:06:54Z")
[QUOTE=bouv]
And **alice\_in\_wonderland** , I don’t know if I CAN get a name…It’s a completely online application process (through their website, not monster or careerbuilder or anythihng) and basically I apply for as many jobs as I clicked on in the job search. There are about five or six different ones, all over the country, so each one could possibly have a different HR person. And since all the jobs use the same cover letter, it would be odd to put a name in.
[/QUOTE]
Ah. Well, I would probably sir/madam it then.
I meant to add that it may not be the hiring manager that reviews your letter - depending on the company it could be the COO, the Head of HR or the janitor - I would leave it a bit more open (that’s just me though)
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### Author:  [@NajaSong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaSong)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/8 "2008-05-14T18:20:30Z")
[QUOTE=alice\_in\_wonderland]
Ah. Well, I would probably sir/madam it then.
I meant to add that it may not be the hiring manager that reviews your letter - depending on the company it could be the COO, the Head of HR or the janitor - I would leave it a bit more open (that’s just me though)
[/QUOTE]
While you’re on this topic, when lacking a name is it better to address to Sir/Madam rather than “To Whom It May Concern?”
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### Author:  [@Tabula\_Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabula_Rasa)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/9 "2008-05-14T21:06:07Z")
[QUOTE=Lady DeathKraft]
While you’re on this topic, when lacking a name is it better to address to Sir/Madam rather than “To Whom It May Concern?”
[/QUOTE]
“Sir/Madam” “To Whom It May Concern” is appropriate only when dictating a deathbed confession.
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### Author:  [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2008, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/10 "2008-05-14T22:56:10Z")
[QUOTE=Lady DeathKraft]
While you’re on this topic, when lacking a name is it better to address to Sir/Madam rather than “To Whom It May Concern?”
[/QUOTE]
“Sir/Madam”
Believe it or not, it’s slightly more personal than “TWIMC”.
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### Author:  [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2008, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/11 "2008-05-14T23:08:41Z")
Huh…I did not know about “Sir/Madam.” That is to say, I didn’t know that was the preferred way to address it if one couldn’t get a name. And I always knew “To Whom it May Concern” sounds WAY to…_something._. I guess too impersonal?
Anyway, thanks for the help, and we’ll see how this job search goes…
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### Author:  [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2008, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-want-to-help-me-with-a-cover-letter-or-twenty/449200/12 "2008-05-14T23:25:30Z")
I’ve used “To Whom It May Concern” and have gotten a good number of interviews with a much drier letter than **alice** ’s. Hmmm.